October 11th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes has appeared in two of the Dodgers six postseason games thus far, both as future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw‘s personal catcher. In those two games, the 30-year-old Fullerton, CA native and ninth-round draft pick in 2011 by the Miami Marlins out of Arizona State University is 4-for-5 at the plate – all singles. This equates to an outstanding .800 batting average.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith has appeared in all six of the Dodgers postseason games thus far, four as the team’s catcher and two as the designated hitter when Barnes caught Kershaw. In those six games, the 25-year-old Louisville, KY native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2016 out of the University of Louisville is 5-for-21, two of which were doubles. This equates to a less-than-stellar .238 batting average.
Quite a disparity, you say, and you would be right. However (and you had to know a ‘however’ was coming), all five of Smith’s hit came in one game; series-clinching Game-3 of the 2020 National League Division Series on Thursday night at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX against the San Diego Padres. With those five hits, Smith became the first Dodger in franchise history to record five hits in a single playoff game.
Needless to say, having both Barnes’ and Smith’s bats in their lineup could be the difference in the Dodgers making it to – and winning – their first World Series title in 32 years or, yet again, being an ‘also-ran.’
Therein lies the problem.
Thus far, the only games in which Barnes has appeared have been the two Kershaw starts which, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will not change.
“They were [both in the lineup] in Game-2 last series. I would expect the same thing in Game-2 this series,” Roberts said during his Zoom media briefing on Saturday afternoon. “And then as we look out to [Games] three, four, and five, I’ll make a decision.”
A rather abrupt ‘end-of-discussion’ answer, when you are talking about the guy with the best batting average on the team this postseason, albeit after only eight at-bats.
There is no disputing that Roberts has a stable full of big bats from which to choose his designated hitter when filling out his lineup card on non-Kershaw days; guys like A.J. Pollock, Joc Pederson, Chris Taylor, Kiké Hernandez, Matt Beaty, a recovering (groin strain) Edwin Rios and, of course, Smith. But there is also no disputing that having Barnes in the lineup on non-Kershaw days gives the Dodgers yet another huge element of the games – speed. It’s no secret that Barnes is among the fastest runners on the team, which could play big moving forward.
It’s your call, Doc. Make the right one.
Play Ball!
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Posted in 
@Dodgers I don’t know the answer to that question but I know that he has gotten a lot better this sea… https://t.co/5SiCbBjSTL
@Dodgers https://t.co/at9jbEirGY
How times have changed. 2019-20 Hot Stove Season saw many Dodgers fans wanting to dump Barnes because of his weak offensive numbers, ignoring his strong catching defense. Then, Mookie Betts was added to the roster in Spring Training and he started working with Barnes on his hitting. Now, Barnes is considered an offensive plus rather than an automatic out. Love the Dodgers catching depth with Keibert Ruiz ready to join the active roster next year, and Diego Cartaya is a couple of years behind him.
It definitely is a dilemma, at the moment, but a good one at that.
It’s kind of the “ain’t broke, don’t fix” type of deal. Smith stings the ball, and by some measures was one of the best hitters in baseball. Barnes having a resurgence with the bat (possibly on account of coaching from Mookie) couldn’t have started at a better time. Maybe Barnes would be over exposed catching more than just when Kershaw is starting? An .800 batting average likely only has one direction to go. I don’t think they can go wrong with either Will or Austin donning the tools of ignorance. My big hope is for Rios to be healthy again for some DH at bats. Joc hasn’t looked the best save for his RBI hit in the clincher. Rios would be a good matchup against all the RHP the Braves have.
Obviously, Barnes has had a less-than-stellar, COVID-shortened season. During the past month it appears that perhaps he has found his stroke again… something that Will Smith hasn’t lost, even if considering post-season number based on five post-season games thus far. If Barnes has truly been cured of his batting yips, then Doc would benefit from having both in the lineup with a rotating DH.
But, by this logic, does that mean Doc should also try to shake things up with guys like Max Muncy, Justin Turner and Chris Taylor? “Dance with the one that ‘brung’ you” was a phrase Vin Scully would use on occasion, basically meaning, in sports, to go with players who brought the team to where they are today.
Right now, that sounds like solid advice for Doc. Personally, I like the guy who can spray the ball around the field and put in five solid at-bats the way Smith did the other night.
With a Lefty going game1 for Braves we probably go with
Ct3 at 2b
Pollock in Lf
Barnes at C
Will the thrill as DH
@Dodgers Absolutely not. Whatever is going on with our catchers seems to be working.