Freddie Freeman Hits 100th Career Home Run as Dodgers Defeat Braves in High-Profile Series Freddie Freeman reached a career milestone on Friday night, hitting his 100th home run as a member of the Dodgers to help secure a 3-1 victory over the Braves at Dodger Stadium. The solo home run in the sixth inning provided an important insurance run for the Dodgers, who were looking to build momentum as they opened a high-profile series against an Atlanta team arriving in Los Angeles with a 26-12 record, tied with the Cubs for the best in MLB. Freeman’s milestone came against his former club, the Braves, whom he had played for during his first 12 seasons. With the home run off Chris Sale, he now has six home runs and a .977 OPS against the Braves since joining the Dodgers. Freeman described the swing that produced the home run as one he hadn’t executed in a month, emphasizing that his recent adjustments had paid off. “To put a swing like that … obviously, my work has been better the last few days,” he said. The mechanical tweak involved a foot turn in his stance during the previous series in Houston, which helped keep his hip closed and allowed the ball to travel deeper into the strike zone. Freeman noted that this change was a departure from his usual approach, which had focused on mental and external adjustments. “I've always done little tweaks mentally [and] externally. This time, I just did a foot turn. … I've thought sometimes, you got to think differently up in the box. And I went with a foot turn, and it's worked.” Manager Dave Roberts praised Freeman’s willingness to adapt, calling it a positive sign for the veteran’s growth. “It is good for me to see him kind of change some things,” Roberts said. “He’s a smart player and understanding that at some point in a career, you’ve got to make some adjustments.#freddie_freeman #dodgers #dodger_stadium #emmet_sheehan #braves
Roki Sasaki's Splitter Emerges as Key Weapon in Dodgers' Victory Over Cubs Roki Sasaki made a significant stride in his Major League Baseball (MLB) development during the Dodgers' 12-4 victory over the Cubs on Saturday, showcasing a revamped splitter that became his most frequently used pitch. The 23-year-old Japanese star, who has long been lauded for his potential, faced challenges in his rookie season due to inconsistencies with his fastball, which limited his ability to effectively complement his splitter. This year, however, Sasaki has embraced adjustments to his arsenal, with his splitter proving instrumental in the game. The splitter, a pitch Sasaki has called his "signature offering," was thrown 48 times during the start, the highest usage of any pitch in his MLB career this season. This marked a notable shift from his previous season, when the splitter accounted for only half of his pitches on May 9, 2023. The pitch’s effectiveness was underscored by its improved velocity and spin rate. Sasaki averaged 90.8 mph with the splitter, a 5.8 mph increase from his season average, and his spin rate reached 991 rpm, significantly higher than his typical 574 rpm. These metrics align with his performance during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where his splitter averaged 91 mph and around 1,100 rpm. Manager Dave Roberts highlighted the splitter’s evolution, noting that it now "tunnels more like the fastball," a characteristic that could lead to more swing-and-miss outcomes. Despite allowing four runs, including three solo home runs, Sasaki pitched into the sixth inning for the first time this season, demonstrating improved durability. His ability to command the splitter early in counts also stood out, as he secured a first-pitch strike in nine of 10 instances.#dave_roberts #dodgers #cubs #roki_sasaki #splitter
Week of April 6: Five Major MLB Series to Watch as Opening Week Concludes The Opening Week of the 2026 MLB season has wrapped up, but the calendar remains packed with high-stakes matchups. From World Series rematches to the return of a team to its historic ballpark and the debut of baseball’s top prospect, the week of April 6 promises a slate of games that will test the mettle of the league’s best teams. Here’s a breakdown of five series to keep an eye on, each carrying its own narrative, stakes, and potential for drama. The Dodgers and Blue Jays will square off in a three-game series starting Monday, marking the second-earliest World Series rematch in history. The 2025 Fall Classic saw the Dodgers clinch their first repeat championship since the 1998-2000 Yankees, with a thrilling Game 6 and 7 sweep in Toronto. This season’s rematch is a rare opportunity for the Blue Jays to exact revenge, though the Dodgers’ dominance in the series—winning 11 of the last 12 matchups—suggests the challenge will be steep. A key storyline will center on Tuesday’s pitching duel between Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Kevin Gausman. Yamamoto’s historic Game 7 performance in the 2025 World Series, where he pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, has left Toronto fans wary. Meanwhile, Gausman has been dominant in 2026, allowing just one run in his first two starts while striking out 21 batters. The Blue Jays’ offense, which narrowly missed the World Series MVP award last year, will need to capitalize on Yamamoto’s potential struggles. The AL Central rivalry between the Royals and Guardians kicks off on Monday as well, with Kansas City looking to break a two-year losing streak against Cleveland. The Royals have dominated the season series in the last decade, winning once in the past 10 campaigns, but the Guardians’ recent surge—led by superstars Bobby Witt Jr.#mlb #yoshinobu_yamamoto #dodgers #blue_jays #kevin_gausman
