FREDDIE FREEMAN

FOX Sports' Ben Verlander tiers over two dozen first basemen to begin his series highlighting the best MLB players at every position.

As a rare October rainstorm drenched Petco Park in the eighth inning, nobody at the packed downtown home of the San Diego Padres flinched.

"October baseball can be brutal and it happened for us.”Two years removed from winning their World Series championship in the pandemic bubble, the Dodgers have much to contemplate and plenty of time to do it during the long offseason. Starters Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney will become free agents after the World Series ends. Dustin May and Blake Treinen returned from health issues in time to make the division series roster and should be ready for spring training. The 37-year-old left-hander was left off the division series roster after a wrist injury curtailed him in September. Three years removed from being the NL MVP, the outfielder was benched for the last two games of the division series.

After winning 111 games in the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers appeared on their way to fulfilling manager Dave Roberts' spring prediction of another World Series victory.

More than four months of dazzling baseball carried the Atlanta Braves to a fifth straight NL East title.

Jake Cronenworth hit a tiebreaking, two-run single with two outs in the seventh inning and the San Diego Padres rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 to advance to the NL Championship Series for the first time since 1998.

Jake Cronenworth hit a tiebreaking, two-run single with two outs in the seventh inning and the San Diego Padres rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 Saturday night to advance to the NL Championship Series for the first time since 1998. The Padres stunned the 111-win Dodgers with a five-run seventh to win the best-of-five NL Division Series 3-1 in front of a raucous sellout crowd of 45,139 at Petco Park. “It’s about to be a party out here tonight," said starting pitcher Joe Musgrove, who grew up a Padres fan in the San Diego suburbs.

The Atlanta Braves' bid to repeat as World Series champions is over after they were eliminated in the NL Division Series.

The atmosphere at Petco Park will be absolutely electric when Blake Snell and the Padres face Tony Gonsolin and the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the first playoff game at San Diego's downtown ballpark with fans in the stands in 16 years.

The wild-card Padres beat the rival Dodgers for the first time in a postseason game. San Diego was swept 3-0 by the Dodgers in a 2020 Division Series and lost Game 1 of this series Tuesday. In the sixth, the Dodgers made two nifty defensive plays, but couldn’t keep the Padres from taking the lead. The Dodgers had a big chance to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth with runners on the corners. The Dodgers' bullpen tossed four scoreless innings in a 5-3 victory to open the series.

Manny Machado homered early and added an RBI double off Clayton Kershaw, and Jurickson Profar singled home the go-ahead run in the sixth inning as the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 to even their NL Division Series at a game apiece.

LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Trea Turner homered and doubled as the Los Angeles Dodgers started fast and held off the San Diego Padres 5-3 on Tuesday night in their NL Division Series opener. Behind 17-game winner Julio Urías, the Dodgers raced to an early 5-0 lead and appeared to be on their way to another blowout of the Padres. In the first, Turner hit a 419-foot shot into the left-field pavilion for his second career postseason homer and first as a Dodger. Two batters later, Will Smith doubled and scored on Max Muncy’s two-out single for a 2-0 lead. Turner doubled leading off and after Freddie Freeman flied out, Smith stepped in and doubled to deep left-center, nearly the same spot where Turner’s ball landed.

Trea Turner homered and doubled as the Los Angeles Dodgers started fast and held off the San Diego Padres 5-3 in their NL Division Series opener.

LOS ANGELES — (AP) — The San Diego Padres knocked off the 101-win New York Mets in the National League wild-card series. Awaiting them in the NL Division Series is an even bigger challenge: the 111-win Los Angeles Dodgers. “It’s going to be a very intense series,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Los Angeles went 15-4 against them, never lost a series and outscored them 109-47. As a result, the Dodgers are solid favorites coming into the best-of-five NLDS that begins Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

The San Diego Padres knocked off the 101-win New York Mets in the National League wild-card series.

