The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for a crucial series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, seeking to avoid a sweep after a disappointing loss on Wednesday night. The Dodgers, currently holding an 82-57 record, find themselves in a tight race for playoff positioning, trailing the Atlanta Braves by half a game for the second spot in the National League.
Before the matchup, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed significant changes to the lineup, particularly regarding catcher Will Smith, who recently made his return from the injured list. Smith had been sidelined since early June due to an inflamed disc in his neck, but he was activated on September 1 and has been working to regain his form.
In his first game back on Tuesday, Smith played as the starting catcher and contributed with a solid performance, going 1-for-5 at the plate while driving in two runs. However, he was given a day off on Wednesday to rest, and now he is set to return to the lineup for the critical game against the Cardinals, batting fifth in the order.
Alongside Smith's return, the Dodgers have opted to rest key players Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy for the finale. This decision reflects the team's strategy to manage player fatigue as they approach the final stretch of the regular season. The lineup for Thursday's game will feature T. Edman in center field, M. Betts at shortstop, T. Hernández in left field, F. Freeman at first base, W. Smith catching, M. Rojas at second base, K. Tucker in right field, A. Call as the designated hitter, and E. Hernández at third base, with T. Skubal taking the mound as the starting pitcher.
Will Smith's contributions to the Dodgers have been significant throughout the 2026 season. In his eighth year in Major League Baseball, he has participated in 54 games, amassing 179 at-bats with a batting average of .246. His season stats include 44 hits, six home runs, and 25 RBIs, along with a slugging percentage of .380 and an OPS of .713. Smith's experience and skills have made him a vital asset for the Dodgers, as he is a three-time All-Star and has won three World Series championships during his career, totaling 134 home runs and 467 RBIs.
As the Dodgers approach the postseason, securing a top seed is critical. If they fail to secure one of the top two spots in the National League, they would face the challenge of competing in a best-of-three Wild Card series against the sixth-seeded team. The outcome of the series against the Cardinals will play a significant role in shaping the Dodgers' playoff path, making Thursday's game a must-win for the team.
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