2024 World Series: The Dodgers are just 27 outs away from a championship after backing the Yankees into a tight corner. Their recent victory places them on the brink of sweeping the American League’s top team.
Here are four key takeaways from the Dodgers’ 4-2 victory over the Yankees in Game 3, held on Monday night in the Bronx.
1. Is it too early to name the MVP?
Freddie Freeman is making headlines once again.
The injured first baseman, reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s legendary moments, capped off Game 1 with a dramatic walk-off grand slam and followed it up with a solo home run in Game 2. He shocked the crowd of 49,368 at Yankee Stadium by hitting another home run just three batters into Game 3.
This marked Freeman’s third consecutive game with a home run in the 2024 World Series, and it was his fifth World Series game in a row with a home run, dating back to the Braves’ championship run in 2021. He now joins George Springer as the only players in MLB history to achieve this milestone.
The early home run not only silenced the Yankees’ fans but also allowed another Dodger, Shohei Ohtani, who was dealing with an injury, to jog leisurely around the bases.
Ohtani, returning from a subluxation of his left shoulder, appeared uncomfortable. He wore a black harness during player introductions and kept his arm close to his body. However, he was walked in his first at-bat, allowing him to avoid putting pressure on his shoulder. Freeman’s two-run homer meant Ohtani could take his time rounding the bases.
Freeman’s performance has been remarkable; he has driven in as many runs as the entire Yankees lineup through three games. If an MVP were to be named at this point, he would undoubtedly claim the title. — Rowan Kavner
2. Giancarlo Stanton is still hitting but struggles with speed
The atmosphere shifted when Nestor Cortes emerged from the bullpen to face Ohtani and successfully navigated a bases-loaded situation in the third inning. The Yankees were only down by three runs, and Aaron Judge was up next, looking to redeem himself after a lackluster World Series performance. After Judge flew out, Stanton provided the Yankees’ first hit of the game with a double, igniting hopes for a comeback.
Anthony Volpe followed with a clutch single to left that should have scored a run. Yet, Stanton’s slow pace from second to home proved detrimental. As Teoscar Hernandez retrieved the ball in left field, Stanton’s sluggish round from third base resulted in him being thrown out at home. The Yankees failed to have any at-bats with a runner on third throughout the game.
Stanton’s lack of speed, a consequence of previous lower-body injuries, has been a significant hindrance for the Yankees this season. It was surprising to see that he lacked the extra burst of speed even in the World Series, especially considering his strong performance at the plate this postseason. The disparity in athleticism between the Dodgers and Yankees is a key factor contributing to New York’s struggles against Los Angeles. — Deesha Thosar
3. Walker Buehler solidifies his reputation in big games
Walker Buehler faced a challenging start in Game 3, having been charged with six runs in the second inning due to defensive errors. However, he rebounded impressively.
In his three World Series starts, Buehler has surrendered only one run while striking out 22 batters over 18 innings.
Following a challenging regular season marked by command issues after his second Tommy John surgery, he has returned to form in October, reinforcing his status as a premier big-game pitcher. — Kavner
4. Clarke Schmidt’s struggles come at a bad time
Clarke Schmidt’s inability to last beyond 2.2 innings did not solely determine the Yankees’ fate in Game 3, but it certainly contributed to their challenges. In the 1996 World Series, David Cone’s stellar Game 3 performance helped the Yankees rally back from an 0-2 deficit against the Atlanta Braves. Dominant pitching sets the tone, and Schmidt’s lack of command came at a critical juncture.
The relentless Dodgers lineup forced Schmidt to elevate his pitch count, resulting in his shortest outing since August 2023. Los Angeles quickly capitalized on Schmidt’s mistakes, with their third batter hitting a two-run home run off him. Schmidt’s early exit compelled Yankees manager Aaron Boone to rely on his bullpen, which managed to mitigate further damage multiple times. Yet, the Yankees lineup once again fell short. — Thosar
