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Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have struggled at the plate lately for the Dodgers
The Dodgers' Freddie Freeman hits an RBI single in the sixth inning of Thursday's game against the Colorado Rockies. It was Freeman's first hit of the series against the Rockies. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press) As the Dodgers completed a sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, it was two of their cornerstone hitters who helped lead the way. In what was then a tie game in the top of the sixth inning, Mookie Betts led off with a double in the gap, Freddie Freeman brought him home with a line drive to right, and the Dodgers took a lead they wouldn't relinquish, completing a three-game sweep that kept them tied for the best record in baseball. Advertisement For much of the last four years, that would've been an unremarkable sequence. Shohei Ohtani might be the most potent hitter in the Dodgers' lineup, but Betts and Freeman have long been the bedrock of their offense; All-Stars in each season they've played in Los Angeles, and MVP candidates more often than not. On Thursday, however, their sixth-inning heroics had a different feel. Because, for the last three weeks, both superstars have been mired in startlingly stark slumps. Read more: Clayton Kershaw moves three strikeouts away from 3,000 as Dodgers finish sweep of Rockies Over Betts' last 17 games, the former MVP is batting .191 with only one home run and eight RBIs — dropping his season-long production to just a shade above league average (he has a 106 OPS+, an all-encompassing stat in which 100 is considered league average). Advertisement Freeman's last 20 games have been even worse, highlighted by a .160 average that marks the lowest of any single-season, 20-game stretch in his entire career — diminishing the stellar numbers he had this year beforehand. Such coinciding struggles haven't triggered any 'long-term concerns,' manager Dave Roberts said this week. Thursday's game provided some long-awaited production, a sigh of relief for two veteran sluggers who don't often need one. But still, the numbers are the numbers. A trip to even hitter-friendly Coors Field failed to fully bring them back to life. And until they rebound, external questions about their bats will linger, while their personal search for answers will carry on. 'I've been frustrated for about six weeks now,' Freeman said recently. Advertisement "If I knew [what was wrong],' Betts echoed this week, 'I promise you I wouldn't keep doing it.' The Dodgers' Mookie Betts remains adamant that playing shortstop is not the reason his numbers are down at the plate this season. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) It wasn't long ago that both Betts and Freeman were on polar opposite trajectories, surging through most of May and early June on offensive heaters that evaporated their slow (and physically hampered) starts to the campaign. On April 28, Betts was hitting only .230 with an OPS nearly below .700, clearly affected by a stomach virus that drained him over the two weeks leading up to opening day. Then, in a 32-game stretch from April 29-June 7, his typical levels of production suddenly reappeared. He hit .312 with four doubles, four home runs and an .835 OPS. And he did it all while showing defensive mastery of shortstop, quieting a growing narrative that the toll of his new position was curbing his capabilities at the plate. Advertisement 'It's not about shortstop,' Betts said last month. 'Because remember, last year, I was playing pretty well [offensively while] playing at shortstop. I had no idea what I was doing. Now, I'm way more confident in how I show up and prepare each and every day. The shortstop argument can't be it." Given his recent skid, however, such speculation is back. 'I'm gonna hold to no,' Roberts said when asked about the dynamic again this week. 'I think it's a fair debate. But all I can go with is what Mookie is saying, as far as the separation of the hitting to the defense, the comfort level with the defense … So I don't think there's a correlation.' Instead, Roberts pointed to a lack of power as a bigger factor. Betts' .392 slugging percentage thus far is 50 points worse than his previous career-low (which came in his rookie 2014 season). He ranks below league-average in underlying metrics such as exit velocity, hard-hit percentage and bat speed most of all (slipping to the 11th percentile among MLB hitters in that category). Advertisement 'I think it's the lack of hitting the ball on the barrel,' Roberts said. 'He's a guy that knows how to find the barrel. But there's times that he's chasing a little bit more than he usually does. And then there's a lot more pop-ups than typical. So to get power, you gotta find the barrel. That's what we're trying to do.' Freeman has endured even more whiplash amid his rollercoaster season. At the end of May, he was leading the National League with a .374 batting average. He was seemingly compensating for whatever lingering pain remained in the right ankle he had surgically repaired in the offseason, then re-aggravated with a slip in the shower at the end of March. Even at age 35, he appeared primed for a potential career season, well on track for an elusive first batting title. 