When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Freddie Freeman to a six-year contract, they added one of the most consistent and durable players to their lineup.
Through more than one-third of the regular season, Freeman has started all 58 games thus far while putting up numbers close to his career averages. Freeman’s streak of playing included a stretch in which the Dodgers had 31 games in 30 days.
“He definitely resists,” manager Dave Roberts said of Freeman’s stance against not being in the lineup for a day of rest.
“He’ll obviously get the off day and I think in about a week or 10 days, we start another long stretch. There might be a conversation to give him a day in that 19 days in a row or something like that. We’ll see.”
While Freeman has enjoyed a productive season for the Dodgers, he was recently mired in a 5-for-31 slump before bouncing back with a 4-for-10 showing in the final two games against the New York Mets last weekend.
And after two hitless games against the Chicago White Sox, Freeman responded by going 3-for-5 with three RBI in the series finale.
Freeman is one of only two Dodgers players who have started every game this season, joining Trea Turner, who Roberts also has considered giving a day off. “I think a lot of it for a player like Freddie or Trea, you’ve got to hear the player and trust them,” Roberts began.
“Certainly, performance is paramount, but them posting and being in the lineup poses a threat. Freddie really understands that and values that, and so do I. Anyone could’ve argued he was down [Saturday], but he still got two hits.
“If you look back at this stretch where he hasn’t been getting hits, there’s been some hard contact, some outs that could’ve went the other way. Obviously people look at performance and they try to justify certain things. It’s hard to argue having Freddie Freeman in the lineup every day.”
Freeman developing close friendship with Betts
Freeman signing with the Dodgers gave them a fourth former MVP winner, which tied an MLB record. The others who captured the award are Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Clayton Kershaw.
Betts and Freeman are now hitting back-to-back nearly every game in the Dodgers’ lineup and both have played at MVP levels. While the pairing is working great on the field, it’s also going growing off the field as the two are developing a strong bond.
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