Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman preaches clubhouse composure as the roster leans on veteran leadership to navigate a jarring slump.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 4-2 loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday marked their eighth defeat in nine games. This is hardly the form expected from a team pursuing a third consecutive World Series after adding reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to an already star-studded roster.
Freddie Freeman, however, made clear there is no panic inside the clubhouse.
According to SportsNet LA, Freeman described the losing stretch as part of the natural ups and downs of baseball and emphasized that nobody inside the Dodgers’ clubhouse is worried.
“It’s baseball, ups and downs. We’re going to go through it,” Freeman said.
“No one’s worried in here.”
A concerning slide
In less than two weeks, Los Angeles has lost three consecutive series, including two sweeps. The Dodgers managed to end their seven-game losing streak on Saturday but could not salvage the series against Arizona.
That run contrasts sharply with expectations following the Skubal trade.
The former Detroit Tigers ace had been linked to Los Angeles for several weeks before the Dodgers sent three top prospects to Detroit to complete the deal on August 2.
With Shohei Ohtani unavailable to pitch and Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow still on the Injured List, Dodgers fans expected an immediate lift after Skubal joined the rotation.
The back-to-back Cy Young winner did not disappoint. He allowed two runs on four hits (one home run) with six strikeouts and two walks in six innings to take the loss in a 5-1 setback against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
What happened around him was largely beyond his control.
Since the trade, Los Angeles is 1-6, the worst record in MLB during that span, while Detroit is 5-2.
Freeman, who signed a six-year, $162 million contract with Los Angeles, does not believe the reigning champions should be overly concerned.
He acknowledged that the pitching staff has performed well over the last couple of games while putting responsibility on the offense to improve, expressing hope that the turnaround would begin immediately.
“It just happens to be during a time where our pitching has been pitching well the last couple of games, and as an offense, we’ve got to do better. So hopefully it starts tomorrow,” Freeman added.
Although Freeman remains calm, there are legitimate concerns, particularly the double plays.
The Dodgers have grounded into an MLB-high 99 double plays this season, and their offensive problems were especially noticeable yesterday.
Eduardo Rodríguez limited Los Angeles to two runs on five hits in seven innings. The Dodgers finished the game with only six hits and scored just seven runs across the three games in Arizona.
What’s next for Dodgers?
Los Angeles nevertheless leads the National League West with a 70-48 record, 7.5 games ahead of the second-place Diamondbacks.
Freeman’s calmness is particularly valuable during a stretch like this. His experience, leadership and understanding of the fluctuations of a long season give the clubhouse a veteran presence capable of keeping difficult stretches in perspective.
He has experienced division races and understands that frustration cannot become panic. His willingness to acknowledge that the offense must improve also demonstrates accountability rather than complacency.
The Dodgers have plenty of breathing room in the division, but performances like these in October could destroy their three-peat ambitions.
Skubal takes the mound tonight as Los Angeles hosts the Kansas City Royals, followed by Snell tomorrow, giving the Dodgers an opportunity to change the direction of their season.
