Dodgers Drop All-Star From Lineup After Massive Game 1 NLDS Performance

The Los Angeles Dodgers removed third baseman Max Muncy from their lineup for Game 2 of their National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. In their first game on Saturday, the Dodgers secured a 5-3 victory over the Braves, with Muncy contributing significantly by hitting a sixth-inning home run that extended the Dodgers' lead to 5-1.

Muncy holds the distinction of being the top all-time postseason home run hitter for the Dodgers with 17 in his career. Miguel Rojas, a veteran infielder and World Series hero, will take Muncy's place in the lineup. Muncy had an impressive season for the Dodgers, earning All-Star recognition for the first time since 2021, recording 4.1 bWAR, hitting 29 home runs, and contributing 76 RBIs in 149 games.

The decision to replace Muncy stems from the Braves' selection of their starting pitcher, Ray Kerr, who is set to start Game 2. Kerr, who made nine regular-season appearances for the Braves with a 1.47 ERA over 18.1 innings, will face Muncy in the upcoming game. Manager Dave Roberts often rearranges the lineup to minimize same-sided hitting matchups, so Muncy's absence is not surprising.

A win for the Dodgers in Game 2 would give them a 2-0 lead, a historically favorable position in NLDS matchups, as teams with a 2-0 lead have won 83 out of 93 series in the best-of-five format.