Game 3 of the World Series is set to take place in the Bronx, where the Los Angeles Dodgers will face off against the New York Yankees on Monday night. The Dodgers currently lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 after securing victories in their first two games at home. Now, the Yankees have the opportunity to make a statement, with Games 3, 4, and 5 all hosted at Yankee Stadium. The Dodgers will send Walker Buehler (5.38 ERA) to the mound, while Clarke Schmidt (2.85 ERA) will start for the Yankees. First pitch is slated for 8:08 EST and can be seen on FOX.
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Who will emerge victorious in Game 3 of the World Series? Read on for the Dodgers vs. Yankees prediction.
Dodgers Command the Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers executed their game plan perfectly by winning the first two games at home. In the 2-3-2 format of the World Series, winning the initial games is essential, especially with the Yankees now set to play three consecutive games at home. The Dodgers triumphed in Game 1 with a score of 6-3, thanks to a walk-off grand slam hit by Freddie Freeman. They also claimed Game 2, 4-2, where Freeman homered once more. Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered six impressive innings, allowing only one hit, which was a home run by Juan Soto.
Freddie Freeman has emerged as the frontrunner for the World Series MVP award, holding +100 odds, while Tommy Edman trails with +600, according to DraftKings. Freeman has showcased his talent with two home runs, a triple, and five RBIs over just two games. Despite an ankle injury earlier, he appears strong. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani may have strained his left shoulder while sliding into second base during Game 2. Manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism regarding Ohtani’s condition, stating, “We’re going to get some tests at some point tonight, tomorrow, and then we’ll know more in the next couple of days. The strength was great. The range of motion is good. So we’re encouraged.” Tommy Edman remains hot at the plate with a home run and four hits in the World Series, while Teoscar Hernandez and Mookie Betts have also contributed with key performances. Remarkably, the Dodgers have won both games without any RBIs from Ohtani.
Walker Buehler is set to take the mound for the Dodgers, acting as the third starter in their emergency rotation due to injuries within the pitching staff. His regular-season ERA stands at 5.38, which has risen to 6.00 in the playoffs. Buehler faced challenges against the Padres, allowing six runs in five innings, but he shined against the Mets, delivering four scoreless innings with six strikeouts.
Yankees in a Pressure Situation
The Yankees find themselves trailing 2-0 in the World Series. While teams have bounced back from similar deficits, including 3-0, the Yankees must rely on their key players to secure wins. Aaron Judge has struggled, with only one hit in nine at-bats and six strikeouts, leaving fans questioning his performance. The Yankees had a lead in the 10th inning of Game 1, thanks to an RBI from Anthony Volpe, but witnessed the game slip away with Freeman’s grand slam. Although Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton have both hit home runs, those efforts have not translated to victories.
No changes to the Yankees’ lineup are expected, as they will continue with Gleyber Torres, Soto, Judge, and Stanton as their top hitters. Despite his slow start, Judge, who led MLB in home runs and RBIs this season, is likely to regain his form. Torres recorded two hits in Game 1, fulfilling his role of getting on base for the power hitters. Soto and Stanton’s home runs could be pivotal if Judge finds his rhythm. Jazz Chisholm Jr., a mid-season acquisition from the Marlins, has made an impact with three hits in the series, marking his first postseason appearance.
Clarke Schmidt will take the hill for the Yankees. The 28-year-old right-hander posted a regular-season ERA of 2.85 with a 5-5 record. In the postseason, his ERA has risen to 3.86. He allowed two earned runs over 4.2 innings against the Royals and matched that performance against the Guardians.
Strategic Bets for Dodgers vs. Yankees
The Yankees are under pressure to secure a win and are expected to bounce back in front of their home crowd. They have shown resilience in both games, holding a lead in Game 1 and losing Game 2 by just two runs. The Dodgers are sending out Buehler, who has struggled as the least effective starter in their rotation due to injuries. His regular-season ERA of 5.38 has climbed to 6.00 during the playoffs, with only one strong outing against the Mets. In contrast, Schmidt has demonstrated a reliable 2.85 ERA in the regular season and has yet to surrender more than two runs in any of his postseason starts. With Judge poised to break out against a struggling pitcher, and Soto and Stanton providing support, the Yankees appear ready to claim their first win in the Bronx.
