By winning the National League West title for a ninth time in the past 10 seasons and finishing with the best record in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers were afforded the luxury of a first-round bye.
While the San Diego Padres and New York Mets played a best-of-three Wild Card Series this past weekend, the Dodgers organized workouts and intrasquad games at Dodger Stadium. That stretch concluded with the team getting together at The Palm restaurant as the Padres and Mets played a Game 3 at Citi Field.
“It was a good time, but the game was on, yes,” answered Freddie Freeman when asked if he and teammates were together to watch the winner-take-all game. “I left before it ended, but I heard about it.”
Freeman said “everyone” was in attendance and reiterated, “It was a good time.”
Although the Wild Card Series was on as players dined, it wasn’t necessarily a focal point until Mets manager Buck Showalter caused a stir by asking umpires to check Padres starter Joe Musgrove for foreign substances because of how shiny his ears were and an increase in spin rates.
“It got a little louder in the room,” Freeman said of the Dodgers’ reaction to Showalter’s controversial request.
“Yeah, it was just a good time. We had it on. It was quiet, and everyone was just kind of hanging out having a good time. Good team dinner, but it did get a little louder during that part.”
Padres vs. Dodgers NLDS schedule and start times
Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 6:37 p.m. PT (FS1)
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 5:37 p.m. PT (FS1)
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 14 (FS1)
Game 4*: Saturday, Oct. 15 (FS1)
Game 5*: Sunday, Oct. 16 (FS1)
*if necessary
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