Will Smith talked his way into lineup, then won the game

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 28, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer giving the Dodgers a 3-2 lead and the win against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES — After catching the first two games of the opening series, Will Smith wasn’t even supposed to be in the lineup on Saturday, which was his 31st birthday and his bobblehead giveaway at Dodger Stadium. “I didn’t have him in there tonight.

He really wanted to be in there on his bobblehead night, and said he felt good,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It proved to be the right decision. ” “He’s always really good about letting us talk about stuff,” Smith said of Roberts.

“I just kind of dropped the bobblehead card on him. ” Trailing by a run late, Smith fell behind 0-2 to Juan Morillo, but on the seventh pitch of the at-bat, the man born on 3/28 put the Dodgers up 3-2 in the 8th inning, in what proved to be the winning margin for the Dodgers , who are now 3-0 to open the season. “We talked about a lot of our guys, but man, when you’re talking about big hits, clutch, Will is right at the top of the list as well,” Roberts said.

“There’s just no panic in his at-bat. ” “I was sitting in here watching. Just came up clutch.