In the first inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 7-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants, Freddie Freeman launched his 17th home run of the season, ending a personal drought.
It was Freeman’s first home run since Aug. 15, which came against the Milwaukee Brewers, and only his second since July 23. Freeman’s overall production at the plate hasn’t taken a step back as he’s second in the National League with a .324 batting average and leads MLB in hits.
However, Freeman is currently on pace for his lowest home run total since 2018 — excluding the shortened 2020 campaign — but he doesn’t believe there’s any reason for the dip in homers.
“There’s none. One of those things of trying to swing to be a hitter. If the ball goes over the fence when I hit it, it does,” Freeman said after Monday’s game. “I’m not really worried about it. If I start chasing homers, I’m going to start chasing everything. Just trying to be a good hitter and keep that going.”
Freeman has endured stretches with the Dodgers this season when he’s a base hit machine without home runs, such as a span of games from April 8 to June 10 in which he only left the yard four times in 58 games, but posted a .289/.369/.443 batting line. Freeman then broke out with 11 homers in 35 games from June 11 to July 23.
Freeman’s homer on Monday was a bookend blast to another drought, and it marked just his second four-bagger since late July.
“I want to get hits every day, but it’s just not going to happen. That’s the beauty of this game, you get to come back and do it again, Freeman explained. “It’s nice in your first at-bat to get rid of the 0-for-5. It’s just good to feel good, and I took some good at-bats.”
Since July 24, Freeman has a 131 wRC+ over 179 plate appearances. His steady presence in the second spot has transformed the top of the Dodgers lineup.
Freddie Freeman’s first year with the Dodgers
Through 134 games with the Dodgers, Freeman has been as advertised, and more. Outside of watching him be a consistent presence in the box and at first base, his ability to take what the game gives him and capitalize is incredible.
Freeman is on track to have a top-three season in his career and has quickly become a favorite with the Dodgers’ fanbase and in the clubhouse.
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