'He's just been relentless,' Roberts said last month. Advertisement Now, however, one of the game's best hit collectors can't seem to buy a knock most days. His batting average has fallen all the way to .309 entering Friday. Before his Thursday afternoon single, he was 0-for-11 in the Rockies series and one-for-his-last-22 overall. 'I have seen some signs where he's hit some balls hard and hasn't gotten anything to show for it,' Roberts said, searching for positives amid Freeman's highly uncharacteristic slump. 'That's discouraging for him. But I just know he's gonna find his way out of it.' To this point, though, he hasn't, with his usual routine of slump-busting drills — from a net exercise designed to promote an inside-out bat path, to mental cues intended to help him stay back in his swing — having yet to get his mechanics re-aligned. 'I've gone through every cue 16 times over again in the last six weeks,' he said. 'So just waiting for it to click.' Advertisement Though Freeman, who also battled a minor quadriceps injury in recent weeks, still looks hobbled while running the bases and playing defense at times, he insisted the problems aren't injury-related. 'The only pain is the swing,' he said. And despite his best efforts to conceal such frustrations during games, Roberts has noticed the toll his slump has started to take. 'I think he just wants consistency from his swing,' Roberts said. 'Wants to feel right consistently.' Somewhat amazingly, the Dodgers haven't missed a beat even with their superstar pairing clearly out of tune. The team is 13-4 in its last 17 games. The offense has scored six runs per game in that span, half-a-run better than its already MLB-leading season average. Other middle-of-the-order bats — from current NL batting leader Will Smith, to June player of the month candidate Max Muncy and rising second-year star Andy Pages — have helped pick up the slack. Advertisement Read more: Max Muncy gets help from the rain, then hits a grand slam to lead Dodgers past hapless Rockies Ohtani, meanwhile, leads the National League with 28 home runs even while returning to two-way duties. But in the long run, much of the Dodgers' success still figures to run through Betts and Freeman. They are still the two most veteran, experienced producers in a lineup full of All-Star caliber talent. At the very least, Roberts insisted, Thursday offered 'something to build on.' But with the way the last month has gone for each, there remains a lot of work left to do. Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Why Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have struggled at the plate lately for the Dodgers
DENVER — As the Dodgers completed a sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, it was two of their cornerstone hitters who helped lead the way. In what was then a tie game in the top of the sixth inning, Mookie Betts led off with a double in the gap, Freddie Freeman brought him home with a line drive to right, and the Dodgers took a lead they wouldn't relinquish, completing a three-game sweep that kept them tied for the best record in baseball. For much of the last four years, that would've been an unremarkable sequence. Shohei Ohtani might be the most potent hitter in the Dodgers' lineup, but Betts and Freeman have long been the bedrock of their offense; All-Stars in each season they've played in Los Angeles, and MVP candidates more often than not. On Thursday, however, their sixth-inning heroics had a different feel. Because, for the last three weeks, both superstars have been mired in startlingly stark slumps. Over Betts' last 17 games, the former MVP is batting .191 with only one home run and eight RBIs — dropping his season-long production to just a shade above league average (he has a 106 OPS+, an all-encompassing stat in which 100 is considered league average). Freeman's last 20 games have been even worse, highlighted by a .160 average that marks the lowest of any single-season, 20-game stretch in his entire career — diminishing the stellar numbers he had this year beforehand. Such coinciding struggles haven't triggered any 'long-term concerns,' manager Dave Roberts said this week. Thursday's game provided some long-awaited production, a sigh of relief for two veteran sluggers who don't often need one. But still, the numbers are the numbers. A trip to even hitter-friendly Coors Field failed to fully bring them back to life. And until they rebound, external questions about their bats will linger, while their personal search for answers will carry on. 'I've been frustrated for about six weeks now,' Freeman said recently. 