LOS ANGELES -- Will Smith has been a force for the Dodgers through the halfway point of the first month, similar to how he started last season -- but this time, the hope is that he can sustain that success across the year.
Smith launched a three-run homer in Tuesday night's 6-2 victory over the Rockies, which sealed a series win for a Dodgers team that had dropped three in a row heading into the three-game set.
"The average, the on-base, just the quality of the at-bat," manager Dave Roberts said of Smith. "I think the fingers, the catching, he's doing a great job back there behind the plate as well. He's just playing great baseball."
Much has been made of the fact that the scuffling bottom of the Dodgers' order has given Shohei Ohtani few opportunities with runners in scoring position in the leadoff spot -- nine total plate appearances, in which he's gone 0-for-5 with four walks and three strikeouts.
But the top of the order, led by the Dodgers' trio of MVPs, has been productive, setting the table for Smith. And thus far, the L.A. backstop has reliably been a force in those situations.
"He controls the strike zone," Roberts said Monday. "He can hit to the big part of the field. He can hit with two strikes. ¡ He's a very good hitter, but with runners in scoring position, he's one of our top few on this team."
Smith improved to 10-for-13 with runners in scoring position this season, going deep to kick off the Dodgers' four-run third inning where they batted around and chased Rockies starter Ryan Feltner from the game. Smith's 1.827 OPS with RISP is second only to the Yankees' Aaron Judge (1.982) among qualified Major Leaguers.
"I still feel good, not great," Smith said on SportsNet LA. "It's just one of those. It's throwing some grenades out there, they're falling. Just swing at the right pitches, that's what I'm trying to do. Swing at the right pitches, move it, drive guys in."
For a Dodgers offense that went through an uneven stretch from their first domestic road trip of the season through their previous series against the Cubs, the first two games against the Rockies have presented an opportunity to get back on track. L.A. notched a season-high 10 hits on both nights.
Even as his team has gone through the typical ebbs and flows at the plate, Smith has been a constant.
"He¡¯s just that steady presence in the middle of the lineup," said Tommy Edman, who had a career-high-tying four hits. "Always has good at-bats. Always seems to come through in those big moments. Huge home run today. He¡¯s done a great job all year."
Last season, Smith also got off to a hot start, posting a .946 OPS in March/April. But he faded in the second half, when he dealt with a long-lingering bone bruise in his left ankle, logging a .626 OPS after the All-Star break.
Smith did not believe that the ankle hampered him much at the plate or behind the dish, but there could be an underlying wear-and-tear aspect to his production dropping off. Last year, Smith started a career-high 117 games at catcher, and his 121 total appearances there ranked fifth in the Majors behind Cal Raleigh (135), Shea Langeliers (131), Logan O'Hoppe and Tyler Stephenson (both 127).
On many other teams, Smith might get the odd start at designated hitter in order to get him off his feet, but that's not really an option for the Dodgers with Ohtani as their everyday DH. Instead, Roberts has been mindful about finding opportunities to pencil in backup Austin Barnes and get his starting catcher some days off.
To that end, Smith is expected to sit out of Wednesday's series finale against Colorado and be rested to open the upcoming three-game set in Arlington.
"It's just making sure that he keeps ¡ wanting more. I say that as far as playing time," Roberts said. "When you want more, that means you're really feeling good about yourself and your body's feeling good. I think we're doing a good job."