Freddie Freeman got booed the second he stepped up to the plate in Atlanta for Game 3 of the NLDS, but that was just the appetizer for a night that spiraled for the Dodgers’ star. This wasn’t some gentle welcome back; this crowd, the same one that cheered him for 12 seasons, let him have it right from his first at-bat.
No Love Lost in the Postseason
We all know the history, right? Freeman was practically royalty in Atlanta. He spent a dozen seasons there, won an MVP, and led the Braves to a World Series title. But then he bounced, signed with the rival Dodgers, and has since helped *them* snag two World Series titles. Ouch. You knew it would be spicy coming back to Truist Park for his first postseason game since leaving, and the fans wasted no time letting him know there’s “no love lost” when a trip to the NLCS is on the line. It’s a brutal reminder that once you switch uniforms, especially to a rival, past glories fade fast in a playoff atmosphere.
Dubón Played the Villain for Freeman
The booing was one thing, but what happened in the third inning? That was a gut punch. With a man on and no outs, Freeman absolutely CRUSHED a deep shot off Chris Sale. We’re talking a ball that looked destined to clear the short left-field fence and put the Dodgers up 2-0. It screamed “home run” off the bat. But Mauricio Dubón, the Braves’ left fielder, had other ideas. He tracked it, leapt at the fence right in front of the Dodgers’ bullpen, and snagged that ball out of the air. Replay shows that ball was GONE if Dubón wasn’t there. He made the play, robbing Freeman of a crucial two-run homer and saving Sale and the Braves from a 2-0 deficit. The Dodgers loaded the bases later in the frame but couldn’t bring anyone home, leaving the game locked in a scoreless tie at the bottom of the third. That’s just tough luck, man.
It’s clear this NLDS series between the Dodgers and the Braves is absolutely cooking. Every pitch, every at-bat, every catch matters big time with a shot at the NLCS on the line. You know Freeman’s itching for redemption. What’s gonna happen next in this rivalry? You don’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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