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OCTOBER 6, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
WILL SMITH
#16 - CATCHER - LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Padres get back Mike Clevinger, Dodgers add pitcher for NLDS Right-hander Mike Clevinger is back on the roster for the San Diego Padres in the NL Division Series and starting Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Braun out of Brewers' lineup for elimination game vs Dodgers Ryan Braun was out of the Milwaukee Brewers’ starting lineup for their NL wild-card elimination game against the Los Angeles Dodgers
OCTOBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Seager homers, Dodgers beat Brewers 4-2 in playoff opener Mookie Betts had two hits and an RBI, Corey Seager homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 in the opener of their NL playoff
OCTOBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
A capsule look at the Brewers-Dodgers playoff series A capsule look at the best-of-three playoff series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers beginning Wednesday
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dodgers confident going into NL wild-card series vs Brewers The Los Angeles Dodgers have checked nearly every box on the way to their eighth straight postseason appearance
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Goes deep Saturday Smith went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs, two RBI and a walk in a victory versus the Angels on Saturday.
Impact Smith knocked in a run with a single in the first inning and capped the Dodgers' scoring in the eighth with a solo homer to left field. The backstop has enjoyed a strong second major-league campaign, slashing .300/.414/.600 with eight homers and 25 RBI.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Betts exits after HBP, Dodgers edge Angels following outage Mookie Betts exited early after getting hit by a pitch, giving the Dodgers a brief scare with the playoffs approaching, and Los Angeles beat the Angels 7-6 following a power outage...
SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Angels late rally comes up short, Dodgers win 7-6
SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • Fox Sports
Leaves yard in victory Smith went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and another run scored during Friday's win against the Angels.
Impact Smith gave the Dodgers the lead with a two-run shot against Matt Andriese in the fifth inning. It was the seventh home run of the season for the 25-year-old backstop, who is slashing .290/.403/.570 across 35 games.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Dodgers 5 HRs, bounce Angels 9-5; Astros get last AL spot Justin Turner homered twice and AJ Pollock, Will Smith and Edwin Ríos also went deep as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied to beat the Angels 9-5
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Buehler looks playoff ready, Dodgers beat A's 5-1 Walker Buehler proved he and his fickle right index finger are playoff ready, Corey Seager homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Oakland Athletics 5-1 to earn their major le...
SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sitting Saturday Smith is not in the lineup Saturday against the Rockies, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Impact Smith finds himself sitting for the second game in a row, something that hadn't happened yet this season except during the period that he was sidelined with a neck injury. This doesn't seem to be a sign of him losing playing time, which would be quite a surprise given his 1.013 OPS, but it's instead due to the fact that Clayton Kershaw will throw to his personal catcher Austin Barnes, who's caught all of his starts this season.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Not in lineup Smith is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact Smith hits the bench after starting seven of the last eight games. He posted a 1.074 OPS over that stretch, right in line with his season-long 1.013 mark in that category. Austin Barnes will be the catcher Friday.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Could be used as DH in postseason Manager Dave Roberts indicated Thursday that he is considering using Smith as the team's designated hitter in games that he doesn't catch during the playoffs, Eric Stephen of SBNat...
Impact Though catchers aren't typically targeted for the DH role, Smith has been one of the Dodgers' best hitters this season, leading Roberts to consider a way to keep his bat in the lineup on an everyday basis. Austin Barnes will certainly catch some contests if the Dodgers advance beyond the first round of the playoffs, but Roberts used both Barnes and Smith in the starting lineup when Smith DH'd last week, and the same setup could be employed again this weekend as the team prepares for the postseason. The desire to deploy Smith as an offensive weapon is justified by his .303/.417/.596 slash line and 18:16 BB:K.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Dodgers use big 7th inning to beat Rockies 9-3 Corey Seager homered and had three hits, Edwin Rios also went deep and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the struggling Colorado Rockies 9-3
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Drives in three Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and three RBI in Wednesday's win over San Diego.
Impact Smith came through with a pair of big two-out hits in the contest, driving home a run with an infield single in the third inning and knocking in two more with a double to deep center in the fifth. Manager Dave Roberts recently indicated a preference to have Smith hit in the middle of the lineup due to his ability to produce quality at-bats, and the backstop certainly justified his skipper's comments Wednesday. In fact, Smith has been swinging a hot stick for the last two weeks; since Sept. 2, he has gone 16-for-34 (.471) with two homers, four doubles and seven RBI.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Wednesday Sports in Brief
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dodgers 1st team to clinch playoff spot, beat Padres 7-5 The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of th...
SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moves up in order Smith has hit fourth or fifth in the order in each of his last three games, and manager Dave Roberts stated that he prefers the backstop in that area of the lineup, Eric Stephen of...
Impact Smith began the season hitting in the lower part of the order but has worked his way up due to an improved approach at the plate this season. "As far as Will in the middle of the order, I think his at-bat quality has been consistent, the on-base, using the whole field," Roberts said. "As we look out, to finish the season and into the postseason, I just want to count on the certainty of a quality at-bat." Smith was slated to bat fifth Tuesday -- as he had in his previous two starts -- but was moved up to the cleanup spot after Max Muncy was removed from the lineup in order to get a day of rest. Smith has been among the Dodgers' most effective hitters this season, slashing .300/.424/.600 with six home runs and 15 RBI. He has already matched his walk total (18) from last season -- in nearly 100 fewer at-bats -- while reducing his strikeout rate from 26.5 percent to 13.1 percent.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Not starting Monday Smith isn't starting Monday's game against the Padres.
Impact Smith drew starts in the past four games and has been on a tear recently, going 8-for-12 with three doubles over the past three contests. He'll get a day off Monday with Austin Barnes starting behind the plate.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Perfect night at plate Smith went 4-for-4 with a double during Thursday's loss to the Diamondbacks.
Impact Smith set a new career high by tallying four hits in a single game, including a double in the fourth inning against Madison Bumgarner. The 25-year-old backstop increased his batting line to .279/.425/.603 with six home runs and four doubles on the year.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Diamondbacks shake prolonged slump, beat Dodgers 5-2 Carson Kelly hit a two-run homer, Christian Walker added a two-run double and the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a rare win over the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 5-2 victory Thursday ni...
SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
On bench Tuesday Smith is not in the lineup Tuesday against Arizona.
Impact Smith and Austin Barnes have alternated starts behind the plate over the last six games. Barnes will take his turn Tuesday, but Smith should be back in the lineup Wednesday if the pattern continues.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Belts sixth homer Smith went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Rockies.
Impact Smith retied the game for the Dodgers in the second inning with his solo shot. The catcher now has six homers, 15 RBI and 13 runs scored in 23 games this season.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Matt Kemp's clutch HR powers Rockies past Dodgers again, 7-6 The Colorado Rockies sent the Los Angeles Dodgers to their first series loss of the season with a 7-6 victory
SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
