The catcher celebrates turning 31 with a clutch performance, hitting a go-ahead home run against the Diamondbacks.
Category: Sports
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their 2026 MLB season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 28, thanks in large part to catcher Will Smith, who celebrated his 31st birthday in style with a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning. This win marked a personal milestone for Smith and completed a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
Manager Dave Roberts almost repeated a mistake from the previous year by planning to give Smith the night off. Having caught the first two games of the series, Roberts believed it was prudent to rest him. “He was going to give me the day off, I just kind of dropped the bobblehead card [for Saturday], and he let me in there,” Smith said, referring to the promotional event that celebrated his iconic Game 7 home run in last year’s World Series.
Roberts relented, and Smith’s insistence paid off. The Dodgers found themselves trailing 2-0 early in the game, but the team’s resilience shone through once again. After a quiet first five innings, Freddie Freeman sparked the offense with a double in the sixth that drove in the Dodgers' first run, cutting the Diamondbacks’ lead to 2-1.
With two outs in the eighth and Mookie Betts on first base, Smith stepped to the plate against Arizona reliever Juan Morillo. Falling behind 0-2, Smith displayed his patience, fouling off several pitches before connecting on a fastball that traveled a Statcast-projected 414 feet to center field at an exit velocity of 105.1 mph. “Regardless of it being my bobblehead night or anything, it’s cool to put your team ahead, get a win, get the sweep,” Smith said. “That’s more what I was excited about.”
This victory was particularly sweet for the Dodgers as they became just the seventh team in the last 125 years to win their first three games of the season after trailing by multiple runs in each. The pitching staff, led by Tyler Glasnow, who tossed six innings of two-run ball, played a key role in keeping the games close. “It never feels good to give up runs early, but I think it can get you in that mindset to lock in and keep the score small because there is no opponent lead that is safe,” Glasnow remarked.
The Dodgers' bullpen, featuring Alex Vesia, Will Klein, and Edwin Díaz, maintained a scoreless streak throughout the series, with Díaz earning his second save in as many nights. “When Edwin comes in the game, that means something good’s happening for the Dodgers,” Freeman noted, highlighting the confidence the team has in their closer.
Even as the game unfolded, the Dodgers’ offense displayed a relentless approach. “We never feel like we’re out of it,” Smith explained. “We keep taking good at-bats, keep believing in each other, keep believing that someone’s going to come up with a big hit.” This mentality has been a hallmark of the Dodgers’ play, and it was evident in their ability to come from behind in all three games of the series.
As the game progressed, the atmosphere at Dodger Stadium was electric, especially with Smith’s family in attendance. His wife and two daughters threw out the ceremonial first pitch, adding a personal touch to the evening. The bobblehead giveaway, which commemorated Smith’s World Series heroics, was a fitting backdrop for his birthday celebration and clutch performance.
Smith’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations has become a defining characteristic of his career. “I just feel prepared, I feel calm, and I feel under control and not trying to do too much,” he remarked, referencing his previous success in similar moments. “Knowing the pitcher’s kind of panicking out there, feels stressed, but I’m not as stressed as them.” This confidence is beneficial for Smith and sets a tone for the rest of the team.
Freddie Freeman, who had three hits in the game, echoed Smith’s sentiments about the team’s collective mindset. “Everyone on our team could hit third in the lineup. Everyone wants that at-bat, and that’s the key to our lineup,” Freeman said, emphasizing the depth and talent of the Dodgers’ roster.
The Dodgers will look to continue their winning momentum as they prepare for a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians starting on March 30. With their season off to a strong start, the team is focused on maintaining their competitive edge and building on their early success.
As the Dodgers bask in the glow of their season-opening sweep, Smith’s birthday home run serves as a reminder of the potential that lies ahead. “It was a magical night,” Glasnow said, summing up the evening’s events perfectly. With a lineup full of clutch hitters and a strong pitching staff, the Dodgers are set to be a formidable force in the league this season.
With the excitement of the new season and the promise of more thrilling moments to come, Dodgers fans can look forward to what lies ahead. After all, in a sport where every game counts, the Dodgers are proving they have what it takes to rise to the occasion.