Once more, the Los Angeles Dodgers easily defeated the New York Yankees 4-2 on Monday night at Yankee Stadium, in front of a quiet crowd. They have the opportunity to complete a four-game sweep by winning on Tuesday night.
The Dodgers currently lead the World Series 3-0, a deficit from which no team has ever successfully recovered. In the history of the World Series, when a team has held a 3-0 lead, it has resulted in a sweep 21 out of 24 times, with the remaining three instances ending in a 4-1 series. Throughout postseason history, only one baseball team, the 2004 Boston Red Sox, has managed to overcome a 3-0 deficit, achieving this remarkable feat against the Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
Tonight, Freddie Freeman hit a two-run home run - bringing home Shohei Ohtani, who started the evening with a leadoff walk - for the third consecutive game, matching a World Series record of hitting a home run in five straight games dating back to the 2021 World Series. His homer put the Dodgers ahead 2-0 in the first inning, quieting the crowd and shifting the momentum away from the Yankees.
Currently, Freeman stands out as the obvious choice for the World Series MVP. He is hitting .333 (4-for-12) with three home runs and seven RBIs in the initial three games of the series.
Then it was starter Walker Buehler, who threw five scoreless innings, striking out five, walking two, and allowing two hits to clinch his first victory and extend his remarkable performance in the 2024 postseason. He has pitched a combined 12 scoreless innings against both the Mets and the Yankees in this postseason. Historically speaking, in two World Series appearances for the Dodgers, Buehler has thrown 18 innings, allowing seven hits, three walks, recording 22 strikeouts, and maintaining an ERA of 0.50.
In the third inning, the Dodgers increased their lead when Mookie Betts delivered an RBI single, bringing Tommy Edman home. Edman had walked and advanced to second base following an Ohtani ground ball.
In the sixth inning, Kiké Hernández scored Gavin Lux with a soft single to right field. Lux advanced to second base after being hit by a pitch and then successfully stealing a base.
Honestly, they didn't require any additional runs. Despite leading the race for the American League MVP award, Aaron Judge is currently having difficulties performing well at the plate. After going hitless in three at-bats on Monday, Judge's batting average against Los Angeles fell to .083, having only managed one hit in 12 at-bats.
The Yankees' starting rotation has failed to effectively contain the Dodgers' offense. In tonight's game, Clarke Schmidt struggled and could not make it past the third inning. He pitched 2 2/3 innings, threw 68 pitches, gave up three runs, walked four batters, and allowed two hits, one of which was Freeman's home run.
Alex Verdugo prevented the shutout by hitting a two-run home run in the ninth inning off closer Michael Kopech, although the outcome had already been determined.
Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday, and the Yankees must see an improvement in their batting performance to prevent a sweep and possibly prolong the series to a fifth game. In order to achieve this, the Yankees will have RHP rookie Luis Gil as their starting pitcher, while the Dodgers are anticipated to rely on a bullpen game.
World Series
Dodgers lead 3-0
Friday 10/25 - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 1: LAD 6, NYY 3 (10 INN)
Saturday 10/26/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 2: LAD 4, NYY 2
Monday 10/28/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 3: LAD 4, NYY 2
Tuesday 10/29/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 4: 8:08 pm (ET) - LAD at NYY
Wednesday 10/30/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 5: 8:08 pm (ET) - LAD at NYY (*)
Friday 11/01/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 6: 8:08 pm (ET) - NYY at LAD (*)
Saturday 11/02/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 7: 8:08 pm (ET) - NYY at LAD (*)
(*) If necessary
תגובות