It will be a matchup of two of the MLB's best in the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Coming off a series sweep against the Cincinnati Reds earlier this week, the Dodgers will have to travel to a hostile Citizens Bank Park for games one and two.
Heading into the series, one of the biggest questions has been the status of All-Star catcher Will Smith. He's been out of the Dodgers' lineup since Sept. 3 after suffering a hairline fracture in his right hand.
Will Smith says he's nearing a return before Game 1 of NLDS
Will Smith missed the Dodgers' sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Wild Card earlier this week, but he appears close to returning and could rejoin the lineup during their series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Smith, 30, said that he's "near 100%" but "won't be starting tonight" in Game 1 of the NLDS. He also said that he will be making his return sometime during this series, according to MLB insider David Vassegh.
Los Angeles started veteran catcher Ben Rortvedt at catcher over rookie Dalton Rushing for the two games of the NL Wild Card and will continue to do so for Game 1 against the Phillies.
Once Will Smith can return, the Dodgers will be getting back one of the best catchers in all of baseball. In 2025, Smith has a .296 batting average, .404 on-base percentage, .497 slugging percentage, and a .901 OPS while hitting 17 home runs and 61 RBI in 110 games played.
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