Freddie Freeman knew Wednesday morning that he wouldn’t play in Game 4 against the San Diego Padres.
The Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman had breakfast with manager Dave Roberts, and the two agreed that he would not be playing even though the team was facing elimination.
Despite knowing the situation, Roberts wrote Freeman’s name in the lineup anyway.
“It was a little gamesmanship,” Freeman said.
A little less than two hours before the first pitch, Freeman was officially scratched.
The Dodgers routed the Padres, 8-0, at Petco Park to force Game 5 on Friday.