Freddie Freeman had an honest conversation regarding the current state of the Los Angeles Dodgers' batting lineup before World Series Game 5 against the Toronto Blue Jays. This is the Dodgers' last home game in this series before the series shifts to Toronto. As such, the Dodgers won't like to go to Rogers Center facing elimination.
Freeman said the problem with several Dodgers hitters facing a slump is that they are focused on only one outcome at the plate. Not everyone can be Shohei Ohtani, and some need to actually put the ball in play and stress the opposing pitcher by making every plate appearance count.
"I think it's just human nature. It's the World Series. Sometimes you want to do a lot. That's just kind of how it is," Freeman told reporters. "I think we've got a few games in, and you recognize what's going on, and then you can reel it back in. We're all human; we all want to hit home runs in the biggest of stages. It's just kind of what happens. We're four games in, we have seen the patterns, and now it's on us to stop that pattern and get back to being who we are.''
Freeman’s advice might be exactly what the Dodgers would wish to catch an ear on. The team is not generating enough offense outside of Ohtani, who had a human game last night.
Freeman shifted to clean-up duties as Dodgers make massive changes in lineup
The Dodgers have made massive changes in the lineup for World Series Game 5. Mookie Betts, who is hitting just.158 in the series, has been demoted to the third spot, leaving Freddie Freeman to play in the clean-up spot. Meanwhile, Will Smith has been promoted to bat second behind Shohei Ohtani. However, that's not all.
The Dodgers have also gotten rid of struggling Andy Pages in the lineup. Pages, who has hit.067 in the World Series, was replaced by Alex Call in the outfield.
The Dodgers will send Blake Snell to the mound. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays will give the ball to rookie Trey Yesavage. The Blue Jays' rookie pitched four innings for two runs in World Series Game 1.
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