Freddie Freeman's Hot Streak Boosted by Coldplay Meme
Freddie Freeman found inspiration for improving his swing from a meme he received on Instagram. The meme showed his walk-off grand slam from last year's World Series superimposed over a viral Coldplay kiss cam video. While watching the meme, Freeman noticed a difference in his batting stance, realizing he needed to focus more on his front ankle and incorporate his legs into his mechanics.
Following this observation, Freeman made adjustments to his swing, concentrating on driving into his front ankle. Since making this tweak on July 21, Freeman's performance has significantly improved. He has achieved a .359 batting average with two home runs, four extra base hits, and 10 RBIs in the ten games following the adjustment.
Freeman's renewed confidence at the plate was evident in recent games, including a two-run double and a solo home run in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. His manager, Dave Roberts, acknowledged the positive impact of Freeman's swing adjustment, noting that he is now hitting pitches more effectively and getting deeper into counts.
Despite no longer actively thinking about the ankle cue, Freeman credits the meme-inspired swing thought for helping him reset and improve his performance. The Dodgers are hopeful that Freeman's turnaround will set an example for other players on the team, as they aim for improved consistency and performance from their lineup.
During the recent trade deadline, the Dodgers focused on internal improvements rather than big-name acquisitions. They added outfielder Alex Call from the Washington Nationals to bolster their lineup. The team is relying on star players like Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, Tommy Edman, and Shohei Ohtani to elevate their performance to meet the team's high standards over the final months of the regular season.
Freeman's resurgence serves as a positive sign for the Dodgers, who are looking for more roster-wide improvements as they head into the stretch run of the season. The team remains optimistic about their potential and is counting on all players to elevate their game to secure success going forward.