Minnesota’s Luis Arraez finished with the lowest average for an American League batting champion since 1968, and the Mets’ Jeff McNeil won the National League title.

The entire Major League Baseball playoff picture is now set.

About 11 months ago, he plucked the last out of the World Series from the leather of his glove, screamed to the heavens and deposited it in his back pocket as he ran to celebrate with his Atlanta Braves teammates. In one shocking tweet, it became apparent that Freeman and the Braves — inseparable for so long — would go forward separately. When Freeman returned to Atlanta for the first time in June, the breakup was still fresh. All those marks would rank second in his career behind the dominant 60-game 2020 season that won him his NL MVP nod. Choose your fighter: Dodgers vs. Braves, Freeman vs. OlsonThe choice between Freeman and Olson was always a luxurious one.

William Contreras drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth, and the Atlanta Braves clinched their fifth consecutive NL East title by defeating the Miami Marlins 2-1.

Dansby Swanson and Matt Olson homered for the third straight game, Travis d’Arnaud hit a go-ahead two-run single in the third inning, and Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 5-3, completing a three-game sweep of their NL East rival and taking a two-game lead in the division with three games to play.

Honus Wagner and the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates (110-42) were the previous NL club to win 110 games. Joey Gallo had a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth for the Dodgers, and Bellinger added an RBI single to make it 6-4. With the Rockies leading 4-1 in the seventh, Colorado right-handers Dinelson Lamet and Chad Smith each walked three batters in the inning. Bellinger’s sacrifice fly tied the score. Gallo’s sacrifice fly made it 5-4, and Bellinger added an RBI single.

Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first National League team in more than a century to win 110 regular-season games, taking advantage of 10 walks to rally past the Colorado Rockies 6-4.

Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first National League team in more than a century to win 110 regular-season games, taking advantage of 10 walks to rally past the Colorado Rockies 6-4 on Saturday night. Cody Bellinger had three hits and two RBIs for the NL West champions, who are 110-48 after overcoming a three-run deficit with the help of six free passes in the seventh inning. Honus Wagner and the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates (110-42) were the previous NL club to win 110 games.

Whether you had a great fantasy baseball season or a miserable one, you are likely ready to turn the page to 2023. 3: Ronald Acuna (OF, Atlanta Braves)Acuna may have the best chance of anyone on this list to push past Judge and rank as the best fantasy asset next season. 12 Mookie Betts (OF, Los Angeles Dodgers)Betts started slowly this year (.731 OPS in April) before warming up with the weather and ranking among the best fantasy options. The 29-year-old sits second in runs scored, eighth in home runs and has been a solid contributor in the three other standard categories. My 2023 plan will be to start with a pair of hitters before attacking pitching in the subsequent two rounds.

SAN DIEGO — (AP) — Freddie Freeman helped the Atlanta Braves win the World Series last year and on Wednesday night he helped the Los Angeles Dodgers set the franchise season record with their 107th victory. Freeman singled in Mookie Betts with one out in the 10th inning and the Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 1-0 in the second straight extra-inning game between the rivals. It also put the Dodgers in position to win their ninth straight series against the Padres since June 2021. “Once Oct. 11 hits, no one's going to care how many wins you had in the regular season,” Freeman said. “I was going for a hit when Mookie was on second, trying to get the slider up,” Freeman said.

The win by the NL West champion Dodgers kept the Padres' magic number at four for clinching a wild-card berth in a full season for the first time since 2006. It also put the Dodgers in position to win their ninth straight series against the Padres since June 2021. The teams went to extra innings for the second straight night. Alex Vesia (5-0), who grew up in the San Diego area, pitched the ninth for the win. They beat St. Louis in a wild-card series in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season before being swept in the division series by the eventual World Series champion Dodgers.

Freddie Freeman singled in Mookie Betts with one out in the 10th inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 1-0 to set the franchise single-season record with their 107th win.

Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies hoped to be in this position.