Dodgers News: Edwin Diaz to Bring Timmy Trumpet's "Narcos" Theme to Los Angeles As the 2026 MLB season approaches, Los Angeles Dodgers fans are eagerly anticipating the debut of new additions to the roster, including Edwin Diaz, who has signed a lucrative free-agent contract. The focus is on whether Diaz will bring his iconic "Narcos" entrance theme, a signature element of his career, to Dodger Stadium. Diaz, known for his electrifying presence on the mound, has long been associated with the high-energy "Narcos" song by Timmy Trumpet and Blasterjaxx. The track, which blends electronic beats with a dramatic trumpet solo, became a staple of his walk-up music during his time with the Seattle Mariners. After briefly switching to a different song during his tenure with the New York Mets, Diaz returned to "Narcos" in 2023, sparking a wave of fan enthusiasm. The Mets even incorporated the theme into merchandise, including bobbleheads and foam trumpet giveaways, cementing its place in the team’s culture. Now, with Diaz joining the Dodgers, fans are curious about how the theme will translate to Dodger Stadium. NBC Los Angeles reporter Olivia Garvey highlighted the significance of the moment, noting that the "Narcos" entrance would mark the first time Diaz steps onto the field at the iconic venue. “If all you Dodgers fans aren’t excited enough for OPENING DAY… For the first time at Dodger Stadium… We finally get to see Edwin Diaz come out of the Bullpen to the Trumpets,” Garvey wrote. The Dodgers’ 2026 lineup includes returning stars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, alongside new additions such as Kyle Tucker and Santiago Espinal. Diaz’s role as the team’s closer is expected to address their late-inning struggles, adding another layer of excitement for the season.#los_angeles #dodgers #edwin_diaz #timmy_trumpet #blasterjaxx
2026 MLB Predictions: Playoffs, World Series, MVPs and More The 2026 Major League Baseball season kicks off with the Yankees facing the Giants in a Wednesday night opener, followed by 11 Opening Day games on Thursday. With the regular season underway, ESPN’s MLB writers, analysts, and editors have shared their predictions for the year, covering everything from playoff contenders and World Series champions to MVPs, Cy Young winners, and Rookie of the Year finalists. The American League and National League are filled with questions heading into the season. Will the Dodgers become the first team since the 1998-2000 Yankees to three-peat as World Series champions? How will stars like Freddy Peralta (Mets) and Alex Bregman (Cubs) perform in new environments? Which team will dominate the competitive AL East? What will Shohei Ohtani’s first full season as a two-way player look like for the Dodgers? And what surprises might the playoffs bring? While no one can predict the future with certainty, ESPN’s 30 contributors have made their best guesses. Their forecasts span from wild-card contenders to the World Series champion, along with awards in both leagues. For each category, voters have explained their reasoning, though accuracy remains to be seen. The predictions will be revisited in October to assess how well—or poorly—they held up. In the American League, the Yankees are the top pick with 16 votes, despite the Blue Jays’ recent dominance. Voters believe New York’s roster overhaul, including the return of Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and potential contributions from Ben Rice and Carlos Lagrange, could elevate them. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, face challenges with injuries and the departure of Bo Bichette, though their offseason additions like Dylan Cease give them a strong chance.#giants #mlb #espn #yankees #dodgers
Zach Root makes pro debut in Dodgers' Spring Breakout Zach Root, the Dodgers' No. 13 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, made a strong impression in his professional debut during Saturday night's 11-10 victory over the White Sox prospects at Camelback Ranch. The left-hander, selected as the 40th overall pick in last year's draft, pitched three near-perfect innings, striking out eight of the 10 batters he faced. His performance tied the single-game strikeout record at the Spring Breakout event, showcasing his potential as a rising star in the Dodgers' system. Root's outing was particularly notable in a game where pitchers from both teams issued 27 walks, allowing the offenses to dominate. Despite the high number of free passes, Root remained in control, allowing only one hit—a single to Braden Montgomery in the sixth inning. His ability to keep hitters off balance was highlighted by his curveball, which accounted for three of his strikeouts. Root emphasized the importance of mastering this pitch during his development, noting that his inconsistent curveball in previous seasons made it easier for opponents to anticipate his offerings. The Dodgers' farm system has historically struggled with pitching depth, but Root's performance suggests he could be a key addition to the organization's future plans. His success in the Spring Breakout event has reinforced his potential to make the Top 100 prospects list, a goal he had previously mentioned as a possibility. If he can build on this debut, Root could quickly become a standout in the Dodgers' minor league ranks. Other Dodgers prospects also made their mark during the event. OF/1B James Tibbs III, the team's No. 11 prospect, hit a three-run homer off Nick Weyrich in the second inning.#zach_root #dodgers #mlb_pipeline #spring_breakout #braden_montgomery
