The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the brink of securing their second World Series title in five years, following a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees in the Bronx, which gives them a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Yankee Stadium provided little solace for the home team as the Dodgers once again showcased their dominance both offensively and defensively. They established an early lead that they maintained throughout the game.
With the Yankees trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the ninth and down to their final strike, Alex Verdugo's two-run homer hinted at a dramatic comeback, but it ultimately fell short.
Freddie Freeman's home run
The Dodgers struck first, going up 2-0 in the top of the first inning when Shohei Ohtani, despite a shoulder injury from Game 2, led off with a walk, followed by Freddie Freeman's third home run of the World Series. Mookie Betts then added another run, driving in Tommy Edman for a 3-0 lead, prompting the Yankees to pull starter Clarke Schmidt before the end of the third inning.
The Yankees managed to keep the game competitive by stranding five Dodgers baserunners over the next two innings, finally getting their first hit with a Giancarlo Stanton double in the fourth. However, a stellar throw from Teoscar Hernandez in left field cut down Stanton at home plate, preventing a potential run.
Dodgers amazing run continues
The Dodgers extended their lead in the sixth inning when Gavin Lux was hit by a pitch, stole second, and was driven in by Enrique Hernandez's hit. Despite a late surge from the Yankees, highlighted by Verdugo’s home run, star batter Aaron Judge remained hitless for the game.
The series will continue on Tuesday evening at Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees must win to avoid an embarrassing sweep. Historically, no team has come back from a 3-0 deficit to win the World Series, and only once has a team rallied from such a deficit to win any best-of-seven playoff series, which was the Boston Red Sox against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS.
Freeman's impressive performance included a two-run homer that opened the scoring in Game 3, bringing Ohtani home. The Dodgers also utilized traditional National League tactics to add runs, with Mookie Betts contributing an RBI single and Kiké Hernández bringing in Lux with a bloop single.
The Yankees continue to struggle offensively, failing to score more than three runs in any game of this World Series, which is a significant challenge against the potent Dodgers lineup. Aaron Judge, a top candidate for the American League MVP, remains mired in a slump, having only one hit in 12 at-bats against Los Angeles, resulting in a .083 batting average.
World Series Schedule:
Game 1: Dodgers 6-3 Yankees
Game 2: Dodgers 4-2 Yankees
Game 3: Yankees 2-4 Dodgers
Game 4: Tuesday, 29 October
Game 5: Wednesday, 30 October
Game 6: Friday, 1 November (if necessary)
Game 7: Saturday, 2 November (if necessary)
All games begin at 20:08 Eastern Time (early morning UK time), with the home team listed first.
