My ankle really doesn't get better! Freeman is also excluded from selection "The second half can be replaced"...LAD Opener takes the mound at 100 miles Kopec

Oct 21, 2024

LA Dodgers Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts are hugging themselves and heading to the dugout after stepping home together during Max Muncy's timely hit in the bottom of the first inning in the first game of the NLCS on the 14th (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News

LA Dodgers' Freddie Freeman was excluded from the start.

The Dodgers unveiled the lineup for Game 6 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the New York Mets at 9:08 a.m. on the 21st (Korea time).

Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman, Max Muncy, Quique Hernandez, Andy Farggs, Will Smith and Chris Taylor in that order.

Freeman started Game 5 on the 19th, but struck out twice in five at-bats. He went 3 for 18 (0.167) with an RBI and an OPS of 0.378 in four NLCS games.

He also complained of right ankle pain ahead of the game and was excluded from starting for the second time in this postseason after Game 4.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game, `At the end of the day, he and we think it's best to take another day off. I practiced hitting normally like yesterday, and I felt good. However, he is not in a very satisfactory condition on his own. I decided it was better to take a break. However, there is a possibility that he will play in the second half of the game.

Freddie Freeman's right ankle in the first round of the NLCS on the 14th (Korea time). ImagesYonhap News

Freeman hit a ground ball against the San Diego Padres on September 27 and sprained his right foot while sprinting to first base. Since then, he has been undergoing physical therapy for several hours a day. But the pain is not completely gone.

Freeman finished Game 5 of the NLCS and "That's the way it is. I know how things are every day and I want to keep my routine. My routine is important, but I haven't been able to keep it well"I'll go to the training room tomorrow for treatment and go out to the field to check my swing in the batting cage."

He then said "I haven't been in good shape for quite a while. But it's hard to say it's hard at bat because of that"It's like running a 100-meter hurdle. You have to keep hitting against the same hurdles and run every time. That's the way it is now. I'm doing what I can to the best of my ability. If he fails to start Game 6, he will be able to play in the second half of the game," he added.

The Dodgers used Muncy at first base.

Meanwhile, the Mets formed the lineup in the order of Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nemo, Mark Vientos, Pete Alonso, Jesse Winker, Starling Marte, Tyrone Taylor, Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez.

The Mets starter is left-hander Sean Munaia, and the Dodgers will take the mound as an opener on bullpen day.