“Dodgers influenced by Freddie Freeman’s energy and emotions”

The Los Angeles Dodgers staged a comeback against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, picking up a walk-off win with a home run from Mookie Betts after Shohei Ohtani tied the game with a solo shot.

But until then, the game was a struggle for the Dodgers. They ran three double plays and consistently left runners in scoring position, highlighted by two double plays by Freddie Freeman.

Trailing 5-1 in the seventh, Miguel Rojas drew a walk and Kiké Hernández hit a two-run home run to turn the game into two runs. Ohtani then hit a single and stole second base before Freeman's base hit drove him home to cut the deficit to one run and set up the ninth-inning heroics.

Manager Dave Roberts has noticed a trend among his team surrounding Freeman, which the captain believes could be the key to the Dodgers' offense.

“I think Freddie got the base hit to score a run. I think that kind of energized us,” Roberts said. “Freddie was trying to find his way and we accompany him through his feelings. When he becomes more oppressed, it seems like everyone follows him. But when he’s upbeat and getting going, that energy resonates with everyone else.”

The Dodgers finished the game 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and eight on base. Freeman's single was her only hit with a runner on second or third.

Freeman's double plays came in the first inning after singles by Ohtani and Betts and in the third inning with the bases loaded and one out. Apparently no coincidence, as it wasn't until the fourth inning that the Dodgers scored their first run after a home run by Teoscar Hernández.

Ohtani and Betts are clearly the best players on the club, but if Freeman is the key to their energy, they need him to start in their three-game set and in the postseason against the San Diego Padres.

Freddie Freeman is having an offseason

Freeman didn't have the same success this season as he did last year, but overall he was still a productive player. He is hitting .283/.380/.477 with 22 home runs, 89 RBI and 81 runs scored with nine stolen bases.

However, it is likely that he will finish the season under .300 for the first time since 2019 and second time since 2014. Freeman's batting average is also on track to finish below .500 for the first time since 2015.

Whether it was a breakout season for Freeman or the start of an age-related decline for the 35-year-old may be concerning, but for now he remains an important part of the offense.

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