Full Breakdown
Dodgers Move Slumping All-Star Will Smith to Fifth Spot for NLCS Game 2
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
For Game 2 of the 2026 National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers shifted catcher Will Smith from the No. 3 spot to the No. 5 position in the batting order. The change follows Smith’s 1-for-19 performance in the postseason, including a hitless showing in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Brewers on October 11, 2026. The Dodgers still start Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound and keep Shohei Ohtani in the cleanup spot.
Background & Context
Smith entered the 2026 season after a three-month absence due to a neck injury. He posted 10 home runs, 34 RBIs, and a .781 OPS in 73 regular-season games—well below his career .829 OPS and his .901 OPS from the prior season. Historically a postseason catalyst, Smith recorded only a single hit (a single) in the NLDS and went 0-for-3 in Game 1 of the NLCS. Across the Dodgers’ five postseason games, he has logged just one hit in 19 at-bats, striking out seven times and walking once.
Data & Statistics
- Postseason line: 1-for-19, 7 strikeouts, 1 walk.
- Regular season: 10 HR, 34 RBI, .781 OPS (career OPS .829; 2025 OPS .901).
- Exit velocity: In Game 1, Smith’s three batted balls all exceeded 95 mph, the only player in that game to do so.
Official Statements & Responses
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed media speculation about removing Smith from the top of the order.
Why It Matters
The Dodgers trail the Brewers 1-0 in the best-of-seven series. Moving Smith down the order reduces the immediate impact of his slump at the crucial No. 3 spot while preserving his defensive presence behind the plate. The adjustment also promotes Teoscar Hernández to the third position, offering a player who posted two hits in Game 1 and holds a .250 postseason average.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That’s just not going to happen,” — Dave Roberts, prompting manager
Pitching Matchup Overview
Game 2 features a repeat of the low-scoring duel from Game 1. The Dodgers will start right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who posted a 2.14 ERA in 11 postseason games, including a seven-inning, one-run effort in the NLDS. The Brewers counter with right-hander Logan Henderson, who earned a win against the Dodgers in two regular-season meetings and previously delivered five scoreless innings in the NLDS.
What’s Next
Game 2 is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Central Time on October 12, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and will be televised on FOX/FS1. The outcome will determine whether the series shifts to a 2-0 lead for Milwaukee or returns to parity.