PHOENIX — (AP) — Clayton Kershaw pitched seven dominant innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers won the NL West for the ninth time in 10 seasons, blanking the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0 Tuesday night. Los Angeles then beat the Giants in the NL Division Series before falling to eventual champion Atlanta in the NLCS. It’s the Dodgers’ 20th NL West crown since the majors split into divisions in 1969. He threw 96 pitches — 30 in the long second inning and 29 more in the third. BACK IN TIMEThe Dodgers activated RHP Tommy Kahnle from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday and designated RHP Heath Hembree for assignment.

Clayton Kershaw pitched seven dominant innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers won the NL West for the ninth time in 10 seasons, blanking the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0.

Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer, Tyler Anderson threw seven sharp innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-0, becoming the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot this season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, it turns out, aren’t definitely in the playoffs quite yet.

Trea Turner doubled in the go-ahead run and Max Muncy added a three-run homer in the eighth inning to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 7-3.

NEW YORK — (AP) — A radio host admitted he falsely claimed agent Casey Close never informed first baseman Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves’ last contract offer. Doug Gottlieb tweeted on June 29 that "Casey Close never told Freddie Freeman about the Braves final offer," Close and Excel Sports Management sued Gottlieb in mid-July in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, alleging defamation by libel. Gottlieb tweeted an apology Wednesday. Gottlieb also tweeted on June 29 that Freeman had fired Close. Close said he asked the team if it had any offer he could present Freeman and was told the team did not.

A radio host has admitted he falsely claimed agent Casey Close never informed first baseman Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves’ last contract offer.

Edwin Díaz struck out Gavin Lux on a 102.8 mph fastball to escape a jam in the eighth inning, and the New York Mets beat the major league-best Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3.

Freddie Freeman drove in the go-ahead run with a grounder in the top of the 10th inning, Chris Martin escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Miami Marlins 3-2.

Hey, Braves fans, hope you like the core of your team.

Dodgers Brewers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Julio Urías continued his career-long pattern of shutting down lineups after the All-Star break. Freddie Freeman and Gavin Lux homered to back Urías’ five solid innings, and the Dodgers blanked the Milwaukee Brewers 4-0 on Monday night. The Brewers got the leadoff man on base in each of the first three innings against Urías. The Dodgers added an unearned run in the fifth before Lux’s drive to left in the sixth made it 4-0.

Freddie Freeman and Gavin Lux homered to back Julio Urías’ five solid innings, and the Los Angeles Dodgers blanked the Milwaukee Brewers 4-0.

Brady Singer pitched six dominant innings and the Kansas City Royals ended the Dodgers’ 12-game winning streak by blanking Los Angeles 4-0.

Tony Gonsolin took a no-hit try into the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers won their 11th straight game, beating the Kansas City Royals 8-3.

Cody Bellinger hit two homers, Tyler Anderson allowed two hits over seven innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a statement-making sweep of the revamped San Diego Padres with a 4-0 victory.

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 8-3 for their seventh consecutive victory.

Adam Wainwright pitched seven spotless innings with longtime catcher Yadier Molina back behind the plate, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0.

All-Star third baseman Austin Riley and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a $212 million, 10-year contract, the most lucrative deal in team history and a surprise given he had three additional seasons under club control.

Dodgers Rockies Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' James Outman follows the flight of his RBI-double off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake Bird in the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 31, 2022, in Denver. Outman had 21 homers in 90 games between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma this season before being promoted Saturday. The homer landed in the Dodgers' bullpen and was retrieved by Alex Vesia, who passed it to Outman in the clubhouse. “I'm usually just trying to hit the ball as hard as I can, hit a line drive somewhere,” Outman said. The Dodgers scored two in the fourth inning for a 4-3 lead, taking advantage of the Rockies’ sloppy defense.

James Outman homered on the first swing of his first big-league at-bat and finished with three hits and three RBIs as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 7-3 and closed out July with 21 victories.

