Freeman hits 100th Dodgers homer — against his former club

Freddie Freeman reached a significant career milestone on May 8, 2026, hitting his 100th home run as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The achievement came during a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium, the team where Freeman spent the first 12 seasons of his professional career.

The milestone occurred in the sixth inning when Freeman hit a solo home run off Chris Sale. According to MLB.com, the blast served as a critical insurance run for the Dodgers as they opened a high-profile series against Atlanta.

Freeman has maintained a strong performance record against his former club since joining Los Angeles. He currently holds a .977 OPS and has recorded six home runs against the Braves.

Mechanical Adjustments and Performance

The home run followed a period of technical refinement in Freeman’s approach at the plate. During a previous series in Houston, Freeman began implementing a foot turn in his stance. This adjustment is designed to keep his hip closed, allowing the ball to travel deeper into the hitting zone.

Reflecting on the swing and his recent preparations, Freeman stated, I haven’t done that in a month, adding that obviously, my work has been better the last few days.

I’ve always done little tweaks mentally [and] externally. This time, I just did a foot turn. … I’ve thought sometimes, you got to think differently up in the box. And I went with a foot turn in. And it’s worked. I’m not going to try and figure it out, but it’s working right now.

Freddie Freeman

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted the importance of the veteran player’s adaptability. Roberts mentioned that it is good for me to see him kind of change some things, and described Freeman as a smart player who understands that at some point in a career, you’ve got to make some adjustments.

Team Context and Standings

The victory comes against a highly competitive Atlanta team. The Braves arrived in Los Angeles with a 26-12 record, which tied them with the Cubs for the best record in Major League Baseball.

For the Dodgers, Freeman’s offensive production provided a necessary spark. In the 10-game stretch leading up to the May 8, 2026, game, the Los Angeles offense had struggled with efficiency, averaging 7.7 runners left on base per game.