Dodgers reshuffle key positions and batting order, banking on new faces and veteran power to win pivotal Game 5.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are making notable changes to their lineup ahead of Game 5 of the World Series. Andy Pages will start the night on the bench, with Alex Call getting the nod in left field and Kiké Hernández shifting over to center.
Dodgers Game 5 Lineup:
Pages’ struggles this postseason factored into the change. He's shown a strong defensive ability at center. Overall, his offensive numbers have lagged. Pages is hitting just .080 with a .115 on-base percentage, tallying four hits in 50 plate appearances.
Following Game 4, Roberts hinted that changes could be on the horizon after acknowledging the team’s offensive inconsistencies.
“Yeah, I mean, I’ve got to make a decision, essentially,” Roberts said after the loss. “Am I going to play Andy? Am I going to play Call? Or am I going to play Miggy Ro? Just trying to think through all that stuff and net it out.”
Now in the starting lineup, Alex Call, acquired from the Washington Nationals at this year’s trade deadline, finds himself in perhaps his most significant moment yet, with a chance to solidify his spot for the remainder of the postseason. For those unfamiliar with what Call brings to the table, he’s a plus defender in left field and takes a contact-oriented approach at the plate. He’s known for working deep counts and getting on base at a respectable clip. While he’s not a power threat, his ability to stay within his role and extend at-bats adds value to the Dodgers’ lineup, especially in the nine spot, where generating quality at-bats has been a challenge throughout the postseason.
Additionally, Hernández’s move to center field is a notable adjustment. While he hasn’t seen much action there this season, his defensive versatility and experience playing all over the diamond make the transition manageable. The Dodgers trust that his instincts and athleticism will allow him to handle the position effectively.
The most significant change comes at the top of the lineup, where Will Smith moves into the No. 2 spot, Mookie Betts slides to third, and Freddie Freeman moves into the cleanup role. Betts has struggled mightily this World Series, hitting just .158, while Smith enters Game 5 batting .235 with a home run and a .762 OPS. Freeman, meanwhile, has been one of the Dodgers’ most consistent hitters, batting .294 and delivering the dramatic walk-off home run in the 18th inning of Game 3.
As the Dodgers look to seize momentum in a pivotal Game 5, these adjustments represent both a response to recent struggles and a belief in the roster’s depth. The Dodgers will look to their reshuffled lineup to deliver when it matters most.