Will Smith is finally back in the Dodgers lineup, and boy, do the reigning back-to-back champs need him. Out since early June with neck inflammation, Smith is set to jump right into the middle of a batting order that’s been hurting, especially for right-handed power. The St. Louis Cardinals, with their decent 34-32 road record, are in town at Dodger Stadium, and all eyes are on Smith to deliver.
The Right-Handed Riddle
The Dodgers offense has been on a serious slump recently, that’s no secret. But the real problem, a consistent issue for most of the season, has been the almost non-existent production from their right-handed hitters. Seriously, with Smith out so long, Andy Pages on the shelf, and other guys just not performing, it’s been rough. The stats scream it: left-handed Dodgers hitters boast a 120 wRC+, second best in baseball. But for the right-handed bats? That number crashes to a meager 100. They desperately need a spark.
High Stakes for Smith and Lauer
So, here we are, leaning heavily on Smith, a guy who was amazing last year but wasn’t exactly crushing it before his injury this season. Is this ideal? Probably not, but what choice do they have? This game is also interesting because Smith is catching Eric Lauer. Smith went on the IL right after Lauer joined the team, and they’ve only worked together once, during Lauer’s debut against the Rockies. Even though Lauer’s overall undefeated streak ended last month, the Dodgers are still perfect in his five home starts. Can Smith reignite that home magic?
This Tuesday night game at Dodger Stadium kicks off at 7:10 p.m. PT. Everyone’s gonna be watching to see if Smith can actually kickstart this anemic right-handed offense. It’s a massive moment for the Dodgers to get back on track.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
Leave a Reply