SAD NEWS: In NLCS Game 6, Freddie Freeman Might Not Be In The Starting Lineup.

After the Dodgers’ 5–0 loss to the Mets in Game 5, manager Dave Roberts announced to the media that he might bench first baseman Freddie Freeman for Sunday night’s Game 6 at Dodger Stadium. Because of his damaged right ankle, Freeman has had a difficult playoffs.

“On Saturday, I’m going to speak with him.” Roberts remarked, “I do believe his swing is off, and I’m positive it’s the ankle. “We’ll talk about it, but sitting him out of Game 6 is definitely an option.”

In Game 5, Freeman’s agonizing difficulties persisted. Friday night at Citi Field, he was 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in the crushing defeat. Freeman has three hits in 18 at-bats during the NLCS, with no extra-base hits.

One thing about the first baseman for the Dodgers that we have discovered is that he is tenacious. Also a little stubborn is Freddie. The old hand wants to play all the time. Throughout his 15-year career, he has shown to be one of baseball’s most dependable players. Before joining the Dodgers, he was a daily grind for the Braves.

Freeman dislikes missing games, but his damaged ankle has clearly restricted him. Freeman has made a commendable effort to play in spite of his evident discomfort. Roberts is now coming to terms with the possibility that playing might benefit him and his teammates more now that a World Series berth is at stake.

Observing Freeman play in the postseason has been an absolute nightmare. His right ankle sprain has seriously hindered every facet of his game. When he had to perform ordinary plays at first base, it looked painful. When he stretched to collect a high throw at first base, it was embarrassing. He appears uneasy staring at the plate, too. This October, his bad ankle has sapped all of his strength.

Freeman only managed one hit in five at-bats in Game 3, but he also helped the Dodgers escape danger in the sixth inning with a crucial defensive play that involved a scoop at first base on the receiving end of a double play.

Roberts capitalized on the Dodgers’ 2-1 series lead on Thursday in Game 4 by resting Freeman. Sadly, Freeman’s ankle ailment did not heal on the day off, and while runners were in scoring position, he felt the pain at the plate.

Freeman failed to knock in either of the two runners on base in the first inning after lining out to first baseman Pete Alonso. When Freddie was called out on strikes with the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning to terminate the inning and spark a rally, that was when the actual spike through the heart was made.

Without Freeman in the lineup, it’s not catastrophic. Kiké Hernández can play third, while Max Muncy can play first after walking his way to postseason records. Andy Pages can start in centre field after hitting two home runs in Game 5.

Even when Freeman is healthy, the Dodgers lineup is weaker without his hitting, but the injury clearly undermines him. With one more victory, the Dodgers may go to the World Series., and sitting the veteran in Game 6 is most likely the wisest move.