Dodgers 0-2 Down…Roberts Says Smith's Skipped ABS Challenge Was "Unwelcome"
The Dodgers lost 4-7 to Milwaukee in Game 2 of the NLCS. Catcher Will Smith did not challenge a borderline pitch in Brice Turang's at-bat using the ABS challenge system, and manager Dave Roberts expressed his displeasure.
Translated from Korean with AI assistance. Read the original. Sources and original publication dates are retained.
0-2. This was the Dodgers' series record after Game 2 of the NLCS. On October 12 local time in the U.S., they lost 4-7 to the Milwaukee Brewers. Catcher Will Smith did not challenge a borderline pitch in Brice Turang's at-bat, and after the game, manager Dave Roberts publicly criticized that decision.
Dodgers Lose NLCS Game 2, 4-7…No Challenge on Turang's 1st and 3rd At-Bats
According to the MLB Official Gameday record, the Game 2 score was Milwaukee 7, Dodgers 4. The controversial moments occurred twice. According to Dodgers Nation, there were pitches in Brice Turang's at-bats in the 1st and 3rd innings that could have led to strikeouts. However, Smith did not request a review either time. The 3rd-inning at-bat reportedly ended in a walk after a 3-2 count.
Smith said after the game that he had watched the pitch again. Still, he said, "I don't know if it clipped it or whatever," and did not conclude whether the ball passed through the zone. Roberts responded briefly. On the decision not to request a challenge, he said, "I didn't appreciate that." Dodgers Nation reported both remarks on October 13.
ABS Challenge Rules: 2 Per Team…Managers Cannot Request Directly
According to the MLB official announcement, ABS challenges are granted at the start of the game, with each team receiving2 challenges. A successful challenge keeps the opportunity intact. Only three players (pitchers, catchers, and batters) can request one, and only immediately after a call. Managers cannot request one directly, so even if the bench wants a review, none opens unless a player asks for it.
No official ABS review record showing that pitch was changed to a strike has been confirmed. Since no challenge was requested, there was no change to the call. Post-game evaluations of pitch location and the official in-game call are separate matters. The related reports focused not on framing but on the failure to request a challenge.
Will Smith's Contract Averages $14 million Annually…3rd Among MLB Catchers
$14 million. This is the average annual value of Smith's contract. The Dodgers announced a 10-year, $140 million extension with Smith on March 27, 2024. The contract runs through the 2033 season. Dividing the total by 10 yields this figure. In a table compiled by Front Office Sports using Spotrac data (as of 2026.06.04), this amount ranked third among MLB catchers.
Top 5 MLB Catcher Contracts by Average Annual Value (as of 2026.06.04)
| Rank | Player | Team | Average Annual Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cal Raleigh | Seattle Mariners | 17.5 million |
| 2 | J.T. Realmuto | Philadelphia Phillies | 15 million |
| 3 | Will Smith | LA Dodgers | 14 million |
| 4 | Salvador Pérez | Kansas City Royals | 12.5 million |
| 5 | Sean Murphy | Atlanta Braves | 12.17 million (rounded) |
Trailing 1st-place Cal Raleigh ($17.5 million) by $3.5 million, Smith's figure is 80% of Raleigh's. It is $1 million less than 2nd-place Realmuto and $1.5 million more than 4th-place Pérez. Opposing batter Turang's 2026 salary is $4.15 million per MLB.com, about 30% of Smith's average annual figure. This table was published in June, so it has not been rechecked against October rankings.
Whether the pitches in the 1st and 3rd innings actually clipped the zone remains unconfirmed, as there is no official review record. Records also cannot prove how subsequent at-bats, runs allowed, or the 4-7 result might have changed had a challenge been made. Some commentary definitively labels the non-request as the reason for the loss, but that is speculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What was the Will Smith ABS challenge controversy?
Smith did not request a challenge on pitches in Brice Turang's 1st- and 3rd-inning at-bats in Game 2 of the NLCS that could have led to strikeouts. The 3rd-inning at-bat reportedly ended in a walk after a 3-2 count.
Q. How many MLB ABS challenges are there, and who can request them?
Per MLB's official announcement, each team receives 2 challenges at the start of the game, and successful challenges keep the opportunity intact. Only pitchers, catchers, and batters can request a challenge, immediately after a call; managers cannot request one directly.
Q. What is Will Smith's average annual contract value?
It is a 10-year, $140 million contract announced in March 2024, with an average annual value of $14 million. In a table published on June 4, 2026, it ranked third among MLB catchers.
Related Official Sites
- MLB Official Game 2 Gameday Record — Check the Game 2 score and inning-by-inning progression
- MLB Baseball Savant ABS Dashboard — Check team- and player-level ABS challenge totals
- MLB Will Smith Official Player Profile — Check Smith's season and career stats
Lead image · Archival photo, not from the current game · Photo composite · Photo=Wikimedia Commons (Ryosuke Yagi), CC BY 2.0 · Photo=Wikimedia Commons (Frederick Dennstedt from los angeles, usa), CC BY-SA 2.0
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