ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 26: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers returns to the dugout during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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The Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to get their biggest stars into top form with the playoffs approaching, and the timing has been encouraging for much of their lineup.
Several key hitters have begun heating up as October draws closer, giving the defending champions reason to believe their offense is rounding into shape.
“The back-to-back champion Dodgers were built with ambitions of continuing their reign in October, and they might just be getting hot at the right time,” Sonja Chen noted for MLB.com. “The offense is starting to perform more in line with expectations — but then again, those expectations don’t end at scoring runs in the regular season.”
Freddie Freeman, however, has been a notable exception. The veteran first baseman has struggled down the stretch while playing through a knee injury, creating a difficult balancing act for manager Dave Roberts with the postseason rapidly approaching.
Los Angeles Dodgers Face Difficult Freddie Freeman Decision After Injury Setback
Freeman recently turned 37 and has been dealing with a patellar tendinitis setback in his right knee while trying to rediscover the swing that had him batting .300 just two weeks earlier.
“Dave Roberts has a dilemma,” Bill Plunkett wrote for The Orange County Register. “Never one to accept days off as the answer to anything, Freeman would probably benefit from some downtime this week — but he also needs at-bats to rediscover the swing that had him batting .300 for the season just two weeks ago or recalibrate it to accommodate his balky knee.”
And for a team with championship expectations, there is little time left to solve the problem. Freeman’s experience and offensive track record remain important, but the Dodgers also need him healthy enough to contribute when the games become more consequential.
Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Sends Blunt Freddie Freeman Message After Injury
Following a particularly poor performance last week, Roberts acknowledged that the injury setback combined with the problems at the plate are a confounding combination for his legendary infielder.
“Obviously, the results weren’t there for him, and he’s frustrated, and I think that you just kind of have to count on him to figure it out and bet on him,” Roberts said, according to Plunkett. “And that’s kind of where we’re at.”
That message reflected the Dodgers’ dilemma with one of their most accomplished hitters. Freeman needs opportunities to find his timing, but his knee could make those opportunities more difficult.
With October nearing, Los Angeles will have to determine how much Freeman plays, how much rest he receives and whether he can regain his form without aggravating the injury. For now, Roberts is choosing to bet on his veteran first baseman figuring it out, frustrated as he may be.
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