Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. This looks like a rest game for Smith after he went hitless with two strikeouts during Monday's game. In his place, Austin Barnes will do the catching and bat ninth versus left-hander Shota Imanaga. Barnes is a fine backup catcher with a .262 batting average over 49 games this season. However, he doesn't offer much pop with the bat and has a tough matchup here, so fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a streaming option on Tuesday.
The Kansas City Royals want left-handed reliever William Smith (back) fresh for the last month of the 2024 regular season, so a rest on the injured could help his cause. Smith has been playing catch to keep his arm in shape. He had been dealing with back issues for a few weeks before the team placed him on the 15-day IL on Aug. 26. Smith had been trying to pitch through it, but it was impacting his performance on the mound, and his back spasms got worse after the appeared on back-to-back days against the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 24 and 25, when he surrendered seven runs in just two innings. In his previous five appearances, the 35-year-old southpaw allowed 14 runs in just 4 2/3 innings, so he has clearly been bothered by his back issues. If Smith is healthy down the stretch as the Royals try to secure one of the final wild-card spots in the American League, he'll operate as a key lefty setup man.
The Kansas City Royals placed left-handed reliever William Smith (back) on the 15-day injured list on Monday with lower-back spasms and recalled right-hander Carlos Hernandez from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw had been terrible of late, and this explains why. In his last five appearances out of the bullpen since Aug. 9, he surrendered 14 earned runs on 12 hits (three home runs) while walking two and striking out five over just 4 2/3 innings pitched. The brutal stretch raised his season ERA to 6.53 and his WHIP to 1.45. Smith has gone 0-4 this year for the Royals and has only picked up one save while striking out only 29 and walking 15 hitters in 41 1/3 total innings for work. He brings plenty of experience to KC's bullpen (114 career saves), but he can remain on the waiver wire in all fantasy leagues.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will be taking a seat in Sunday's series finale as the Dodgers play the final game of a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays. Instead, Hunter Feduccia will get the starting nod, as the typical backup catcher Austin Barnes (toe), is currently on the 10-day injured list. Smith has been in a bit of a slump this month, holding an overall .193 average but has been getting back on track of late, as he was riding a three-game hitting streak entering Sunday. Fantasy managers should expect Smith to rejoin the starting nine on Tuesday as the Dodgers host the Baltimore Orioles. Feduccia could be a sneaky play in DFS this afternoon as he will face Tampa Bay spot starter Jacob Lopez, who carries a hefty 8.44 ERA.
Will Smith Homers, Tallies Up Three Hits On Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith went 3-for-4 with a double, a solo shot, and two runs scored on Tuesday as his team beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2. Smith has been on a bit of a cold streak as of late, slashing .140/.258/.228 in his last 15 games. However, the two-time All-Star has remained one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball this season and will look to build off this performance for more consistent play down the stretch. Overall, Smith is slashing .251/.331/.444 with 16 home runs, 62 RBI, and 57 runs over 420 plate appearances.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith launched three home runs in Friday's 8-5 win over the Brewers, going 3-for-3 along with a pair of walks. While it was an impressive feat, unfortunately for fantasy, all three were the solo variety, with Smith collecting just three RBI. The backstop scored four times as well. The home runs gave Smith 14 on the season and he now owns a .276-14-53-45-0 line, making him the third-highest scoring catcher for fantasy despite an up-and-down season so far. The 29-year-old hit .362 the first month of the season, then .212 in May and .203 in June, but is now off to a hot .455 start in July (5-for-11).
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. It's a bit odd to see Smith taking a seat against a left-handed starting pitcher. There was no reported injury and Smith did start in three of the four games of their series against the Colorado Rockies. This appears to be a routine rest day for the 29-year-old catcher. Austin Barnes will do the catching and bat ninth versus left-hander Patrick Sandoval.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith put on a power display in Wednesday's blowout win over the hosting New York Mets, going 3-for-5 with two solo home runs. Smith launched his eighth and ninth homers on Wednesday, first belting a solo home run to left field to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the second inning and later smacking a go-ahead home run to left-center field to give the team a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning. The 29-year-old slugging backstop is now slashing .296/.360/.516 with nine home runs, 14 doubles, 36 RBI, and 32 runs scored over 186 at-bats (49 games) as LA's primary option behind the dish. Continue to roll with Smith in all fantasy leagues.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of the game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. Fantasy managers don't have anything to worry about as this appears to be a routine rest day for Smith. In his absence, Austin Barnes will handle behind the plate and bat ninth on Sunday. Fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming option considering Barnes isn't known for his ability with the bat.
Los Angeles Dodgers backstop Will Smith will be getting the day off on Thursday as the Dodgers open a four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds. Smith has started each of the past six games and holds an overall .315/.381/.479 line with four home runs. Instead, Austin Barnes will serve as the catcher for Tyler Glasnow and will bat in the nine-hole. The 34-year-old is best to fade in DFS as he enters Thursday with a .219/.359/.250 slash line with no home runs and has only appeared in 13 games this season.
