Freddie Freeman, the star first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, faced uncertainty about his status for Game 4 of the National League Division Series after the team’s 6-5 loss to the San Diego Padres in Game 3.
The defeat left the Dodgers with wounds to heal as they head into a must-win situation tonight in San Diego.
Freeman, who has been nursing an ankle injury since the conclusion of the regular season, hobbled off the field after hitting a single in the eighth inning.
Although manager Dave Roberts opted to send in a pinch runner while the Dodgers trailed by just one run, the sight of Freeman limping back to the dugout raised concerns among fans about his availability for Game 4.
In a press conference, Freeman addressed the media’s questions about his health, stating, “Tomorrow is tomorrow,” when asked if he would be fit to play.
This comment reflects his focus on the immediate challenge rather than the uncertainty looming ahead.
For those hoping for positive news, Freeman reassured fans that he did not suffer any setbacks during the game. “I didn’t tweak anything; my ankle feels the same,” he clarified.
Given the franchise’s history, an injured star during the postseason isn’t necessarily an omen of doom. The Dodgers are actually quite used to having stars on the shelf for crucial games.
Game 3 left Dodgers fans uneasy, particularly after witnessing the Padres’ six-run outburst in the second inning.
However, the circumstances surrounding those runs weren’t as alarming as the box score might suggest. San Diego capitalized on several mishaps by the Dodgers’ defense.
Freeman experienced a critical moment in that inning when he attempted to field a ground ball from Jackson Merrill. His throw was impeded by Manny Machado, who strategically positioned himself to block the throwing lane, resulting in an error for Freeman.
Freeman’s frustration was echoed by another defensive mistake from Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas, who aggravated his abductor injury and made a poor decision that left runners on first and second with no outs.
The Padres seized this opportunity, with David Peralta contributing significantly and Fernando Tatis Jr. capping the inning with a two-run homer.
To their credit, the Dodgers fought back and nearly stole the game.
Despite the series of misfortunes, Freeman remains hopeful that Los Angeles can turn the series around.
As fans await news on Freeman’s official status, the expectation is that he’ll be right back in the lineup tonight.
What are your thoughts on tonight’s massive Game 4? … Will the Dodgers find a way to bring the series back to LA for a do-or-die Game 5? … Or is this baby over???