The Los Angeles Dodgers will have Freddie Freeman back for Game 3 of the National League Division Series. The former MVP left Game 2 on Sunday with an ankle injury. When the Dodgers posted their lineup for the game against the Padres, it had Freeman in his usual spot.

Freeman has had a great season hitting third for the Dodgers. He hit .282 with a .856 OPS and 21 home runs from that position. Because he has been behind the phenomenal Shohei Ohtani for most of the season, he has gotten a lot of pitches to hit.

The first baseman is battling through an ankle injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that he was a question mark as recently as Monday but he will start Tuesday's game. Kiké Hernandez replaced him in Game 2 when he came out because of the injury.

The Dodgers hit the road with the series tied at one. They lost Game 2 at home 10-2 after the lengthy delay for fans throwing things on the field. Freeman will be key to making sure they clinch their spot in the NLCS.

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Freddie Freeman must step up for the Dodgers in the postseason

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) runs to first on a single in the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres during game one of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani struggled in his second-ever postseason game, going 0-5 against Yu Darvish and Tanner Scott. Mookie Betts had a home run robbed by Jurickson Profar, which started the chaos between the Padres and the fans. The Dodgers have a great chance to win the World Series with all three of those players going.

Freeman and Betts have a tremendous amount of postseason experience. They both won championships with their previous teams, the Braves and Red Sox respectively. They can give this team a veteran boost by being the dominant players they've been in their careers. The Dodgers have a tough matchup against Michael King but can lead the Dodgers to victory in the pivotal Game 3. The first pitch is at 9:08 Eastern time.