The Padres hit six residence runs in what changed into a rout of a 10-2 victory in Recreation 2 of their NLDS matchup with the Dodgers, knotting the sequence 1-1 because the scene shifts to San Diego for Video games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Neither membership emerged from Recreation 2 unscathed, nonetheless, as each Freddie Freeman (left ankle discomfort) and Xander Bogaerts (hamstring cramp) made early exits resulting from damage.
Freeman’s exit is the much less shocking of the 2, as the primary baseman’s makes an attempt to play by means of each a bone bruise and a sprain of his left ankle has turn into one of many sequence’ chief storylines. After going 2-for-5 and even stealing a base within the Dodgers’ Recreation 1 victory, Freeman went 0-for-2 Sunday evening earlier than being changed within the subject heading into the highest of the sixth. Freeman was due as much as the plate once more within the backside of the sixth and L.A. was trailing solely 3-1 after 5 innings, but he was clearly not feeling effectively sufficient to proceed enjoying. Publish-game, supervisor Dave Roberts advised Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Occasions and different reporters that the staff would know extra about Freeman’s standing after figuring out Monday throughout the membership’s off-day.
Freeman suffered what was initially identified as simply an ankle sprain on Sept. 26, within the Dodgers’ fourth-last sport of the common season. X-rays have been damaging, however Freeman revealed to reporters that the mixture of the sprain and the bone bruise would usually sideline him for 4-to-6 weeks if this was the common season. Nevertheless, on simply eight full days of relaxation, Freeman returned to the sphere in Recreation 1, although it wasn’t clear till only a few hours earlier than sport time if the primary baseman would certainly be able to go.
Bogaerts seemingly suffered his damage whereas hitting a foul ball throughout his plate look within the eighth inning, but the shortstop seemingly regarded no worse for put on in hitting a solo homer. The Padres ended the body with a 7-1 lead, which maybe gave the membership a little bit extra flexibility to exchange Bogaerts within the subject with Tyler Wade within the high of the eighth.
Monday is an off-day within the sequence, so Freeman and Bogaerts will get some built-in time to recuperate earlier than play resumes. Whereas Bogaerts’ cramp doesn’t appear overly severe, Wade is the pure alternative at shortstop if Bogaerts isn’t prepared for Tuesday’s Recreation 3. If Bogaerts can hit however not subject, the Padres can use Wade at shortstop and Luis Arraez at first base, with Bogaerts conceivably performing because the designated hitter.
Shohei Ohtani’s presence within the DH spot offers the Dodgers no such flexibility with Freeman, as he’d must play first base if he’s to be a part of the staff’s beginning lineup. If he can’t begin, Freeman would due to this fact seemingly be restricted to pinch-hit responsibility, which then necessitates a bigger shuffle of the Dodgers’ lineup. Clearly dropping Freeman underneath any circumstance is dangerous information for Los Angeles, however dropping a key left-handed bat will hamper the Dodgers in opposition to Recreation 3 starter Michael King (a right-hander) and L.A. is missing in left-handed bench depth.
As a reminder, groups could make damage replacements to a sequence roster, however at a big longer-term price. Changed gamers wouldn’t solely be out for the remainder of the NLDS, however additionally they wouldn’t have the ability to take part within the NLCS if their staff was to advance to the following spherical. This rule is unquestionably weighing on the Dodgers specifically as they determine Freeman’s standing, although it could appear as if Freeman must have severely re-aggravated his damage for L.A. to take away him from the roster altogether.
