Could Will Smith become the Los Angeles Dodgers' new "Mr. Clutch" in their 2025 MLB postseason run? Smith delivered just what the baseball doctor ordered on Monday night. He hit a two-run single in the top of the seventh inning, putting Los Angeles up 4-1 at that moment.
It was a good thing Los Angeles had that three-run lead because the Dodgers bullpen, a pain in the side all season long, reared its ugly head again. Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia couldn't keep the lid closed on the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Phillies rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth and had the game-tying run at third base with two outs. But Roki Sasaki got the final out, thanks to an incredible scoop play at first base by the Dodgers' Freddie Freeman.
That win gives the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series. Game 3 will take place on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, where Los Angeles could secure a spot in the National League Championship Series and finish off a three-game sweep.
Back to Smith, though. What was his reaction to connecting in such a clutch spot?
"That hit felt great," Smith said, according to Dodgers reporter Sonja Chen of MLB.com. "Bases loaded, two outs. Yeah, that felt good."
Smith has been out of action a lot since getting hit by a pitch on his hand. It's been a period of time and adjustment not only for Smith but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts as well. Seeing Smith come through in a big moment made Roberts beam like a proud father.
"It's great. He's our All-Star catcher," Roberts said. "And you're just trying to play the middle of getting him back, working him back into game shape. And it's just a little bit tougher to do in the postseason."
Will Smith get a Game 3 start over Ben Rortvedt, who has been doing yeoman's work as the Dodgers catcher? That remains to be seen, but apparently Smith and Roberts discuss the situation on a daily basis.
"We’ve got to win three," Smith said. "We’ve got the first two. So we’ve got to stay ready."
Being able to defeat the Phillies at home would set of quite a celebration for Dodgers Nation. Maybe Smith can provide a lift at the plate or even behind it, a lift that could result in Los Angeles posting another W in the win column.