Manager Dave Roberts told the media after the Dodgers lost to the Mets in Game 5 of the NLCS that he will consider keeping first baseman Freddie Freeman out of the lineup for Sunday night’s Game 6 at Dodger Stadium. Freeman has struggled mightily this postseason while dealing with his sprained right ankle.

“I’m going to have a conversation with him [Saturday]. I do think his swing is not right, and I’m sure it’s the ankle,” Roberts said. “We’ll have that conversation, but it’s certainly an option to have him sit in Game 6, yes.”

Freeman’s painful struggles continued in Game 5. He went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in the lopsided loss at Citi Field Friday night. In the NLCS, Freeman has three hits in 18 at-bats, with no extra-base hits.

If there’s one thing we learned about the Dodgers’ first baseman is that he’s resilient. Freddie’s also a bit stubborn. The veteran wants to play everyday. He has been one of the most dependable players in baseball over his 15-year career and was a workhorse for the Braves day in and day out before joining the Dodgers.

Freeman does not like to sit out, but he’s been visibly limited by his injured ankle. It’s been an admirable effort by Freeman to play despite his obvious pain. With a World Series berth on the line, Roberts is finally accepting that it might be better for him and his teammates if he was not playing.

It’s been a literal pain to watch Freeman play this postseason. His sprained right ankle has really limited all aspects of his game. It looked painful when he had to make routine plays at first base. It was cringe-worthy when he stretched to catch a high throw at first base. He looks uncomfortable at the plate as well. The weak ankle has zapped all his power this October.

In Game 3, Freeman picked up one hit in five at-bats, but he also made a key defensive play with a scoop at first base on the receiving end of a double play in the sixth inning to get the Dodgers out of trouble.

The Dodgers were up 2-1 in the series, Roberts took advantage in Game 4 Thursday by resting Freeman. Unfortunately the day off isn’t enough time for Freeman’s ankle to heal, and his injury was felt at the plate with runners in scoring position.

In the first, Freeman lined out to first baseman Pete Alonso and failed to drive in either of the two runners on base. The real stake through the heart was in the top of the fourth when Freddie was called out on strikes with the bases loaded to end the inning and rally.

It’s not dire without Freeman in the lineup. Max Muncy has walked his way to postseason records and can play first with Kiké Hernández playing third. Andy Pages, who hit two home runs in Game 5, can start in center field.

The Dodgers’ lineup is weaker without Freeman’s bat in there when he’s healthy, but he’s visibly undermined by the injury. The Dodgers are one more win away from the World Series, and the best decision is probably to sit the veteran in Game 6.