"Freddie Freeman plays possum and stole a bag on us" - Padres manager Mike Shildt reflects on Dodgers star's base-stealing skills

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the NLDS Game 1 against the San Diego Padres by 7-5. Many credit the win to Freddie Freeman, who successfully stole a base. So much so that even Padres manager Mike Shildt gave his two cents about the Dodgers' first baseman's sneaky skills.

Freeman surprised many fans by returning to the field after spraining his ankle in the division clincher nine days ago. So, he focused on the recovery, made a comeback, played his usual third spot in the batting and stood on the first base.

Mike Shildt expressed his views on facing the loss against the Dodgers, however, he specially called Freeman a "possum" for stealing a base.

"They said Freddie wasn’t moving good, but he plays possum and stole a bag on us," Shildt said.

It was evident that the Padres thought Freddie Freeman would be the Dodgers' liability, considering that he's coming out of an injury. However, he proved everyone wrong as he was able to put some dirt in the Padres' eyes.

Freeman went 2 for 5 for the Dodgers, as he played the game with a sprained ankle, and still, he made the run to steal the second bag as he slid into it with his left leg, thus protecting his injury in the right leg.

Freddie Freeman talks about stealing a base against Padres

The Dodgers' manager, Dave Roberts, was concerned about the decision made by their first baseman, he even stated how he was holding his breath the whole time when he caught Freeman running toward the second base. However, it turned out to be fruitful, since it let Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run single in the fourth inning, giving the lead to his team.

Freddie Freeman talked about how he felt like he had to play the game the way it was supposed to be played, despite his injury.

"I want to play the game the right way. He was 165 at home plate, 90 ft in the postseason, you never know. I felt good enough, and if I can't play the game right way, I shouldn't be out there and I needed to go in that situation if they're going to try and give me 90 ft. So I think I got lucky," Freeman said.

The Dodgers had to suffer a setback in the beginning, however, they proved how they ended up in the postseason irrespective of their ongoing pitching struggles. The team is built on offense and they did exactly what they know how to do best.