Freddie Freeman returned to Truist Park as a visiting player on Oct. 6, 2026, and received a different reception from the Atlanta Braves crowd. The former franchise star was booed during his first postseason game in Atlanta as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Freeman responded with his bat. In the fourth inning of Game 3 of the National League Division Series, he launched a solo home run off Braves starter Chris Sale, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 3-0. The swing changed the atmosphere inside the ballpark.
The Dodgers won 3-1, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. Freeman’s home run became the defining moment of his return, combining postseason pressure, a hostile reception and a powerful response from a player who had once been a hometown favorite.
A robbed home run made Freeman’s next swing even bigger
Freeman’s fourth-inning homer carried extra significance because of what happened one inning earlier. With a runner on first and nobody out in the third, Freeman drove a ball toward the left-field wall, but Braves outfielder Mauricio Dubón made a leaping catch that likely prevented a two-run home run.
The ball left Freeman’s bat at 101.3 mph. Dubón’s catch retired Freeman and gave Atlanta a defensive highlight before the Dodgers broke through against Sale in the following inning.
Freeman did not have to wait long for another chance. In the fourth inning, he drove Sale’s inside sinker over the right-center-field wall for a solo home run. This time, Atlanta’s defense could not keep the ball in the park.
Twelve MLB seasons with Atlanta made the return personal
Freeman played 12 MLB seasons with the Braves, becoming one of the club’s most recognizable players. Atlanta selected him in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft, and he developed in the organization before making his major-league debut in 2010.
He earned the 2020 National League MVP Award and played a central role in Atlanta’s 2021 World Series championship. Those accomplishments established a lasting connection between Freeman and the fan base, making his appearance in a Dodgers uniform during a postseason game emotionally complicated.
Freeman entered free agency after the 2021 season and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The postseason produced a different atmosphere from his previous returns to Atlanta: The Braves were fighting to preserve their season, while Freeman was trying to help the Dodgers eliminate his former team.
Freeman refused to turn the boos into a feud
After the game, Freeman made it clear the crowd’s reaction didn’t surprise him. He understood that Braves fans wanted their team to win and that his Dodgers uniform put him on the opposing side in the postseason.
“I’ve got a gray uniform on. I expect boos,” Freeman said after the victory. His response was calm, acknowledging the competitive reality without attacking the fans or suggesting that their reaction erased his connection to Atlanta.
Freeman also spoke warmly about his years with the Braves, recognizing the support he received while playing there. His comments showed that professional competition and personal appreciation for a former club can coexist, even when a postseason game creates a tense atmosphere.
The home run added to Freeman’s remarkable postseason record
The solo shot was Freeman’s 18th career postseason home run, tying him for 10th place on MLB’s all-time postseason home run list. The milestone reinforced his reputation as a hitter who can deliver big moments when the stakes are highest.
Freeman has built that reputation across multiple October runs with Atlanta and Los Angeles. His postseason résumé includes key contributions to Atlanta’s 2021 championship and an extraordinary performance during the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series victory over the New York Yankees.
Freeman’s power remains a major part of his postseason value, but his impact goes beyond home runs. His steady approach, ability to make contact, and experience in high-pressure situations have made him a dependable presence in October baseball.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto helped the Dodgers protect the lead
Freeman’s homer drove in a key run, but the Dodgers also needed strong pitching to secure the win. Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered 7 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 10 Atlanta batters.
Atlanta struggled to turn its opportunities into runs. The Braves finished with 5 hits and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position, leaving the offense unable to produce enough against a Dodgers pitching staff that controlled the game’s most important stretches.
The Dodgers’ bullpen finished the job after Yamamoto left, preserving the 3-1 win. Freeman’s home run was more than a personal response to the crowd; it helped establish the three-run cushion that proved sufficient in a crucial road game.
The Dodgers eliminated Atlanta in the next game
Los Angeles returned for Game 4 to close out the series, and the Dodgers delivered a 4-1 win on Oct. 7. The result ended Atlanta’s postseason run and sent Los Angeles into the National League Championship Series.
Andy Pages hit a two-run single in the seventh, and Max Muncy added a solo home run in the ninth. The Dodgers’ pitching limited Atlanta’s offense to 3 hits, continuing the challenge the Braves faced throughout the final games of the series.
Freeman didn’t need another home run in the clinching game for his return to Atlanta to matter. His Game 3 blast remained a defining highlight of the matchup, while the Dodgers’ series victory demonstrated how individual moments can contribute to a larger postseason result.
Freeman’s Atlanta return became another October memory
Freeman’s return highlighted the unusual position former franchise stars can find themselves in when they face their old teams in the playoffs. Fans remember the championships and memorable performances, but postseason intensity can change how a familiar player is received.
For Freeman, the response was straightforward: accept the crowd’s reaction, focus on the game, and deliver when the opportunity arrives. His home run against Sale followed a frustrating defensive play and helped the Dodgers move closer to advancing.
For Atlanta, the loss ended a disappointing season after the Braves reached October. For Los Angeles, Freeman’s swing helped secure a pivotal road win. The former Brave left his mark on the series without making it about anything beyond baseball.
Fun fact: Freeman became the first player to hit a home run in each of the first 4 games of a single World Series in 2024. He finished the series with 4 home runs and 12 RBIs, earning World Series MVP honors.
TL;DR
- Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run in Game 3 after the crowd booed him during his postseason return to Atlanta.
- Braves outfielder Mauricio Dubón had robbed Freeman of a potential home run in the previous inning.
- The homer was Freeman’s 18th career postseason home run.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out 10 over 7 innings as the Dodgers won Game 3, 3-1.
- Los Angeles eliminated Atlanta with a 4-1 win in Game 4 to advance to the NLCS.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
