Drop slumping Will Smith in NLCS lineup? Dodgers manager has surprise response

MILWAUKEE –– Shohei Ohtani might be absorbing much of the negative attention around the Dodgers lately.But it’s catcher Will Smith who has been the team’s biggest offensive problem so far this postseason.In a 2–1 loss to the Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday night, the perennial All-Star’s recent struggles finally came into sharper, harsher focus.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Never miss a story He went hitless for the fourth time in five games in these playoffs.He bounced into a double play –– the first of three for the Dodgers on the night –– that killed a potential first-inning rally against Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski.On the bright side, he drew a walk and didn’t strike out (something he had done seven times in the last three games).However, the veteran slugger is now a glaring 1-for-19 in this year’s playoffs –– prompting manager Dave Roberts to be asked whether the 31-year-old needs to be dropped from the No.

3 spot of the batting order.His answer was somewhat of a surprise.“It’s a fair question,” Roberts acknowledged.“But right now, I still like him at the top of the order.”The numbers, even in a small postseason sample, tell a different story to this point, with Teoscar Hernández and maybe even Andy Pages playing like better options for such a crucial part of the lineup.Hernández had two hits Sunday, raising his postseason average to .250.

Pages drove in the Dodgers’ only run, and is now 5-for-11 with three RBIs in the last three games.Smith, meanwhile, seems to have lost the swing that helped him hit .354 over his last 16 regular seasons, following a three-month absence earlier this summer with a neck injury.He was not in the Dodgers’ clubhouse postgame during the period that was open ...