Dodgers Interview: Freeman focused on being a contributor in Series

LOS ANGELES, CA — As the Dodgers gear up for Game One of the World Series on Friday, first baseman Freddie Freeman spoke about his readiness and the team’s approach heading into the series. Freeman, who has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury, emphasized the importance of resting and treating his ankle over the past week.

“Every day that I can get off my feet and not run is huge,” Freeman said. “Obviously, I didn’t play in Game Six, so that was a day I didn’t have to run. It’s more of once I take that first running step, everything kind of flares up in my ankle. I’m now at three straight days of not running and just treating it. Every day is going to be better.”

Freeman noted that his approach to recovery has been cautious but optimistic. “We’re just trying to do the best we can to get it into a spot that’ll be ready to go on Friday,” he explained. “With all injuries, treatment and rest and time away from the initial injury are only going to make it better.”

When asked about his recovery progress, Freeman remained realistic, acknowledging the uncertainty. “I feel pretty good walking and okay hitting. It’s all the movement stuff of running. I wish I could give more definitive answers about how I will feel on Friday, but I’ve never sprained an ankle before. I’m on my third day of not running, and I just want to get this thing as calmed down as possible.”

Reflecting on the team’s recent success, Freeman compared this postseason run to the 2021 Braves, with whom he won the World Series. “We did everything different going into the Division Series as a group of players. With the watch parties, just hanging out, and making sure we’re together, it feels similar to 2021. But in the end, baseball is baseball, and you can’t really control everything.”

The Dodgers have been on a roll, with players like Walker Buehler and the bullpen stepping up. “Jack (Flaherty)’s thrown a couple of great games, (Yoshinobu)Yamamoto’s looked good, and Walker was great in New York,” said Freeman, crediting the team’s pitching. “A lot of things have just come together for us to get to this point and be able to wear these sweatshirts,” he added, referring to the team’s World Series gear.

He also discussed how the team prepared during the week off, especially in terms of hitting fastballs. “That was one of the biggest things we harped on, hitting the fastball,” Freeman said. “We worked on facing velocity, and that helped us. I think in past postseasons, we didn’t hit the fastball like we did during the regular season.”

Freeman attributed part of the team’s plate discipline to a focused approach. “If you’re on the fastball in a certain lane, you can adjust off that. We’ve just been doing a good job sticking to our approach,” he said, citing their strategy against the Mets in the National League Championship Series (NLCS). “Controlling the strike zone and getting into bullpens early really set up different matchups for us.”

Freeman’s absence in Game Six of the NLCS was notable, but he understood the decision was for the greater good. “I kind of knew I wasn’t going to be playing after how I was feeling in Game Five. It was just progressing to the point where it was hard to get through a game,” he admitted. “As a competitor, you want to be on the field, but sometimes you have to understand that not playing might be the best option for the team.”

The first baseman expressed confidence in his teammates, who performed well even without him in the lineup. “I haven’t played in three games, and I think they’re averaging about nine runs a game without me. We have so many guys that can bounce around, and guys are swinging the bat great.”

Regarding his teammate Mookie Betts, Freeman praised Betts’ versatility and selflessness. “He’s a player and person who will do anything to win,” Freeman said. “When you have someone who’s so unselfish, like he is, it makes everyone around him that much better.”

Freeman expects to be ready for Game One and ruled out any possibility of not playing. “I don’t think there’s any question in anybody’s mind that I will be in the lineup for Game One,” he stated confidently.

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