Freddie Freeman is planning to be in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup for their World Series opener against the New York Yankees.
“I don’t think there’s any question in anybody’s mind that I will be in the lineup for Game 1,” he said Tuesday during a Zoom news conference.
However, the final decision about the lineup will be made by manager Dave Roberts after talking with the front office.
By Game 1 on Friday, Freeman will have had a week since he injured his right ankle while running in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series against the New York Mets.
The All-Star first baseman missed Games 4 and 6 of the NLCS. Freeman was 3 for 18 against the Mets after hitting .286 in the NL Division Series against San Diego.
“I’m obviously compromised with my ankle, so if I’m not in the lineup on that day that means the best option is with our guys,” Freeman said. “I haven’t played three games and I think they’re averaging about nine runs a game without me in there. I have great confidence in everybody.”
Freeman mentioned that he can hit and walk without much trouble, but his ankle hurts when he tries to run. He has been getting hours of treatment for the first sprained ankle of his long career.
“I want to get this thing as calmed down as I possibly can, to give my best self and be ready to go by Game 1,” he said.
When Freeman has had to sit out, third baseman Max Muncy has moved to first base, and Kiké Hernández has gone to third.
Freeman usually bats third, behind Shohei Ohtani, who leads off, and Mookie Betts, giving the Dodgers three former MVPs at the top of the lineup.
“You’re talking about one of the most consistent players in the game the last 10, 12 years,” Muncy said. “To get him back, to have him in that lineup, just adds that depth. On top of that, all the key hits, the clutch hits he’s had in his career this time of year, you can’t really quantify how valuable that is.”
Freeman hurt his ankle on Sept. 26 against the Padres while trying to avoid a tag at first base by San Diego’s Luis Arráez and missed the Dodgers’ last three regular-season games.
He also missed eight games in late July to be with his 3-year-old son, Maximus, who was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition.
