Freddie Freeman’s comments on Gavin Lux show Dodgers have unappreciated All-Star

It’s crazy to think about, but the San Diego Padres were nipping at the Los Angeles Dodgers heels in the NL West this time last month. Just two weeks ago, the Dodgers held a 1.5-game lead on their overachieving rivals.

Since then, LA has gained a whopping 8.5 games on San Diego and now lead the NL West by 10 games entering the All-Star break.

The Dodgers have been on a heater since the calendar turned to July and there’s no shortage of players who’ve contributed to the streak. Despite injuries, the starting rotation and bullpen boast a 3.00 ERA over the last month.

With Mookie Betts coming back down to earth, Max Muncy not being able to hit water if he fell out of a boat, and Cody Bellinger still hovering near the Mendoza Line, Freddie Freeman, Trea Turner Justin Turner and Gavin Lux have really picked up the slack in the lineup. All four players are batting over .300 in July.

As the team’s No. 9 hitter, Lux hasn’t received his fair share of plaudits for his contributions to the Dodgers’ success this season. Clearly aware of this, Freeman gave Lux a pretty cool shoutout after Thursday’s win over the Cardinals.

Gavin Lux’s importance to the Dodgers isn’t lost on Freddie Freeman

“Gavin has been doing pretty incredible all year,” Freeman said of Lux, via Dodgers Nation. “He’s been sitting in the nine-hole, just hitting .300 all year playing a great second base. Then, they throw him out in left field and he does that too, which is very hard to do – to go back and forth.“Gavin’s having a great year. For him to hit a home run, have a great season so far, it’s just good to see.”

As the most expensive players on the team with the biggest payroll in MLB that just so happens to reside in Los Angeles, Freeman and the Turner’s are used to the recognition … though Freeman’s All-Star Game snub remains egregious.

Lux, meanwhile, has flown under the radar as one of the Dodgers’ most important players this season. He’s third on the team in batting average, second in OBP, fifth in both OPS and hits despite not having nearly as many at bats as those ahead of him (Freeman, Trea Turner and Betts).

It’s tough to put into words what Lux has meant to the Dodgers this year, but Freeman hit the nail on the head for the most part.

In his second full season, MLB’s former No. 1 prospect is coming into his own. He might not get the postgame interviews or recognition amongst the national media, but his impact isn’t lost on Freeman and odds are the entire clubhouse feels the same way about the budding 24-year-old as the Dodgers assert themselves as the class of the NL once again.

LA Times fiasco proves Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman needs to tune out noise

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has dealt with a lot this season ... but perhaps it's time he learns how to tune out the noise.