Freeman: Forcing Sale out after five shaped Game 3

Freeman homered off Sale for 3-0 lead

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 56m1 min read

Video via @MLBNetwork on X

What happened: Freddie Freeman said getting Chris Sale out after five innings counted as a win no matter the score. Sale fanned Freeman to open NLDS Game 3 before the same Freeman who homered off Sale for a 3-0 lead connected.

Why it matters: Knocking out an ace early shifts NLDS Game 3 bullpen matchups and ends the starter's control of counts. The meeting was a rematch of Sale's 1-0 shutout in August.

By the numbers: Sale completed five innings in Game 3. Freeman homered off Sale to make it 3-0. Their prior August meeting ended as a 1-0 shutout for Sale.

What to watch: The rest of the NLDS pitching sequence looms after the early bullpen turn.

Sources

@MLBNetwork 2026-10-08T12:36:40.025855+00:00

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