The Los Angeles Dodgers have put themselves on the brink of another World Series title, moving up 3-0 over the New York Yankees after a 4-2 victory in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. From standout performances by Dodgers’ stars to Yankees’ costly mistakes, here’s a breakdown of the major moments from the game that brought Los Angeles one step away from the championship.
Dodgers Take Early Lead with Freeman’s Big Home Run
As Game 3 started, the Yankees were counting on the energy of their home crowd, hoping for a much-needed victory to turn the tide after two tough losses in Los Angeles. However, Dodgers’ first baseman Freddie Freeman took control just three batters into the game. Freeman, who has been phenomenal throughout the World Series, silenced the Yankees’ crowd with a two-run home run in the first inning.
This home run wasn’t just any ordinary hit. Freeman has been dealing with a leg injury that’s affected his running, but his bat continues to make the biggest difference. This was his third consecutive game with a homer in the World Series and his fifth straight World Series game with a home run, dating back to his previous championship win with the Atlanta Braves in 2021. His performance has been so dominant that many fans and analysts are already considering him the likely MVP, even before the Series has concluded.
Freeman’s performance highlighted a clear advantage for the Dodgers: their ability to get on the scoreboard quickly and effectively, putting immense pressure on a Yankees team struggling to find its own offensive rhythm.
Stanton’s Power at the Plate Can’t Overcome His Running Limitations
For Yankees fans, the sight of Giancarlo Stanton at the plate has been one of the few sources of hope this postseason. Despite various leg injuries that have limited his running ability, Stanton’s bat has remained a force. He’s been New York’s best hitter this October, showing solid power and leading his team with six home runs in the postseason.
However, his limitations on the base paths became a costly issue in Game 3. In the fourth inning, after Stanton doubled to put himself in scoring position, Anthony Volpe hit a clutch single to left field, giving the Yankees an opportunity to bring in their first run. Unfortunately, Stanton, known for his slow sprint speeds due to injury concerns, struggled to reach home in time. Teoscar Hernandez, playing left field for the Dodgers, made a perfect throw to home plate, catching Stanton just before he reached the base.
The Yankees were relying heavily on Stanton’s power to generate momentum, but his inability to run at full speed has shown the Yankees’ vulnerability in key moments. This play not only cost them a valuable run but highlighted the Dodgers’ defensive edge over the Yankees. Stanton’s power is impressive, but his limitations on the field have hampered New York’s postseason strategy, making it difficult for them to maximize scoring opportunities.
Walker Buehler Shines as Dodgers’ Reliable Ace
Dodgers’ starting pitcher Walker Buehler delivered another masterful performance, giving his team the stability and confidence it needed to take Game 3. Buehler’s postseason dominance has been crucial for Los Angeles, especially after his challenging regular season in which he was still adjusting after his second Tommy John surgery.
Buehler held the Yankees hitless through the first three innings, only giving up a double to Stanton in the fourth. Throughout his five innings on the mound, Buehler showcased his ability to control the game, striking out five and keeping the Yankees’ hitters at bay. His precision and mental strength have reinforced his reputation as a “big-game” pitcher, and his performance this series has been especially vital as the Dodgers aim for their second title in recent years.
With this game, Buehler now has a streak of 12 straight scoreless innings, making him one of the most reliable pitchers in the postseason. His solid outing in Game 3 was another blow to a Yankees lineup that has struggled to make any meaningful impact against him. For Los Angeles, having a pitcher like Buehler to set the tone in critical games has been a key factor in their journey through the playoffs.
Yankees’ Pitching Struggles as Schmidt’s Short Start Hurts Momentum
For the Yankees, Game 3 was a chance to turn the tide by putting in a strong pitching performance. Clarke Schmidt, who started on the mound for New York, needed to make an early impact to keep the game within reach. Unfortunately for the Yankees, Schmidt’s start was short-lived. He exited in the third inning after giving up three runs, including Freeman’s game-changing home run.
Although Schmidt has shown potential in the regular season, his inability to pitch deep into the game put pressure on the Yankees’ bullpen, forcing manager Aaron Boone to use relievers much earlier than planned. The Yankees’ bullpen managed to keep the Dodgers from scoring further, but the early three-run deficit proved too difficult for New York’s struggling offense to overcome.
Schmidt’s quick exit was reminiscent of the Yankees’ 1996 World Series comeback, where a strong performance by starting pitcher David Cone in Game 3 helped turn the series around. This time, however, the Yankees didn’t receive that needed boost from their pitching staff, leaving the offense with even more pressure to produce against a dominant Dodgers team.
Yankees Running Out of Time as Dodgers Near Title
As the series shifts to Game 4, the Yankees find themselves in a historic bind. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the World Series, and the Dodgers are only 27 outs away from claiming the title. New York has struggled to generate consistent offense, relying heavily on solo efforts by players like Stanton, while Dodgers stars like Freeman have delivered when it matters most.
The Yankees’ reliance on power has not translated well in this series, as their inability to manufacture runs and capitalize on key moments has left them on the brink of elimination. Their lineup, while powerful on paper, has failed to come together when it’s mattered most, with Aaron Judge, their regular-season standout, going 1-for-12 and missing multiple opportunities in this series.
For Game 4, Boone has decided to hold back his ace, Gerrit Cole, instead starting rookie Luis Gil in what could be the final game of the Yankees’ season. With little room for error, the Yankees will need both a strong performance from Gil and a significantly improved offensive showing to stay alive in the series.
Dodgers’ Championship Within Reach as Yankees Face an Uphill Battle
As the Dodgers prepare for Game 4, their championship aspirations are closer than ever, thanks to strong pitching, defensive plays, and clutch hitting. The Yankees, on the other hand, are left with a mountain to climb if they hope to pull off one of the most unlikely comebacks in baseball history.