James Outman homered on the first swing of his first big-league at-bat and finished with three hits and three RBIs as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 7-3 Sunday and closed out July with 21 victories. Freddie Freeman added three hits and an RBI, passing teammate Trea Turner for the MLB lead in hits. Tony Gonsolin (12-1) bounced back from his first loss of the season as the Dodgers finished the month 21-5, tying the franchise record for most wins in July.

Luis Garcia hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and the last-place Washington Nationals rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-3 for their second straight win against the NL West leaders.

Giants Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy, second from left, hits an RBI double as San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb, left, watches along with catcher Joey Bart, right, and home plate umpire Malachi Moore during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 24, 2022, in Los Angeles. Unlikely cleanup hitter Jake Lamb delivered a tiebreaking RBI double during that three-run rally by the NL-leading Dodgers, who have 15 victories in 16 games overall. Los Angeles swept a four-game series with the Giants at Chavez Ravine for the first time since 1995 and only the third time in the archrivals' long history. Gavin Lux also drove in two runs as Los Angeles' offense overcame a mediocre start by Clayton Kershaw to earn the club's 11th consecutive victory at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers got four consecutive two-out hits in a three-run rally in the third.

The Los Angeles Dodgers surged past the San Francisco Giants with a seventh-inning rally and won 7-4 for their season-high eighth consecutive victory.

Mookie Betts broke an eighth-inning tie with a three-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 9-6 after blowing a five-run lead in the seventh.

Giancarlo Stanton and Byron Buxton homered back-to-back in the fourth inning to rally the American League over the National League 3-2 in the All-Star Game.

Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw are two-way praisers.

A lot of baseball fans are likely to be rooting for the All-Star Game to be tied after nine innings on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout will miss the All-Star Game because of back spasms, joining Bryce Harper on the sidelines and depriving the showcase of two of baseball’s best-known players.

The Baltimore Orioles have the first pick in the amateur draft for the second time in four years -- and they’ll be looking for someone who can join 2019 top pick Adley Rutschman in the core of their next contender.

Clayton Kershaw took a perfect game through the seventh and finished with eight scoreless innings of one-hit ball in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Freddie Freeman's ex-agent Casey Close threatened legal action after radio host Doug Gottlieb accused him of failing in his duties representing the now-Los Angeles Dodgers slugger. Casey Close never told Freddie Freeman about the Braves final offer, that is why Freeman fired him. Gottlieb tweeted his claim in the aftermath of Close's dismissal, prompting Close to issue a statement accusing him of publishing a "wholly inaccurate characterization of our negotiations." "Doug Gottlieb tweeted a wholly inaccurate characterization of our negotiations with the Atlanta Braves on behalf of Freddie Freeman," Close's June 29 statement reads. The next day, Close issued a statement through his agency Excel Sports accusing the Braves of fomenting a "false narrative" around Freeman's departure from Atlanta.

That includes three who, like Scherzer, were All-Star starters last year with their old teams: Freddie Freeman, Nick Castellanos and Marcus Semien. There is another full week of games to play before the All-Star Game. When was the last time brothers started in the same All-Star Game? TRIVIA ANSWERSandy Alomar Jr. was the AL starting catcher in the 1992 All-Star Game, in the same lineup with second baseman Roberto Alomar. The last brothers to appear in the same All-Star Game were the Boones in 2003, with Aaron a reserve infielder for the NL and Bret the same for the AL.

There were 15 MLB players who signed new contracts worth $100 million or more before this season.

Max Scherzer was back on the mound, striking out 11 in six scoreless innings of two-hit ball. The NL starter in last year's game, Scherzer was 5-1 with a 2.26 ERA through his comeback Tuesday night in Cincinnati, only his ninth start this year. Scherzer is making a season-record $43.3 million in the first of his $130 million, three-year deal.

Dodgers Freeman Returns Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman, formerly of the Atlanta Braves, becomes emotional during a pregame baseball news conference before taking on his former team, Friday, June 24, 2022, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) (Curtis Compton)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — The former agent of Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman says the Braves are presenting a “false narrative” about the first baseman's parting with Atlanta in March. Asked about that, he described the relationship as “fluid.”The Braves and Freeman had been negotiating a new contract after the 2021 season ended. Freeman declined Wednesday to comment on radio host Doug Gottlieb’s tweet reporting Freeman fired Close because he didn’t tell him about the Braves’ final contract offer in March. “Doug Gottlieb tweeted a wholly inaccurate characterization of our negotiations with the Atlanta Braves on behalf of Freddie Freeman.

The former agent of Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman says his ex-team, the Atlanta Braves, is presenting a “false narrative” about the first baseman’s departure in March.

The New York Yankees and Houston Astros will meet Thursday in a one-game series between AL division leaders at Minute Maid Park.

Mark Appel is proof that even for a No. 1 draft pick, the road to the major leagues is sometimes a bumpy one.

Dodgers Braves Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Trea Turner celebrates with Freddie Freeman (5) after Turner hit a home run, as Atlanta Braves catcher William Contreras watches during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 24, 2022, in Atlanta. The Braves, who remained four games behind the first-place New York Mets in the NL East, fell to 18-4 this month. Freeman shed more tears when he was presented with his World Series ring by Braves manager Brian Snitker before the game. Turner led off the game with a single and scored on Will Smith’s single. Trea Turner hit his 10th homer in the fifth, giving him three hits for the second consecutive game.

Trea Turner had three hits, including a home run, Freddie Freeman reached base three times in his emotional return to Atlanta and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Braves 4-1.

Dodgers Braves Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, left, reacts as he is presented his World Series championship ring by Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker before a baseball game Friday, June 24, 2022m in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) (Butch Dill)ATLANTA — (AP) — Freddie Freeman expected to be emotional during his anticipated return to Atlanta. Freeman had to gather himself several times when discussing his continued love for the Braves and Atlanta. Receiving his 2021 World Series championship ring, presented by Braves manager Brian Snitker in a pregame ceremony, produced more emotions from Freeman. Freddie!” Freeman answered by removing his cap and raising both arms to the fans.

Freddie Freeman wasn't prepared for the flood of feelings that came in his anticipated return to Atlanta as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the star first baseman and the NL West leaders open a weekend series at his former home. After a dozen years in Atlanta, he became a free agent and signed a $162 million, six-year deal with the Dodgers. That was three weeks ago in Cincinnati when Pham slapped Pederson in the face before a game because of a dispute over fantasy football. The outfielders will see each other again when the Reds visit San Francisco for a weekend series. Pederson said he hopes Giants fans don't take it too far when Pham is playing at Oracle Park.

Freddie Freeman is sure to get a huge ovation when he returns to Truist Park for the first time since helping lead the Atlanta Braves to the World Series championship.

Now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the star first baseman and the NL West leaders open a weekend series at his former home. After a dozen years in Atlanta, he became a free agent and signed a $162 million, six-year deal with the Dodgers. That was three weeks ago in Cincinnati when Pham slapped Pederson in the face before a game because of a dispute over fantasy football. The outfielders will see each other again when the Reds visit San Francisco for a weekend series. Pederson said he hopes that Giants fans don't take it too far when Pham is playing at Oracle Park.

Dodgers Reds Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman hits an RBI single during the eighth inning a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster) (Aaron Doster)CINCINNATI — (AP) — Freddie Freeman homered and drove in three runs ahead of what's sure to be an emotional weekend, leading Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Cincinnati Reds 10-5 Thursday for a sweep of the season series. The Dodgers now travel to Atlanta, where Freeman was the longtime face of the franchise and helped the Braves win the World Series last year. Kershaw (5-1) allowed one run and seven hits in six innings. Ashcraft surrendered five runs and eight hits over five innings in the Reds loss to the Brewers last Saturday.

Freddie Freeman homered and drove in three runs ahead of what’s sure to be an emotional weekend, leading Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Cincinnati Reds 10-5 for a sweep of the season series.

