Freddie Freeman Faces Atlanta in Postseason for the First Time
Freddie Freeman and the Los Angeles Dodgers open their National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday at Dodger Stadium, marking the first time the 2020 NL MVP will face his original organization in the postseason. As mlb.com reported, Freeman has played 29 regular-season games against Atlanta over the past five years, but this series brings his history with the franchise into the playoff spotlight.
Dodgers Pursuit of Another Championship
Los Angeles enters the NLDS rested after securing a first-round bye and home-field advantage, while the Braves advanced past the Wild Card round. ClutchPoints reported that Freeman is keeping his focus firmly on the team’s current postseason mission rather than his legacy in Atlanta. The 37-year-old first baseman enters the matchup looking to contribute after dealing with a right knee issue late in the regular season. The Dodgers lineup around him features Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and Kyle Tucker.
Comparing Freeman and Olson Production
The series highlights the statistical link between Freeman and Olson, the two players who have anchored first base for Atlanta and Los Angeles over the last half-decade. Since the start of 2022, Olson has accumulated 25.2 bWAR, ranking 10th among all MLB players, three spots ahead of Freeman at 23.8, according to mlb.com. Freeman holds the edge in batting average at .306 to .259 and OPS at .885 to .852 over that span. Olson enters the series following a powerful regular season where he hit his 329th career home run since 2018, ranking fifth in MLB over that period.
Regular Season Dominance by Atlanta
The Braves held the upper hand during the 2025 regular-season meetings, winning five of six games against the Dodgers, including a three-way sweep in August that kept Los Angeles’s offense quiet. Braves manager Walt Weiss praised Olson’s ability to step into a difficult role following Freeman’s departure, noting that Olson has performed as a superstar while handling massive expectations in Atlanta. Braves catcher Sean Murphy also pointed to Olson’s durability, calling him the team’s captain for playing every day and hitting 40 home runs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freeman and the NLDS
When does the National League Division Series between the Dodgers and Braves begin?
The NLDS opens on Saturday at Dodger Stadium, with the Dodgers holding home-field advantage after earning a first-round bye.
How many postseason games has Freddie Freeman played against Atlanta before this series?
Freeman played 29 regular-season games against Atlanta over the past five seasons, but this series marks his very first postseason meeting against his former organization.
What are the contract details that brought Matt Olson to Atlanta?
The Braves acquired Matt Olson via trade from the Oakland Athletics on March 14, 2022, after their final contract offer to Freddie Freeman ended without an agreement on a five-year, $135 million extension.
Related reading