'If I knew [what was wrong],' Betts echoed this week, 'I promise you I wouldn't keep doing it.' It wasn't long ago that both Betts and Freeman were on polar opposite trajectories, surging through most of May and early June on offensive heaters that evaporated their slow (and physically hampered) starts to the campaign. On April 28, Betts was hitting only .230 with an OPS nearly below .700, clearly affected by a stomach virus that drained him over the two weeks leading up to opening day. Then, in a 32-game stretch from April 29-June 7, his typical levels of production suddenly reappeared. He hit .312 with four doubles, four home runs and an .835 OPS. And he did it all while showing defensive mastery of shortstop, quieting a growing narrative that the toll of his new position was curbing his capabilities at the plate. 'It's not about shortstop,' Betts said last month. 'Because remember, last year, I was playing pretty well [offensively while] playing at shortstop. I had no idea what I was doing. Now, I'm way more confident in how I show up and prepare each and every day. The shortstop argument can't be it.' Given his recent skid, however, such speculation is back. 'I'm gonna hold to no,' Roberts said when asked about the dynamic again this week. 'I think it's a fair debate. But all I can go with is what Mookie is saying, as far as the separation of the hitting to the defense, the comfort level with the defense … So I don't think there's a correlation.' Instead, Roberts pointed to a lack of power as a bigger factor. Betts' .392 slugging percentage thus far is 50 points worse than his previous career-low (which came in his rookie 2014 season). He ranks below league-average in underlying metrics such as exit velocity, hard-hit percentage and bat speed most of all (slipping to the 11th percentile among MLB hitters in that category). 'I think it's the lack of hitting the ball on the barrel,' Roberts said. 'He's a guy that knows how to find the barrel. But there's times that he's chasing a little bit more than he usually does. And then there's a lot more pop-ups than typical. So to get power, you gotta find the barrel. That's what we're trying to do.' Freeman has endured even more whiplash amid his rollercoaster season. At the end of May, he was leading the National League with a .374 batting average. He was seemingly compensating for whatever lingering pain remained in the right ankle he had surgically repaired in the offseason, then re-aggravated with a slip in the shower at the end of March. Even at age 35, he appeared primed for a potential career season, well on track for an elusive first batting title. 'He's just been relentless,' Roberts said last month. Now, however, one of the game's best hit collectors can't seem to buy a knock most days. His batting average has fallen all the way to .309 entering Friday. Before his Thursday afternoon single, he was 0-for-11 in the Rockies series and one-for-his-last-22 overall. 'I have seen some signs where he's hit some balls hard and hasn't gotten anything to show for it,' Roberts said, searching for positives amid Freeman's highly uncharacteristic slump. 'That's discouraging for him. But I just know he's gonna find his way out of it.' To this point, though, he hasn't, with his usual routine of slump-busting drills — from a net exercise designed to promote an inside-out bat path, to mental cues intended to help him stay back in his swing — having yet to get his mechanics re-aligned. 'I've gone through every cue 16 times over again in the last six weeks,' he said. 'So just waiting for it to click.' Though Freeman, who also battled a minor quadriceps injury in recent weeks, still looks hobbled while running the bases and playing defense at times, he insisted the problems aren't injury-related. 'The only pain is the swing,' he said. And despite his best efforts to conceal such frustrations during games, Roberts has noticed the toll his slump has started to take. 'I think he just wants consistency from his swing,' Roberts said. 'Wants to feel right consistently.' Somewhat amazingly, the Dodgers haven't missed a beat even with their superstar pairing clearly out of tune. The team is 13-4 in its last 17 games. The offense has scored six runs per game in that span, half-a-run better than its already MLB-leading season average. Other middle-of-the-order bats — from current NL batting leader Will Smith, to June player of the month candidate Max Muncy and rising second-year star Andy Pages — have helped pick up the slack. Ohtani, meanwhile, leads the National League with 28 home runs even while returning to two-way duties. But in the long run, much of the Dodgers' success still figures to run through Betts and Freeman. They are still the two most veteran, experienced producers in a lineup full of All-Star caliber talent. At the very least, Roberts insisted, Thursday offered 'something to build on.' But with the way the last month has gone for each, there remains a lot of work left to do.
