Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was prepared with another option.
Just more than four hours before Saturday’s 7-5 win in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Roberts had an alternate lineup without Freddie Freeman’s name. He was almost certain his first baseman wouldn’t be playing.
He went 2-for-5 with a stolen base.
Freeman arrived at the park at 11 a.m., more than 6.5 hours before the first pitch. By 1:30, he still believed he had only a “very, very slim chance” of making it into the lineup.