The Los Angeles Dodgers were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series on Wednesday as their attempt at a late rally in Game 3 fell short at Chase Field.
During the regular season, the Dodgers outscored their NL West opponent 72-47 through 13 games. But in three postseason contests, they were trounced by a 19-6 margin. The bats were flat, and the duo of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman went a combined 1-for-21 in the NLDS.
The only hit from Freeman came via an infield single that he beat out by sliding into first base.
“It’s hard to find words right now,” Freeman said after the Dodgers were eliminated by the Diamondbacks. “It’s hard to put into words. It’s just frustrating.
“Me and a lot of us didn’t play the way we wanted to. They just came out swinging in all three games and they beat us.”
Freeman previously revealed his swing had been giving him trouble in the weeks leading up to the playoffs, but noted that the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff didn’t come at him with a different plan.
“Had pitches to hit all night and just rolled them over. Just like I’ve been doing for five weeks,” Freeman said.
The same record-setting offense posted a night and day performance in three quick NLDS defeats. Freeman and the rest of the Dodgers lineup looked nothing like the highs from the regular season.
“It’s hard to give you words right now,” he said. “It’s so fresh. They just beat us. Just a bad series.”
The All-Star duo of Betts and Freeman failed to make an impact in any way. Their at-bats felt flat, and the trickle down impacted the entire Dodgers lineup that looked as if the weight of the series came down to each swing.
What went wrong for Freddie Freeman in the NLDS?
A repeat exit in the NLDS was a flashback to last season when the 111-win Dodgers were bounced by the San Diego Padres in four games. They won series opener at Dodger Stadium but went on to lose three straight.
Against the Diamondbacks, Freeman’s struggles were unsettling because of his usual consistent nature. Leading into the NLDS opener at Dodger Stadium, the team met for intrasquad games and held workouts, both of which were to avoid feeling the effects of a five day layoff following the regular season.
“We had a great practice, good work, everyone came out with a lot of energy,” Freeman said. “Just didn’t get it done.”
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