The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, marking an early highlight of spring training. Freddie Freeman confirmed his role as the cleanup hitter in the Dodgers lineup for the 2026 season, setting the stage for a powerful batting order.
Freddie Freeman Announces His Spot in the Dodgers Lineup
Freddie Freeman revealed during a dugout interview with SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson that he will bat fourth for the Dodgers this year. While Freeman mostly hit third in 2025, logging 96 starts there compared to 47 as the cleanup hitter, the shift to the four-spot is a strategic adjustment meant to maximize run-producing chances.
I’ve always loved being in the middle of the lineup,
Freeman shared.
I love when there’s guys on base. Being in the 4-hole, hopefully there will be a lot of opportunities to cash them in and get some points on the board.
This change places Freeman behind a formidable top three: Shohei Ohtani leading off, Kyle Tucker batting second, and Mookie Betts in the third spot. This lineup configuration aims to set up consistent chances with runners on base for Freeman as the primary run producer.
Last season, Freeman led the Dodgers in plate appearances with runners on base, tallying 291, while also having 161 plate appearances with runners in scoring position. The move to cleanup is designed to further increase these high-leverage opportunities throughout the season.
The projected top of the Dodgers batting order is:
1. Shohei Ohtani
2. Kyle Tucker
3. Mookie Betts
4. Freddie Freeman
I’ve always loved being in the middle of the lineup. I love when there’s guys on base,
Freeman reiterated.
The Impact of Los Angeles’ Powerhouse Top Four
The Dodgers’ top four hitters form an exceptional offensive core. Shohei Ohtani enters the season as the reigning National League MVP, Kyle Tucker brings power with 22 home runs from his 2025 campaign with the Cubs, Mookie Betts is a former MVP himself, and Freeman earned the 2024 World Series MVP honors. This concentration of elite talent in the early lineup spots offers a significant edge to the Dodgers’ offense.
This formidable group means other productive players like Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy, and Tommy Edman will bat further down the order despite their capabilities, highlighting the depth but also the strategic placement of the lineup’s strongest hitters early on.
Freeman’s role is clear: to complement the top three by delivering when reaching base and driving in runs to keep momentum going. Sunday’s spring training game demonstrated this dynamic when Betts got on base in the first inning and Freeman followed with a double to bring him home.
Final score: Dodgers 4, Angels 3.
Upcoming Challenges and Roster Adjustments
The Dodgers’ next test comes against the Colorado Rockies as spring training continues. The team will temporarily adjust its roster, with some players departing for the World Baseball Classic. Shohei Ohtani will represent Japan alongside Yamamoto, Will Smith will play for Team USA, Edwin Díaz heads to Puerto Rico, and Hyeseong Kim suits up for Korea.
Mookie Betts, who made his spring training debut Sunday, is expected to increase his playing time as the lineup evolves. Full roster cohesion will return once the WBC participants rejoin the Dodgers, who aim to solidify their order before the regular season opener in late March.
Meanwhile, some international stars set for the WBC include:
• Shohei Ohtani
• Seiya Suzuki
• Masataka Yoshida
• Munetaka Murakami
Freeman Ready to Lead from the Cleanup Spot
During the postgame interview, Freeman made it official that he will bat cleanup in 2026, moving down one spot from the majority of last season. This adjustment is expected to yield more opportunities for him to excel in high-pressure situations, driving in runs and advancing teammates on the bases.
The Dodgers have crafted a top four in their batting lineup that few teams can rival. With Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman anchoring the order, Los Angeles intends to unleash a consistent and dangerous offensive attack throughout the season.
With the order now set, Freddie Freeman is primed to make the cleanup spot his own, ready to deliver when it counts most in 2026.
🚨Freddie Freeman confirms that he will bat 4th in the lineup this year.
That means the top of the order will be:
1. Shohei Ohtani
2. Kyle Tucker
3. Mookie Betts
4. Freddie Freeman“I’ve always loved being in the middle of the lineup. I love when there’s guys on base,” he says.… pic.twitter.com/0PMGRne7TM
— Hyeseong Kim Muse 김혜성 (@HyeseongKimMuse) February 28, 2026
FINAL: #Dodgers 4, Angels 3 pic.twitter.com/V3NPGttqaC
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 1, 2026
Team Japan is determined to defend their title at the #WorldBaseballClassic!
• Shohei Ohtani
• Seiya Suzuki
• Masataka Yoshida
• Munetaka Murakami pic.twitter.com/f0eXxel6bW— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 2, 2026
