Max Muncy’s Walk-Off Home Run vs. Giants Goes Viral—Watch the Dodgers Star’s Game-Saving Blast Now

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers breathed a collective sigh of relief this week after third-baseman Max Muncy escaped serious injury in back-to-back hit-by-pitch scares that had fans fearing the worst. Muncy, 35, was drilled on the right wrist by a 92 mph sinker on Friday night in San Francisco, left the game for precautionary X-rays, then returned to the starting lineup the very next evening. But his comeback was cut short almost immediately when a 94 mph sinker from Giants left-hander Matt Gage caught him on the right side of the helmet in the sixth inning Saturday. Dodgers trainers rushed to the plate, yet after several tense moments Muncy stayed in to run the bases before manager Dave Roberts removed him for “an abundance of caution.” Initial concussion evaluations were negative, and Roberts confirmed the club is “optimistic there’s no long-term issue.” Lingering soreness, not head trauma, is now the primary concern. According to beat reports, Muncy’s wrist remains tender, but the veteran insists he has “no ill effects” from the helmet shot and expects to be in the lineup as the Dodgers open a critical homestand against the Phillies on Monday. Subheadline: Why Muncy’s Health Matters When Muncy plays, the Dodgers’ offense looks elite. Los Angeles averages 5.8 runs per game with him compared to just 3.98 without him this season, a stark split that underscores his importance as the lineup’s left-handed power anchor. Despite missing six weeks with a bone bruise and an oblique strain earlier in the summer, the slugger is slashing .252/.388/.476 with 17 homers and a robust 142 wRC+ in 93 games. Subheadline: Two HBPs, One Big Playoff Picture The Dodgers entered the weekend clinging to a two-game lead over the up-start Padres in the NL West. With postseason seeding at stake, losing Muncy for any length of time would be a major blow, especially with fellow middle-of-the-order bats Will Smith (concussion list) and Mookie Betts (rib contusion) also nursing injuries. Subheadline: Next Steps • Muncy is scheduled for a light workout Sunday followed by re-evaluation from the training staff. • If swelling in the wrist subsides, he’ll start Monday against Phillies ace Ranger Suárez, a lefty he’s homered off twice in his career. • The Dodgers will outfit him with a newly adjusted C-flap helmet and additional forearm guard in an effort to prevent a repeat incident. Subheadline: Big-Picture Outlook Roberts reiterated that, barring setbacks, Muncy “will be our third-baseman down the stretch.” That’s welcome news for a club chasing its eighth division crown in nine seasons. A healthy Muncy not only lengthens the batting order but also stabilizes a defense that ranks second-best in MLB in Defensive Runs Saved at third base. For fantasy owners, expect Muncy’s elite on-base skills and 30-homer upside to remain intact. For Dodgers fans, the message is simpler: your cleanup hitter is bruised, not broken—and with October looming, that could be the difference between a deep postseason run and an early exit.