Dodgers Make Big Changes to Lineup For NLCS Game 3 vs Mets

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made some big changes to their lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets.

Freddie Freeman has been moved back into the three-hole, while Max Muncy is hitting cleanup. Moreover, Will Smith is down in the seven-hole, with Kiké Hernández batting ninth. Here’s the full lineup:

The good news for Dodger fans is both Freeman and Lux are in the lineup. Lux missed Game 2 due to hip tightness, but manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday that he expected both players to be in the lineup. That’s officially the case.

As for the changes, Freeman is back in the three-hole with the right-handed Luis Severino on the mound. Muncy has now been moved all the way up to the cleanup spot, with Teoscar Hernández and Smith being moved down. Smith went all the way down to the seven-hole as his struggles at the plate continue.

The one change that was not made (and wasn’t expected to be made) was Shohei Ohtani moving down. Roberts said Ohtani would remain in the leadoff spot despite his struggles with the bases empty this postseason. Ohtani is 0-for-19 with the bases empty and 6-for-8 with runners aboard this postseason.

For what it’s worth, the Mets’ Game 3 starter, Luis Severino, believes he has a blueprint to slow down Ohtani in Game 3.

Read more: Mets Game 3 Starter Believes He Has Blueprint for Slowing Down Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports