Dodgers make big lineup change ahead of NLDS Game 4

Aug 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a change to their lineup just hours before Game 4 of their NLDS against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif. on Wednesday.

The Dodgers initially had Freddie Freeman in the lineup at first base and batting third. However, they later scratched Freeman from the lineup.

Instead, the Dodgers moved Max Muncy from third to first base; Enrique Hernandez from center field to third base; put Chris Taylor in center field; and they moved Teoscar Hernandez to the third spot in the batting lineup.

Freeman has been playing through an ankle injury that he sustained on Sept. 26. Freeman had said that the injury would typically have kept him out several weeks, but he returned to play in the NLDS. The 8-time All-Star tweaked his ankle in Games 2 and 3 of the series, and the Dodgers decided he couldn’t play in Game 4.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had seemingly been prepared to potentially play Game 4 without Freeman. He had termed Freeman’s ankle just “OK.”

Dave Roberts on Freddie Freeman’s health: pic.twitter.com/c6kWLXIISM

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) October 9, 2024

Freeman is 3-for-11 this series.