Freddie Freeman Absent as Padres Lead in NLDS

San Diego — In a crucial Game 4 of the National League Division Series, the absence of the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ first baseman, Freddie Freeman, was keenly felt as the team faced elimination against the San Diego Padres. Freeman’s absence came after he was pulled from Game 3 due to a limp caused by an eighth-inning single. He had already exited Game 2 prematurely on Sunday, citing discomfort from a sprained right ankle. Adjustments made by the Dodgers included moving a yet-unidentified player from third base to first, another switch from center field to third base, and a new start in center field.

The Dodgers relied on reliever Ryan Brasier to start the game, as part of a bullpen strategy, confirmed roughly four hours before the game’s commencement at Petco Park. Previously, Brasier had contributed to the Dodgers’ win in Game 1 as a reliever. During the regular season, he showcased a 1-0 record with a 3.54 ERA over 29 games, including four starts.

The Padres, leading the series 2-1, saw offensive highlights in Game 3 with a towering two-run homer by an unidentified player, marking his fourth such success this postseason. They placed their hopes on right-hander Dylan Cease, who started Game 1 but only pitched 3⅓ innings, conceding five runs. Despite a rough start, Cease holds a regular season performance of 14-11 with a 3.74 ERA, including a no-hitter on July 25 against Washington.

Should the Dodgers win Game 4, Padres’ manager Mike Shildt announced that a further unidentified player would start Game 5. Victory in Game 4 for the Padres, however, would allow them to progress to the National League Championship Series, with Yu Darvish slated to start the opener against the New York Mets. “We’d love to name Yu the Game 1 starter,” Shildt remarked on the prospects of advancing.

Historically, the Dodgers swept the Padres in the NLDS during the 2020 Texas playoff bubble but faced defeat by the Padres, who won 3-1 in the 2022 NLDS.