Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts plans to keep Freddie Freeman off the field in Game 6 of his team’s series against the New York Mets. Up 3-2, the Dodgers will host their opponents on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.
Considering he still has to play a lot of baseball until the end, Roberts wants to protect the health of his first cushion player, who has been bothered by an ankle injury for several games already. At this point, it is best to play it safe with the veteran and not take chances in his case. If the Dodgers were behind in the series, things might be different.
Roberts and Freeman will have a discussion in preparation for the next matchup and the manager will make the best decision for his player and his team. To the surprise of several observers, the Dodgers manager has been up to the task since the start of the current series and he should logically continue to be so until the end.
Yesterday, in his team’s loss, Freeman was hitless in five at-bats and was struck out twice. It was therefore not a factor favoring the success of the team and this should weigh in the balance of its manager for the next match.
Freeman’s batting average since the start of the postseason is .219.
The Dodgers’ number 5 was injured during the last game of the regular season, but he decided to continue playing despite the pain in order to contribute to his team’s success in the playoffs. Such an injury would normally have required an absence of several weeks.
Roberts has already asked Freeman to sit out twice since the start of the series, which is likely to happen again in Game 6 against the Mets.
If the veteran happens to take some rest, Max Muncy should take his place on first cushion. Roberts could still call on Freeman as a backup hitter, if the need arises.
By defeating the Mets in the next game, the Dodgers could reach the World Series for the first time since 2020. They then defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in six games.
Many baseball fans dream of a final series pitting the Dodgers and the Yankees against each other. The two iconic teams would ensure MLB enviable television ratings. In 1981, during their last duel, the Dodgers won in six games against the Yankees.
Despite the presence of a slow-moving Freeman since the start of the playoffs in his lineup, manager Roberts can count on strong performances from Mookie Betts. Yesterday, despite the defeat, he managed a fourth long ball during the current series. His batting average stands at .300 and he is a major source of inspiration for his team.
Betts and his teammates will have to do battle with left-hander Sean Manaea. The Dodgers’ starter is not yet known.