Fox Sports
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Who is Alex Freeman? U.S. defender on the World Cup, his dad and fútbol over football
Alex Freeman has been asked about Antonio Freeman lately – including what's the favorite highlight of his dad from the NFL days. The younger Freeman readily answers, saying it's his dad's famous game-winning catch in overtime on Monday Night Football from 2000 that even got play-by-play announcer Al Michaels to exclaim "He did what?!" in disbelief. "Very, very important for Packers fans," Freeman said. But Alex is also making his own impression – it's just on a different type of field. At age 20, Freeman is the youngest player on the U.S. men's national team roster at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He's already started all three games for the U.S. at right-back, helping the team reach the tournament's quarterfinals. And he was named this week as This USMNT squad is missing several key stars at the Gold Cup for various reasons. Rest from long seasons. Injuries. Playing in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup. But that's given rising talents like Freeman the chance to make a big impression on U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino. So, who is Alex Freeman? Here's what he had to say about his burgeoning soccer career, his dream about reaching the World Cup – and yes, his Super Bowl-winning dad. What was it like to get your first USMNT call-up, and to have it be for something as important as the Gold Cup? Alex Freeman: It means a lot. I feel like this is something that is very important to the U.S., to the team, and to myself. It's an honor to get called up and represent the country at this high-level tournament. It's just something that pushes all of us each day in training and especially in the games, to be able to win and try to get a trophy out of this. Were you expecting to be on this roster or were you surprised? Freeman: I would say I was surprised. I was just grateful to be on the [60-man] preliminary roster. Knowing that I was chosen for that final roster was a very big surprise for me and something that I'm forever grateful for. What has the USMNT camp and the tournament experience been like for you so far? Freeman: It's been good getting to know all the guys. We have a good group here, but also just being able to build chemistry with these guys in practice and everything like that. It's something that, you know, going into this camp that I really wanted to do was be able to get to know the guys' stories, where they come from and all that. And it's been good so far. Did you have expectations that you would be starting and playing as much as you have at this point? Freeman: When I came in, I was just going to work and see what Pochettino wanted and how I could fit his playing style. I didn't think I was going to play this much, but I just have to show [what I can do] when I'm on the field and just take my chances and show him why I deserve to be out there in the first place. What's your favorite highlight from your dad and how many times have you watched it? Freeman: (laughs) My favorite highlight is probably the Monday Night Football catch when he's on the ground and [the ball] hits his shoulder and he kind of catches it and gets up and scores the winning touchdown. It was a rivalry game [against the Vikings], so that was something that was very, very important for Green Bay fans. When I was a kid, I would watch that over and over and over. I'd look up 'Top 10 catches' and it would always be there. It was just a big moment for him and something that I admire. What is your dad's favorite highlight of your career and how many times has he watched it? Freeman: It's probably the one when I had my first start [at Orlando] and scored a goal against Toronto. He has a whole video of himself that he recorded and it's very popular. I think you could just tell in that moment that he was excited and happy. I saw him after the game and he actually couldn't believe it. I feel like that will be a moment he will remember forever. Was it tough to break it to your dad that you were going to play fútbol and not the same football he played? Freeman: It wasn't tough to tell him because he just wanted me to do something that I was passionate about and be able to excel at something. When I was younger, I played all the sports and when it came time, I chose [soccer] and I feel like he was supporting me the whole time. Obviously, it's weird telling your dad, who played another sport, that you want to play [a different sport]. But I feel like at the end of the day, he accepted it and just supported me. How close are you guys? Does he come to all of your games? Freeman: He's been to all