Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped a 10-4 game to the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, a game where they generated plenty of baserunners but couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities. After the loss, first baseman Freddie Freeman shared his thoughts on the team’s struggles and the importance of getting back on track as the season winds down.
Freeman, a consistent force for the Dodgers this season, acknowledged that the team had several chances to drive in runs but fell short. “We had the opportunities,” Freeman said. “This is what happens in baseball. When you play 162 games, you’re going to have days like this where you just don’t get the hit.”
Despite the loss, Freeman remains grounded in the long view of the season. “It’s just one of those days,” he added. “We’ll chalk it up and come back and get them tomorrow.”
Down the Stretch Focus
With the season entering its final stretch, Freeman was asked about the importance of regaining momentum and finding consistency, especially after a successful series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. While Freeman acknowledged the need to play well heading into the playoffs, he emphasized that the team’s approach remains the same, day in and day out.
“Obviously, we’re trying to feel good as a team going into October,” Freeman said. “But it’s not like we need to look a certain way every single day. We come in with a game plan to win that game, and we do our best.”
The Dodgers have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, but consistency will be key as they push toward the postseason. Monday’s loss, while frustrating, is part of the ebb and flow of a long baseball season.
Walker Buehler’s Comeback Effort
Freeman also reflected on teammate Walker Buehler’s performance. Buehler, who has been working his way back after two years of injuries, had a challenging night on the mound. Though the stat line wasn’t ideal, Freeman saw positives in his performance.
“I thought he did alright,” Freeman commented. “Yeah, he gave up the home run to [Cubs outfielder Jared] Bush, but it was a 92 mph exit velocity—perfectly placed. Cody [Bellinger] ambushed one too, but I thought Walker did pretty good overall.”
Freeman noted the difficulty of returning to form after missing extended time and encouraged Buehler to focus on the positives. “When you miss that much time, you’ve got to find the good things. I thought he did just fine.”
Buehler has been a key part of the Dodgers’ rotation in past seasons, and his return will be critical as the team prepares for a playoff run. Getting back to full strength after such a long absence takes time, and Freeman believes that Buehler is moving in the right direction.
Battling Through Injury
Freeman himself has been dealing with a finger injury that, while improving, is still affecting his swing. “The pain has subsided, but now it’s more just tightness in the finger,” Freeman said. “I’m still doing treatment, but every day away from it is better.”
He described the impact of the injury on his performance at the plate, noting that it’s affected his ability to drive the ball with authority. “Right now, I’m missing a lot of pitches, fouling a lot off, and hitting a lot of ground balls to the right side.”
Freeman compared his current swing mechanics to where he was four months ago when he was initially trying to fix the issue. Despite the frustration, he took some positives from his performance on Monday. “I took some walks tonight, so hopefully tomorrow we can lock in the swing and get back to hitting balls up the middle.”
Looking Ahead
The Dodgers face a tough challenge in their next matchup, but Freeman remains optimistic. With a deep lineup, the team is well-positioned to make a run in the postseason. However, as Freeman noted, the key will be staying consistent and finding ways to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Monday night’s loss was a setback, but Freeman and the Dodgers aren’t dwelling on it. “We’ll go after them again tomorrow,” he said confidently.
As the season progresses, the Dodgers will need contributions from every part of the roster, and veterans like Freeman and Buehler will be crucial in helping the team find its rhythm heading into October. With a few adjustments and a focus on execution, Freeman believes the team is poised to bounce back and finish the season strong.
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