The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a 2-0 hole in the NLCS as the series against the Milwaukee Brewers moves to the West Coast, and all the stars for the home team will need to be at their best.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, though, has a valid reason to be thinking elsewhere on Wednesday night: his wife delivered their third child.
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Smith’s wife, Cara, posted on Instagram Wednesday to announce the birth of their third daughter, Carter.
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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is joined by his wife, Cara, and daughter, Charlotte, on his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 18, 2024. (Los Angeles Times)
“Our third October baby girl… Carter,” Cara posted with cute emojis.
As she mentioned, the Smith family has welcomed all three of their children now in the month of October. Charlotte, the couple’s first daughter, was born in 2022. Then, Layton came in October 2024 – where the Dodgers won the World Series.
Now, the Smiths are hoping the arrival of Carter can lead to the team’s third trip to the World Series in three seasons. However, they head into Wednesday night chasing after the Brewers, owners of the best record in baseball this season, taking a commanding lead.
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But the arrival of Carter couldn’t have come at a better time for the Smiths, as Will had a break in between Games 2 and 3 to allow for travel and rest, with the series switching cities.
Unfortunately for him, it’s not too long of a break, as Smith will be back behind the dish catching Blake Snell in what feels like a must-win game to get back into the series.
Dodger catcher Will Smith and his wife, Cara Smith, pose during All-Star Legacy Volunteer Day at Baby2Baby in Los Angeles on July 8, 2022. (Getty Images)
Of course, it’s only Game 3 and momentum can swing at any time. But Los Angeles knows, because they’ve done it before to other teams, how strong a 3-0 series lead in a best-of-seven matchup can be. It’s not a place they want to be against the Brewers.
Smith is also hoping his third daughter’s birth can give him a bit of luck, as he’s been struggling at the plate in recent games. Smith has gotten just one hit this postseason, going 1-for-19 with eight strikeouts and one walk.
He isn’t the only Dodgers player struggling, though, as Shohei Ohtani has been reeling at the plate. The two-way superstar has been dealing with injuries to his knee and arm, but he said that is no excuse for how he’s been hitting.
Will Smith poses with his wife Cara Smith and daughter after a game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on Sept. 26, 2024. The Dodgers defeated the Padres 7-2 to win the National League West division title. (Getty Images)
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Manager Dave Roberts is leaving him in the lineup, as he was moved to sixth as the team’s designated hitter against left-hander Robert Gasser for the Brewers.
Smith will hit behind Ohtani in the seven hole and assume his regular catching duties.
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