Dodger fans attending tonight’s game, plus all those watching at home, can rejoice after a long-awaited injury confirmation.
First baseman Freddie Freeman, who smashed four home runs in last year’s World Series en route to winning its MVP, is back in the lineup tonight after missing the last nine games.
Freeman recently aggravated his right ankle, which he had offseason surgery on, after falling in his home shower. Despite trying to play through the freak accident, Freddie eventually landed on the 10-day injured list.
Manager Dave Roberts is sliding Freeman back into the cleanup spot of the lineup, between Teoscar Hernández and Tommy Edman.
It's the perfect night for Freeman to come back - not because of a sense of urgency from LA, but because it is his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium. 40,000 people who attend will receive a replica of his Walk-Off Grand Slam over the New York Yankees in Game One of last year’s Fall Classic.
It's already become one of the most iconic moments not just in the lengthy history of the Dodgers franchise, but in all of Major League Baseball. It was the first ever Walk-Off Grand Slam in the World Series, and only the second ever officially* hit in the MLB Postseason.
(*Nelson Cruz had the other with the Texas Rangers in 2011. Robin Ventura never went past first base after his shot with the New York Mets in 1999.)
Freeman has been one of LA's biggest offensive contributors since they signed him to a six-year contract. Fresh off his first World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves, Freddie delivered back-to-back 100 RBI campaigns while leading the National League in doubles both times. He's also smashed 72 regular season homers in Dodger blue.
Last year was a bit of a dip for Freeman in that he "only" drove in 89 runs, but part of that was due to the addition of Shohei Ohtani. He's still one of the best all around hitters in baseball, and his return heavily reinforces an already dangerous Dodgers lineup.
First pitch against the Chicago Cubs is scheduled for 7:10 PST. Freeman and his squad will face Cubs' lefty Matthew Boyd, who has not allowed a run through 11 innings of work.
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