Angels Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Tony Gonsolin tossed 6 1/3 strong innings, Mookie Betts hit his 17th home run and the Los Angeles Dodgers held off the Los Angeles Angels 2-0 in their Freeway Series opener Tuesday night. The Dodgers had Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman on the field; the Angels had Ohtani and Trout. Ohtani had the Angels' first hit, a single in the fourth that extended his hitting streak to nine games. Dodgers: LHP Tyler Anderson (7-0, 3.07) is 0-3 in four career starts against the Angels with a 13.83 ERA.

Tony Gonsolin tossed 6 1/3 strong innings, Mookie Betts hit his 17th home run and the Los Angeles Dodgers held off the Los Angeles Angels 2-0 in their Freeway Series opener.

Twins Orioles Baseball Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa follows through on a swing against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez)Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins dodged a major problem this past week. Correa was just 4 for 30 through his first eight games with the Twins, but the star shortstop has hit .313 since then. Here's a look at how some of the other big free agent movers are doing so far:Freddie Freeman, Dodgers. A loss Sunday to Philadelphia was his first in his last 25 starts with the Nationals, Dodgers and Mets.

Dodgers Diamondbacks Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (5) beats Arizona Diamondbacks Daulton Varsho (12) to the base for the out during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)PHOENIX — (AP) — Zac Gallen pitched six scoreless innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks scored two runs after Max Muncy's throwing error in the eighth inning to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Wednesday. Matt Davidson put the Diamondbacks up 3-1 with a groundout off Daniel Hudson (1-1). Dodgers starter Julio Urias allowed a hit — Ahmed’s homer in the fifth — in six innings. Gallen allowed one run and four hits in nine innings over his first two starts, but didn’t win either game.

Braves Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws to an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 20, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Tony Gonsolin tossed six shutout innings, Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer in the first and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 Wednesday to take two of three from the defending World Series champions. Gonsolin (1-0) went six shutout innings for the third time in his big league career and first in two years. He visited with his old teammates in their clubhouse before the series opener, reminiscing about winning the Braves' first World Series title since 1995. His first of the season landed several rows up in the right-field pavilion and extended the Dodgers' lead to 3-0.

Diamondbacks Mets Baseball The Ukrainian flag is display in solidarity during opening ceremonies before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 15, 2022, in New York. There were 31 scheduled doubleheaders on the calendar when the lockout-delayed season began, but these first two twinbills were added because of weather. Arizona's game at Washington and San Francisco's game at the New York Mets were postponed Monday because of rain. The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox played the most recent twinbill of nine-inning games on the penultimate day of the 2019 season. In 10 games this season, New York has scored 6, 4, 3, 0, 4, 4, 3, 1, 5 and 0 runs.

Braves Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman, left, hits a solo home run as Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud watches during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, April 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. Freddie!” from the sellout crowd of 52,052 as the first baseman pumped his right arm coming into home plate. Before the game, an emotional Freeman spent time in the Braves clubhouse, reliving memories of winning last year's World Series, the franchise's first championship since 1995. The Dodgers tacked on five runs in the fourth when they batted around in a rematch of the past two NL Championship Series. Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler (1-0, 3.38) makes his fourth career start against the Braves.

Reds Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman, left, hits a solo home run as Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud watches during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, April 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Freddie Freeman arrived at Dodger Stadium and headed to the visiting clubhouse for an emotional reunion with his former Atlanta Braves teammates. Freeman joined the Dodgers in March on a $162 million, six-year deal that returned him to Southern California, where he grew up in Orange County. Jansen left the Dodgers the same month for a $16 million, one-year deal to be the Braves' closer. Freeman told a Braves employee wearing a World Series ring he didn't want to look at it.

LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Freddie Freeman arrived at Dodger Stadium and headed to the visiting clubhouse for an emotional reunion with his former Atlanta Braves teammates. Two players who had spent their entire careers with one team found themselves on opposite sides Monday night in the opener of a three-game series between the defending World Series champion Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jansen left the Dodgers the same month for a $16 million, one-year deal to be the Braves' closer. Freeman dropped in Braves manager Brian Snitker's office for a chat and made his way around the clubhouse sharing memories of last year's World Series victory, the franchise's first since 1995. Freeman told a Braves employee wearing a World Series ring he didn't want to look at it.

Reds Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman, second from left, hits a single as Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle, left, watches long with catcher Tyler Stephenson, right, and home plate umpire Jim Reynolds during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Los Angeles. A five-time All-Star in 12 seasons with Atlanta, Freeman said at his introductory news conference in LA that he expected to be a lifelong Brave and expressed frustration with Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos. Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 0.00) starts for Los Angeles after throwing seven perfect innings in his season debut. X-rays on the hand were negative, and Los Angeles says the three-time AL MVP is day to day. The 27-year-old outfielder from Japan is batting .400 and has hit safely in eight straight games with an at-bat.

Reds Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman, second from left, hits a single as Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle, left, watches long with catcher Tyler Stephenson, right, and home plate umpire Jim Reynolds during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Los Angeles. A five-time All-Star in 12 seasons with Atlanta, Freeman said at his introductory press conference in LA that he expected to be a lifelong Brave and expressed frustration with Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos. Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 0.00) starts for Los Angeles after throwing seven perfect innings in his season debut. X-rays on the hand were negative, and Los Angeles says the three-time AL MVP is day to day. The 27-year-old outfielder from Japan is batting .400 and has hit safely in eight straight games with an at-bat.

Reds Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Trea Turner, left, and Freddie Freeman congratulate each other after they scored on a double by Max Muncy during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Los Angeles. Max Muncy, Will Smith and Chris Taylor had RBI doubles during a seven-run fourth on another dominant day for Los Angeles, which has won six straight. After pitching scoreless ball into the fifth at Minnesota in his Dodgers debut last Tuesday, Heaney retired the first seven Reds he faced. Tyler Mahle (1-1) struck out five before finding big trouble in the fourth, eventually yielding seven runs on seven hits by the Dodgers’ powerhouse lineup. Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 0.00 ERA) starts for Los Angeles after throwing seven perfect innings in his season debut.

Luc Lipcius scored on a single from Jared Dickey in the seventh inning of Tennessee's win against Missouri.

Freddie Freeman's biggest play at first base in the season opener may have been a supportive hug. The new Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman knew all too well the feelings Colorado's José Iglesias was experiencing. After reaching on a run-scoring single Friday, Iglesias pointed to the sky as he was overcome by emotion.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — Freddie Freeman reached base three times and scored a run in his Dodgers debut, helping Walker Buehler and Los Angeles beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 Friday in a season opener. He was then hit by a pitch, walked and lined a sharp single before taking a called third strike in the eighth. With or without Freeman and Bryant, this remains clear: The Dodgers have dominated the series. But I’m excited to get going and get this next chapter of my career going.” — Freeman on making his Dodgers debut. UP NEXTThe Dodgers will throw right-hander Tony Gonsolin on Saturday, while the Rockies counter with All-Star righty Germán Márquez.

Braves Baseball Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna clowns around with the outfielders while taking batting practice at baseball spring training in North Port, Fla., Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) (Curtis Compton)ATLANTA — (AP) — Don't count Ronald Acuña Jr. among the Atlanta players who will be missing Freddie Freeman as the Braves open their season. Acuña said in an Instagram Live interview he had no feelings for Freeman, the former longtime Braves first baseman who helped lead Atlanta to the World Series championship last year and then signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Asked if he would miss Freeman, Acuña replied “Me? But Acuña said in the Instagram Live interview, conducted in Spanish, he wasn't warmly welcomed as a rookie by some veteran players.