the games at the Gold Cup and I think he's coming to the game in Dallas, too. He's just making this his own little vacation. But yeah, he's very supportive. Even in Orlando, he comes to a lot of the games. Who else is part of that support system that comes to your games? Freeman: I have a lot. My mom, my stepdad, and then I have my two little brothers and I feel like they're really the ones that I play for the most because they're the ones who look up to me as an example. And I feel like for them, it's just being able to be that good role model. [Tyler, 15, and Josh, 13] are both soccer players as well and just want to do what I'm doing. So just to be able to guide them in the right direction or any direction they want to go through. They must think you playing for the USMNT is pretty cool then? Freeman: Yeah, yeah. Whenever I go home, I watch them play and they tell all their friends [about my career]. It's good they're able to brag about me a little bit (laughs). Who is the coolest person you've met through your dad? Freeman: I've met a lot of cool people through him. The most notable one I'd say is Scottie Pippen. When I was little, I was a big basketball fan so seeing him was really enjoyable. When did you realize your dad was a Super Bowl-winning wide receiver? Freeman: When I was younger you'd hear about it, but you don't really understand it fully. I think I understood it when I was in middle school. Like in sixth grade I actually started doing research on my dad — it's funny. I realized how inspirational he was not just in Wisconsin, but to football in general. And so I think that was when I really realized how much of an impact he made on the game and in Green Bay. Are the Packers your favorite team? Freeman: Yeah, the Packers are my favorite team. But my second favorite team is probably the Steelers because my stepdad is a big Steelers fan. Who was the first person you called or texted when you found out you made the roster? Freeman: My mom [Rochelle]. What do you like to do when you're not playing soccer? Any cool or unique hobbies? Freeman: I've been getting into golf a lot. And I like to read. Right now I'm reading this book called 'Win The Day' [by Mark Batterson]. It's about being your best self. What's your pre-game meal? Freeman: Pasta and chicken. That's a must. The U.S. women's national team loves to get on TikTok during training camp. Is that something this younger USMNT group does too? Freeman: We don't really post, but we're the type to see a trend on TikTok and do it. We'll make little jokes about it or stuff like that. But the dancing and posting, this isn't really the group that does that. What would it mean to you to be on the U.S. World Cup roster next year? Freeman: It would mean the world to me. That's what every kid dreams of. And I feel like it's something that everyone wants to work towards and be able to get there. And so right now, it's just about putting your head down and putting in that extra work to be able to show the coaches here and to show the world that you're ready to compete at that level against the best. Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman . FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Alex Freeman United States Gold Cup recommended Get more from United States Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Perth Now
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Martin Freeman and Iain Armitage cast in The Adam Trials
Martin Freeman and Iain Armitage are to star in The Adam Trials. The duo have signed up to appear in the psychological thriller that contains a sci-fi twist from writer-director Ben Katai. The movie centres on the story of two parents who will do anything to save the life of their terminally ill son, including experimenting with nanotechnology that begins to show successful signs but at a dark cost. Compelling Pictures are producing the film whilst Freeman is on board as an executive producer with Noah Rosen, Dennis Casali, Matthew Gallagher and Steven Garcia. Casting for the female lead has started as the movie aims to shoot this year. Katai - who previously collaborated with Freeman on the crime drama series StartUp - said: "This movie has been a dream of mine for quite some time now, as has the opportunity to work with Martin again. "Now with Iain's talent in the mix, I am counting the seconds until we start rolling." Compelling Pictures boss Denis O'Sullivan said: "As lifelong fans of thought-provoking, grounded sci-fi, it's thrilling to be part of bringing this pressure-cooker of a movie to the screen with the enormously talented Ben Katai. "Audiences will be on the edge of their seats watching the cat-and-mouse game that unfolds between Martin and Iain as the story