Dodgers: Will Smith’s Record-Breaking Performance in Game 3 of the NLDS
It seemed like Thursday night in Arlington was full of record-breaking performances for the Dodgers. Justin Turner broke the franchise postseason hit record, Julio Urias struck out more batters than any franchise reliever, and Will Smith did something that no catcher in MLB history has done.
When Will lined a double down the right-field line in the 9th inning last night, he became the first catcher in history to collect five hits in a playoff game. Funny enough, Will came into this game without a postseason hit to his name in 2020.
The Dodgers' Will Smith is the first catcher in baseball history with a five-hit game in the postseason and only the ninth player ever to reach five hits in a playoff game.
He is an absolute star. Scary that the Dodgers keep drafting and developing this well.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 9, 2020
Smith doubled twice and singled three different times throughout the course of the game. He was a big part of the reason the Dodgers were able to dominate the Padres en route to an NLDS series sweep. Smith drove in three runs and left just one man on base.
That wasn’t the only record that he broke with that fifth hit though. Smith also broke the franchise mark for playoff hits in a game by any Dodgers player.
Will Smith had no hits this postseason entering today. He has now set the Dodger playoff record with five hits in a game.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) October 9, 2020
Offensive production from the catching position has not been a luxury afforded to the Dodgers for quite some time now. Yasmani Grandal was arguably their best offensive catcher in a long time, but he had a tendency to disappear during the playoffs. Will Smith and Austin Barnes seem to be completely flipping that narrative on its head in 2020.
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Dodgers Move On to the Championship Series With Dominant Win Over the Padres
The Dodgers receiving potent offense from the catching position in the playoffs has not happened in many years. If we can get 2nd base to produce the Dodgers will be even more able to score runs.
Hopefully, Rios is physically able to perform and they drop Lux from the playoff roster and restore Rios. They never said what physical injury Rios had.
If I were Roberts I would drop Jansen and add Sborz or White but I do not think he has the courage or intestinal fortitude. They play 7 games in 7 days having another guy like White that can soak up innings and opposing players are not familiar with could help. Jansen is done this year. Why carry him if you are afraid to use him?
I disagree on Jansen. He has put in years of stellar service for the Dodgers. He deserves to be a full member of this team when they finally get their long awaited championship. I would even give him an inning or two in certain spots, but not as the closer. Like Kershaw and Turner, he deserves to be there as a Dodger all time great more than most. It’s tough enough to tell him you can’t close. It would be heartless to tell him you can’t be part of it at all. And heart is a big part of what makes a team work.
That’s going way too far. Jansen, with his heart condition, showed up, everybody on the team respects him, and he gave up runs in 4 games this year, compared to Graterol, who gave up runs in 7 games. If he’s not sharp enough to close games, they have several alternatives, but replacing him for the likes of Sborz or White would be outright betrayal, terrible idea, his teammates would freak..
I agree with everyone it would be criminal to drop Jansen from the roster. I hope the Dodgers have big lead in the final WS games so Jansen can finish it.