Dodgers postseason MVP is a player no one saw coming

Dodgers catcher Will Smith broke out of a slump with a monster performance against the Padres to prove his worth.

When you need to get a win to close out an NLDS sweep, it helps to have a catcher capable of setting postseason records.

Will Smith did just that on Thursday night when he went 5-of-6 with three RBI while the Los Angeles Dodgers downed the San Diego Padres, 12-3.

Smith is the only catcher in the history of the postseason to manage five hits in a game, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. He is one of nine players total to achieve that feat.

Will Smith was in a hitting slump but broke out in a big way

Going into Thursday’s outing, Smith isn’t the guy most would have predicted to play such a crucial role in the series-clinching victory.

The second-year catcher was 0-of-11 in postseason at-bats through the Wild Card Series with the Brewers and the first two games of the NLDS against the Padres. On the plus side, four of those at-bats were walks.

The Dodgers didn’t lose faith as Smith bided his time and waited for the right moment. He has alternated starts as a DH and catcher, serving in the latter role in Game 3. That’s when he absolutely went off. Two of his hits were doubles. He scored a run and also batted in three.

As Los Angeles prepares to take on the Atlanta Braves, who also managed a sweep in their series with the Miami Marlins, they will hope Smith’s bat will stay hot. It might be unfair to expect another five-hit game. However, there’s reason to think it can happen again. Smith has been a streaky hitter this season. This latest flourish comes right on time with a World Series bid hanging in the balance.