hurtles towards a stunning final twist." Martin's previous film credits include Love Actually and The Hobbit franchise and he revealed back in 2022 that he would "consider" directing a big screen flick. The 53-year-old actor told Collider: "It's something that I would consider. I do think about it. I change with it, really. Sometimes when I'm on set and I see what a director does, I look at it and go, 'Yeah, I could do that. I'd be right with this part of it.' However, the Black Panther star isn't sure if he has the "mental bandwidth" to deal with the "endless questions" that are asked of directors during the making of a movie. Martin said: "But then, there are other parts of directing that I'm still not sure I'd have the mental bandwidth for, just with the endless questions and how you have to be across everything. I know I would enjoy the bits where I'm rehearsing with actors. I don't know how good I'd be at the other stuff, or how much I'd enjoy that stuff. But never say never. If I get the confidence to think I could do it, then maybe so." The star plays CIA operative Everett K. Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) but admits that there was a "gap" on set of the movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever without the late Chadwick Boseman, who played the title role in the original film before his death from cancer at the age of 43 in 2020. Freeman said: "It was strange, that side of it. On the one hand, you're making the film that you're there to make, and there are scores and scores of people on set, joined in this endeavor to make the film. But there's also no question that, at the heart of it, there's quite a gap now, and you felt it."
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
EXCLUSIVE: Longhorns baseball transfer Kaleb Freeman reflects on his journey to Texas
Since the 2025 campaign came to an end, Longhorns baseball has wasted no time improving their roster. That has led to multiple additions in the transfer portal, including Kaleb Freeman. The former Georgia State is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. In 51 games for Georgia State, Freeman posted a .358 batting average while driving in 45 runs. He also showed some power, as 42 of his 68 hits went for extra bases. Due to his performance at the plate, the Georgia native was a popular prospect in the portal. While Freeman had plenty of options, his conversations with the Longhorns coaching staff, including former MLB star Troy Tulowitzki, sealed the deal. "We had so many similar traits," Freeman said. "When we were sitting in his office, he was like, dude, I love the way you play; I love your fire and your passion. I know that you had to scratch and claw for everything you got, and I had to do the same thing. We were able to relate on a bunch of different things that you can't put a price tag on. He showed, along with Coach Schlossnagle and Coach Caine, how much they valued me. That is huge for me because I've been to places I wasn't valued." When Freeman makes his Longhorns debut, it will make the fourth program he has played for. His college career has included stops at Auburn, North Georgia, and Georgia State. Each stop has presented its own set of challenges that have made Freeman a better player. "I would say each spot has held its challenges and things I've had to learn," Freeman said." The University of North Georgia was basically like, 'It's time to grow up a little bit.' Auburn was kind of different. I feel like it showed me how to be a better person outside of baseball. It showed me that there is more to life than just baseball. At Georgia State, all the pieces fit together, and all those guys took me under their wing. The only word I have for it is that it was awesome." Although Freeman's stint at Georgia State was short, he made the most of his time. He was named the 2025 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year. The honors didn't stop there, as Freeman earned a spot on the 2025 All-Sun Belt 2nd team. For Freeman, the focus is now building on his stellar 2025 campaign. Freeman's success was due to the freedom he had to be himself under Georgia State's coaching staff. "I would say the freedom of letting me be the guy who was called to be on the field," said Freeman. " I am a very fiery and passionate guy. Whenever I get the freedom to go out and be that guy, that's when the stats will go up. There were some points in the season last year when I struggled mentally because I was pressing mentally. It took off so much pressure not having to worry about the draft and just focus on this game I love and have gotten to play my entire life." With Freeman on the roster, Texas is in a good position to end its national title drought.
