The Los Angeles Dodgers moved first baseman Freddie Freeman to fourth within the lineup on each Saturday and Monday, taking him out of the highest three whereas switching Teoscar Hernández in at third. The lineup change was no slight to Freeman, however a method selection because the Dodgers went up towards two left-handed pitchers.
Each Shohei Ohtani and Freeman bat left, so groups have tried utilizing their left-handed relievers towards the duo. To counteract the technique, Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts moved Freeman into the fourth slot.
“It’s no secret that any crew that’s going to attempt to beat us goes to stockpile some lefties to reduce Shohei and Freddie,” Roberts stated, by way of Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. “That’s only a means that I can counter a little bit bit.”
The Braves acquired the most effective of the Dodgers after they first made the swap on Saturday. The Braves and left-handed pitcher Chris Sale dominated. Sale pitched six innings and gave up only one earned run whereas putting out six because the Braves took a 10-1 win.
The Dodgers noticed higher success Monday, after they earned a 9-0 shutout win over the Braves to formally take the ultimate two video games of the collection. Freeman capitalized on his place, hitting a three-run residence run, his twenty second of the season. To make it even sweeter, Freeman hit the house run within the stadium of his former crew.
Freeman’s response to shifting down within the batting order? Surprisingly content material.
“I kinda prefer it,” Freeman stated, by way of Ardaya. “It places them in a tricky matchup as a result of if they create in a lefty for Shohei, which means Mookie and Teo should face left-handed pitching. It’s more durable matchups we’re attempting to create all through the course of a recreation to make it more durable on managers.”
Outdoors of Freeman, Ohtani and Hernández succeeded with the lineup modifications as they mixed for 3 extra RBIs whereas the Dodgers earned a lopsided victory. Finally, the Dodgers can choose their poison in the case of their lineup. It actually helps that they’ve three greats in Freeman, Ohtani and Mookie Betts, in addition to an All-Star in Hernández, making it onerous for his or her high 4 to lose regardless of the order.
Picture Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities
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