Freeman Urges Dodgers to Focus Within as Padres Pull Even in NL West Race
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ roster still boasts big names — Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound, Blake Snell has returned from the injured list, and Mookie Betts is finding his rhythm — but health alone hasn’t cured their midseason slump. Despite weathering injuries to key players, the defending World Series champions have stumbled since the All-Star break, going 11-12 and struggling badly in tight contests.
Their latest setback came Tuesday night in Anaheim, where a 7-6 walk-off loss to the Los Angeles Angels erased their lead in the National League West. The San Diego Padres, fresh off a 5-1 win over the Giants to secure their fifth consecutive series, have now drawn level in the standings.
A depleted bullpen — missing closer Tanner Scott and several other key arms — has been a glaring issue, but the Dodgers’ problems go deeper. They’ve failed to deliver in clutch moments, while San Diego’s roster is built to thrive in exactly those situations.
Still, Freddie Freeman isn’t interested in scoreboard watching. The 2024 World Series MVP wants the Dodgers to turn their attention inward.
“(Division) won’t be tied if we don’t win games,” Freeman said, via the Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett. “So that’s kind of our main focus right now. If we worry about outside things — we gotta worry about inside things right now.”
Freeman knows the Dodgers must start winning close games if they want to reassert themselves as the division’s powerhouse. On Tuesday, Ohtani briefly put them ahead with his NL-leading 43rd homer in the ninth, but the Dodgers surrendered the lead in the next inning and came up empty in the 10th.
“I think you can sense the frustration,” Freeman admitted. “You want to win the close games, because if you win the close games, that’s how you build. And then you’ll score nine, 10 runs. And then you’ll start putting some things together.”
Freeman himself is locked in at the plate, batting .361 with a .419 on-base percentage and 1.085 OPS in August heading into Tuesday’s game. Alongside Ohtani and Betts, the Dodgers have a trio with Hall of Fame potential — one that should be capable of turning things around. But while Los Angeles has been inconsistent, San Diego is hitting its stride.
At the trade deadline, the Dodgers stood pat, counting on the return of injured stars to provide a boost. The Padres, on the other hand, aggressively added talent, acquiring Mason Miller, Ryan O’Hearn, Ramón Laureano, and Freddy Fermin, among others. The two clubs’ recent fortunes seem to reflect those deadline decisions.
Despite the slump, Los Angeles (68-52) remains very much in the hunt. Given their track record and talent, they could still be the favorites if they find their rhythm down the stretch. But as Freeman and manager Dave Roberts know, that turnaround needs to happen soon.
The timing couldn’t be more fitting — the Dodgers and Padres open a crucial three-game series at Dodger Stadium on Friday, with the division lead hanging in the balance.
