For the first time since September 3, the Los Angeles Dodgers will have Will Smith back in the lineup as they square off against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
Smith, who exited early in last Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a right-hand contusion, avoided the injured list and returns after just a seven-day absence. His quick recovery is a significant boost for a Dodgers club that has been scrambling to replace his All-Star production on both sides of the ball.
Backup catcher Dalton Rushing also landed on the injured list after fouling a ball off his shin, leaving LA to rely on Ben Rortvedt and Chuckie Robinson in reserve duty with mixed results. The decision to keep Smith off the IL now looks like a savvy move, with the 29-year-old catcher stepping right back into a critical role.
Starting Pitchers
- Rockies: Germán Márquez, RHP (3–12, 6.19 ERA, 75 SO)
- Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan, RHP (5–3, 3.59 ERA, 60 SO)
Vote For Your Favorite Dodgers Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez
Márquez last faced the Dodgers in late June, when LA tagged him for six earned runs in just four innings. Sheehan will take the ball for Los Angeles, looking to extend the team’s modest two-game winning streak and lock up a series win.
Rockies Lineup
- Tyler Freeman (R) 2B
- Mickey Moniak (L) RF
- Hunter Goodman (R) C
- Jordan Beck (R) LF
- Ezequiel Tovar (R) SS
- Brenton Doyle (R) CF
- Kyle Karros (R) 3B
- Yanquiel Fernández (L) DH
- Michael Toglia (S) 1B
Dodgers Lineup
- Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
- Mookie Betts (R) SS
- Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
- Will Smith (R) C
- Max Muncy (L) 3B
- Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
- Michael Conforto (L) LF
- Andy Pages (R) CF
- Miguel Rojas (R) 2B
Smith slides right back into the cleanup spot behind LA’s MVP-caliber trio of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. He will also continue his pursuit of the NL batting title, entering the night hitting .296 — trailing Philadelphia’s Trea Turner and Milwaukee’s Sal Frelick.
The Dodgers have been searching for consistency much of the summer, and Smith’s return could be the steadying factor they need as the postseason draws closer. With Tommy Edman expected back soon as well, Los Angeles may finally be nearing full strength at the right time.
For now, a sweep of the Rockies would serve as both a confidence boost and a meaningful step forward for a team that has struggled to sustain momentum. Smith’s presence makes that task a lot more attainable.