Dodgers need more from these three stars in the World Series

With the World Series going to Southern California tied at one, the Los Angeles Dodgers can only rest easy at their own risk. 

Their Game 2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays came courtesy of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whose masterful nine-inning gem spared them from using a single reliever. This was critically important given the severe unreliability of their bullpen. 

While the Game 2 win was encouraging, the Dodgers will need to grip the reality that all their starters will need to go deep against this dangerous Blue Jays team.

The Game 1 loss was a huge wake-up call for the Dodgers and a disillusionment with their perceived invincibility. This dose of reality has thrust a few Dodgers’ laggards into the spotlight. If the Dodgers are going to avoid any detrimental damage at the hands of the dangerous Blue Jays' squad, they may need two positive developments: a bullpen resurgence and plenty more production from these three slumping stars.

1B Freddie Freeman

It was an exceptional year for the 2020 MVP and last year’s World Series MVP. Freeman slashed .295/.367/.502 with 24 home runs, though his once-lofty stats have declined. However, the postseason has been a different story.

In the playoffs, Freeman is 10-for-45 (.222 AVG) with one home run and seven walks. This doesn’t include the missed pop fly in Game 2 of the World Series. In truth, Freeman’s postseason is not that bad considering his on-base percentage still sits at .340 and he has accumulated five doubles. However, since he is such an important part of the Dodgers' batting order, his plate appearances are all the more critical to the team, especially when the opposition can string hits together like few teams ever have in the playoffs, creating a parade of baserunners.

RF Teoscar Hernandez

Hernandez, a known postseason masher, has thus far lived up to power potential, clubbing four home runs in the 2025 playoffs. However, aside from his respectable home run total, his numbers just aren’t great. Hernandez is 11-for-48 (.229 AVG) with just three walks (.275 OBP). And three of his four home runs came in the first three games of the postseason.

The more concerning aspects of his performance are coming from his recent struggles. In the past four games, Hernandez is just 1-for-14 with a walk and nine strikeouts. He is yet to garner his first hit against his former team in the World Series, and he struck out in all four plate appearances on Saturday. A main source of power for Los Angeles, the Dodgers would gain a massive boost if he could hit his stride.

CF Andy Pages

In the regular season, Pages hit .272/.313/.461 with 27 home runs in his 2025 sophomore campaign. However, this isn’t the regular season, and the difference has been stark.

With his base hit on Saturday, Pages is now 4-for-43 without a single walk, bringing his postseason batting average up to .093. Pages has been one of the worst performers of the 2025 postseason and is likely hanging by a thread. Though he is the No. 9 hitter, his spot in the lineup comes ahead of Shohei Ohtani, making it vitally important. In Game 1, Pages came to bat with the bases loaded, full count and two outs. He chased what would have been ball four, striking out in a pivotal situation. 

Manager Dave Roberts' options are limited since Tommy Edman is dealing with an ankle injury and is unable to play centerfield. Nonetheless, if this continues, Alex Call or Hyeseong Kim could be options to take his place.