Mets Nationals Baseball Members of the grounds crew roll up the tarp before baseball workouts at Nationals Park, Wednesday, April 6, 2022, in Washington. The Washington Nationals and the New York Mets are scheduled to play on opening day, Thursday. The Guardians make their regular-season debut in Kansas City with ace Shane Bieber on the mound against Zack Greinke. NEW PLACEFreeman’s replacement, Matt Olson, plays his first regular-season game with his hometown Braves after being acquired in a trade from Oakland. Marmol manages his first regular-season game when the St. Louis Cardinals host Pittsburgh.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)It'll end up being 157 days between the moment Freddie Freeman and the Atlanta Braves won last year's World Series and the start of the 2022 baseball season. Max Scherzer also signed early, joining Cohen and the Mets on a $130 million, three-year deal. Other notable moves: Clayton Kershaw went back to the Dodgers, the rival Giants locked up lefty Carlos Rodón, and the Rockies signed Kris Bryant. Molina has already said it will be his final season and Wainwright hinted he's likely done after 2022, too. The 42-year-old Pujols is also likely to retire after playing out a $2.5 million, one-year deal.

The Giants' Opening Day baseball game is next Friday against the Miami Marlins. The Guardians make their regular-season debut in Kansas City with ace Shane Bieber on the mound against Zack Greinke. Cincinnati right-hander Hunter Greene — who was up to 104 mph at Triple-A last year — will start a game over the weekend. Boston newcomer Trevor Story gets his first taste of baseball's biggest rivalry as his Red Sox face the New York Yankees. Freeman's replacement, Matt Olson, plays his first regular-season game with his hometown Braves after being acquired in a trade from Oakland.

Atlanta's trade for Matt Olson was designed to ensure the defending World Series champion Braves will be contenders in 2022. Signing Olson to an eight-year deal only one day later was the foundation of a plan by general manager Alex Anthopoulos to keep Atlanta competitive through the decade. As soon as it became clear the Braves and Freddie Freeman wouldn't reach a deal, Anthopoulos shifted to a new a long-term strategy.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (Sue Ogrocki)Many familiar faces with impressive resumes are in new places following one of major league baseball’s wildest free-agent frenzies. TREVOR STORY: A four-time All-Star shortstop in Colorado, Story signed a $140 million, six-year contract with Boston to play second base. KENLEY JANSEN: The longtime Dodgers closer and three-time All-Star with 350 career saves joined the defending champion Braves on a one-year, $18 million deal. JORGE SOLER: The 2021 World Series MVP remained in the NL East, signing a three-year, $36 million contract with the Marlins. JAVIER BÁEZ: The two-time All-Star and Gold Glove-winning shortstop signed a $140 million, six-year deal with Detroit before the lockout.

Dodgers Freeman Baseball Los Angles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, left, announces the arrival of free agent Freddie Freeman, right, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel)ATLANTA — (AP) — It was a 1-2 punch to the gut for Atlanta's sports fans. In the space of an extraordinary week, two of the city's most beloved sports figures — Freddie Freeman and Matt Ryan — were gone. Freeman departed first, his hopes of playing an entire career with the World Series champion Braves dashed by contract negotiations that went awry. A pair of MVPs with a combined 26 seasons between them will now take the field against the A-T-L. By 2018, with Freeman surrounded by a new group of young stars, the Braves were back on top of the NL East.

Max Muncy won’t be playing much first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, but he’s just happy to be back on the diamond. “It was good to be back,” Muncy said Monday after his return to game action in the Cactus League. Muncy was injured in the Dodgers’ final regular-season game last year against Milwaukee in a collision near first base with the Brewers’ Jace Peterson.

Outfielders Michael Conforto, Tommy Pham and Kevin Pillar are probably the biggest names left without a team. McMahon gets $5 million this season, $9 million in 2023, $12 million in each of the following two seasons and $16 million in each of the last two years. He can opt out after the 2026 season if he finishes among the top five in MVP voting in 2025. The move comes less than a week after the Rockies added 2016 MVP Kris Bryant on a $182 million, seven-year deal. The 40-year-old Perez is attempting to play in his 20th big league season.