Finally, it’s the Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman, Freddie Freeman, who lights up the diamond at the Dodgers Stadium. With his batting prowess, Freeman is showing his red-hot form offensively, which fetched him the National League Player of the Week title too. He is displaying some impressive hitting, similar to that of the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, who’s been hitting great this season. While the first baseman hopes to do the best for the team and maybe lift the championship title another time, the change mainly came when he was facing a Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher. Wonder who is it?

The Pirates’ star pitcher, Paul Skenes, made it possible. In the Dodgers’ 3-0 shutout on April 25, the seasoned first baseman hit a down-and-away splitter into centre field for the base hit in the sixth inning at-bat. Although many might view it as typical, Freeman found that the single gave him more confidence following a sluggish season in which injuries kept getting in his way.

Recalling the game between the Dodgers and the Pirates, Freddie Freeman said, “It was a changeup away, and I was able to stay through it and hit a line drive up the middle. That’s when I kind of figured things were working … That’s when my confidence in my swing kind of skyrocketed—it was after that hit.” And it’s true—Freeman was hitting at a .250 average and now, sixteen games later, he is probably having the most productive stretches in his entire career. With an average of .500 now, three home runs along with scoring seven runs and a 1.500 OPS, it feels like his swings are again in line and in sync. Also, he now finds himself standing just behind Aaron Judge in terms of batting average. Judge has averaged .412 with at least 90 at-bats this 2025 season, while Freeman is batting at .362.

It was the single against the Dodgers’ Paul Skenes in that sixth inning that turned the fate. Freeman was able to get the pitchers properly, especially with the ball hitting the right spot on the bat, making it easier for him to hit it. “The previous two weeks, I would probably have rolled that over. But that pitch in that location, and how I hit it off with Paul in that at-bat, I felt like I was in a good spot. It kind of helped my confidence.”

While Freeman still likes to follow the same routine—watching strikes and hitting them—with the Dodgers standing atop the National League West with a 27-14 record, no one’s going to complain either.

What impact can Freeman bring on the Dodgers unleashing his hot streak?

For many, Freddie Freeman’s sudden surge comes as a surprise. Given that his sprained right ankle was still causing problems just as he played in the previous year’s playoff, despite undergoing surgery. After slipping in the shower and aggravating his ankle pain once more, he was far from fully recovered. However, Freeman managed to get “about an hour and a half” of pre-game treatment while also covering the area with tape to gain better stability, along with wearing heel lifts in his cleats to run freely.

Manager Dave Roberts, shedding light on his recovery, said, “He’s been ailing. But he’s moving really well. And he’s doing a really nice job of sort of playing with a governor, managing it, knowing when to pick his spots, managing his work, all that.” And that can be proved in the last few games, as the phenomenal week was a testament to his unwavering dedication on the field and his impressive batting skills. Not only the three home runs he posted but also the twelve runs scored displayed his strength, which was important in lifting the team’s offensive productivity too.

Being a key member of the team, his performance is not as important as his extensive experience and upbeat attitude, which radiate throughout the clubhouse. In addition to his milestones, his leadership skills and adaptability to different situations further make him someone who can immensely contribute to the team and perhaps repeat the winning for the Dodgers just like last season.