Max Muncy Walk-Off Homer Propels Dodgers to Dramatic Win: Highlights, Stats & Fan Reactions

Los Angeles — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy left Wednesday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks after twisting his right knee while ranging to his left at third base, a scare that briefly silenced Chavez Ravine and sent “Max Muncy” rocketing up social-media timelines and search engines alike. The club announced preliminary imaging showed no structural damage, and the two-time All-Star is listed as day-to-day, but the incident couldn’t have come at a worse moment. Just hours earlier, MLB released the final phase of All-Star voting: Manny Machado edged Muncy for the National League’s starting third-base job despite the Dodger’s torrid June in which he slugged nine homers and posted a 1.082 OPS. Subhead: From vision fix to power surge Muncy’s mid-season revival traces back to a simple discovery: he needed glasses. After being diagnosed with astigmatism in his right eye, the 34-year-old began wearing corrective lenses on May 28 and has since resembled the 35-homer force who anchored Los Angeles’ 2020 title run. Since donning the frames, he leads the NL in walks, ranks second in hard-hit percentage, and has trimmed his strikeout rate by nearly six points. Subhead: What the injury means for L.A. and Muncy’s market The Dodgers have leaned heavily on Muncy’s left-handed thunder while star outfielder Mookie Betts recovers from wrist surgery. Should the third baseman miss any time, manager Dave Roberts could pivot to Miguel Vargas or slide Enrique Hernández to the hot corner, thinning a bench already stretched by injuries. For Muncy, the upcoming week is equally pivotal for his wallet. The veteran is on pace for his third 30-homer campaign in four seasons just months before he can test free agency. Multiple league insiders have pegged him as a potential “hot commodity” thanks to his defensive versatility and proven October pedigree. A clean bill of health would allow him to showcase that skill set at the midsummer classic in Arlington—even if he’s coming off the bench. Subhead: Looking ahead The Dodgers will re-evaluate Muncy prior to Friday’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants. If the knee responds well to treatment, he could return to the lineup this weekend and keep his bid for a fourth consecutive 25-plus-homer season intact. Fans refreshing injury updates should also keep an eye on All-Star replacement rules: if Machado opts out or another position player lands on the injured list, Muncy’s combination of power, plate discipline, and newfound defensive stability makes him an obvious next man up. With the trade deadline less than four weeks away and postseason seeding tightening, every plate appearance—and every healthy knee ligament—matters. Expect the Dodgers, and the baseball world, to monitor Max Muncy’s status by the hour.