Freddie Freeman Rates Dodgers’ 1st Half, Eyes ‘High Intensity’ Road Trip

The Los Angeles Dodgers may have the best record in baseball, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune from criticism.

Just ask first baseman Freddie Freeman, who is in Philadelphia for the All-Star Game and addressed the team’s first-half performance, which included many highs, as well as some reasons for concern.

‘Pretty thrilled’ with best record in baseball

Speaking with reporters, Freeman started with the positive, including the team’s best record in baseball at 61-36.

“I mean, when you end 25 games over .500, I think everyone’s going to be pretty thrilled about how we played,” he said.

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However, he quickly segued to the recent downturn that’s concerned many Dodgers fans.

The team was recently swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks — their first time being swept this season — and have now lost five of their last seven games, making the All-Star break a perfect time for a reset.

“Obviously, the past weekend wasn’t the best, but the break came at the right time,” he said. “We get a few days off.”

That time to rest is especially needed for the team’s numerous injured stars, perhaps none more so than superstar Shohei Ohtani, who’s dealing with knee, arm and finger issues.

“Hopefully, Sho can get healthy,” Freeman said. “We have a couple guys coming back after the All-Star break. You have Kike [Hernandez] going to come back. Blake Snell’s going to come back. Tyler [Glasnow’s] back is starting to feel better. So we got reinforcements coming, and we still had a really good first half. So I like how we are. We’re playing great baseball.”

A tough challenge remains ahead of the Dodgers

Those reinforcements are getting set to return at an ideal time, as the Dodgers resume the regular season with a tough stretch of three East Coast series.

The Dodgers travel to face the New York Yankees from July 17 to 19, the Philadelphia Phillies from July 20 to 22, and the New York Mets from July 24 to 26.

That extended trip facing well-funded big-market teams provides a chance to refocus and prepare for a run at a third straight World Series title.

“Starting in the East Coast against these teams that we’re going to face really kicks off the energy, the high intensity,” Freeman said. “It’s kind of what we need.”

Do you think the Dodgers will play with more intensity on this East Coast trip?