Will Freddie Freeman Play in Dodgers vs Mets Game 4? Dave Roberts Answers
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is expected to play in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series Thursday, according to manager Dave Roberts.
“Freddie’s fine. Freddie’s fine,” Roberts said after the Dodgers’ 8-0 Game 3 win. “I think we got through it. And my expectation is he’ll be in there tomorrow.”
Freeman has battled a high ankle sprain in his right foot since late September. It’s not an ideal situation, but Freeman has refused to let his injury prevent him from not helping his team.
When Freeman has had to exit the game, the Dodgers usually place Max Muncy at first and Kiké Hernández at third in his absence.
However, for much of the NLDS and now NLCS, the first baseman has insisted on being in the lineup. Freeman goes through hours of therapy to play with his sprained ankle. He typically arrives at the ballpark six hours ahead of the game to prepare his ankle.
“I just don’t see any world where he doesn’t start a game in the NLCS,” Roberts said ahead of Game 3.
Freeman’s teammates have done everything possible to protect the All-Star during the game. In Game 1 of the NLCS, Mookie Betts caught Freeman in his arms as the lumbering first baseman limped toward home plate.
The embrace by the two MVP’s was a testament to the team’s camaraderie.
“I’m only 170 pounds, and he’s a big dude, kind of collapsing,” Betts said after Game 1. “Luckily I lift weights, so I was able to hold him.”
Ahead of the NLDS, the first baseman revealed that his right ankle sprain would normally be a four-to-six-week injured list stint. He took one week of rest before Game 1 of the NLDS against the Padres.
“He’s sacrificing his body right now,” Roberts said. “He’s doing a lot that people don’t know about to stay on the field.”
One of the ongoing storylines for the Dodgers this season has been the unprecedented amount of injuries. The Dodgers pitching staff was labeled as the hole in the Dodgers’ postseason efforts, yet Los Angeles pitchers tied the MLB postseason record for consecutive scoreless innings.
The Dodgers also have four shutout wins in their last five games. Injuries have certainly forced the Dodgers to adapt, but players like Freeman have displayed the resilience of the clubhouse.
Photo Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
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The players are making Roberts look better than he has a right to. Without these guys Roberts would be sitting in the you know what. A 2 to 1 game lead is not a time to breathe a sigh of relief except when it comes to Roberts not having messed up the performance of the pitching. It could have just as easily gone south after pulling Buehler after 4 innings, although the “pundits” will say it was the right thing to do given it’s the playoffs. Of course, they say that after the game and after the relief pitching held up. Roberts seems to come from his head more often when making pitching decisions rather than what’s happening on the field. Buckle up for Mr. Toad’s wild ride.