What happened: Dave Roberts said he is more confident Freddie Freeman will excel despite lingering injuries after the way Freeman looked Thursday in an intrasquad game. Roberts added that he expects Shohei Ohtani to play well as Los Angeles opens the postseason with both stars under a health spotlight.

Why it matters: That matters for a Dodgers lineup trying to carry October production from the middle of the order while managing Ohtani's knee and bicep issues into the month and Freeman's recent right knee issue. In a short series, any sign Freeman can handle his at-bats and movement cleanly gives Los Angeles less reason to trim its usual offensive look.

What to watch: Watch the next Dodgers lineup card and any pregame update on Freeman's mobility. Ohtani's workload and Freeman's status will frame how close the club is to its preferred postseason order.