World Series Game 3 recap: Dodgers defeat Yankees to take commanding 3-0 lead
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New York has not recorded more than three runs in a single game in the World Series.
Juan Soto of the New York Yankees reacts after grounding out against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning of Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Alex Slitz / Getty Images
Freddie Freeman hit a home run for the third straight game and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees 4-2 on Monday, taking a 3-0 lead in the World Series.
Walker Buehler got the start and won for the Dodgers, striking out five over five shutout innings.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more from Walker tonight,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "There are certain players ... that just really thrive in the postseason."
The Yankees’ offensive struggles continued after Walker exited, as they couldn’t get going until they were down to their final out. Alex Verdugo hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning to cut the deficit in half, but Gleyber Torres grounded out to end the game on the next at bat.
Freeman hit a two-run homer to start the scoring in Game 3. He brought home Shohei Ohtani, who opened the night with a leadoff walk.
Los Angeles later added two insurance runs by playing some old-school National League baseball.
Mookie Betts hit an RBI single in the top of the third that scored Tommy Edman, who walked and moved to second thanks to an Ohtani grounder.
In the sixth, Kiké Hernández brought home Gavin Lux with a bloop single to right. Lux made it to second after he was hit by a pitch and stole a bag.
New York continues to have issues scoring. The Yankees haven’t recorded more than three runs in a single game in the World Series, which isn’t going to cut it against a high-powered Dodgers lineup.
Aaron Judge, the American League MVP favorite, still hasn’t found his swing. After going hitless in three at bats on Monday, Judge has only one hit in 12 at-bats against Los Angeles, a .083 batting average.
Giancarlo Stanton was a bright spot for an otherwise dull offense, as he had two of New York’s five hits.
Ohtani played despite injuring his left shoulder in Game 2. He didn’t have a hit in three at-bats.
“We have just got to stay focused, stay urgent,” Roberts said postgame of his team’s World Series chances. “Offensively, to be quite honest, we left a lot of runs out there tonight and still found a way win a ball game. There’s got to be urgency. I don’t want to let these guys up for air.”
Game 4 is on Tuesday, and the Yankees’ offense will have to wake up if they want to avoid a sweep.
“We’re trying to get a game tomorrow. That’s where our focus lies,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said postgame. “Hopefully we can go be this amazing story and shock the world, but right now it’s about trying to get a lead, trying to grab a game and force another one and then on from there. But we got to grab one first.”
Yankees hoping to avoid the sweep
Down 3-0 to the Dodgers, the Yankees hope to at least win one game to avoid being swept in the World Series for the first time since 1976 when the Cincinnati Reds did it.
The last team swept in the World Series was the 2012 Detroit Tigers who lost to the San Francisco Giants.
Of course, Yankees fans are aware of the only time in baseball history a team has come back after losing the first three games of a best-of-seven series. It was 2004 ALCS when the Red Sox did it to the Yankees en route to their first World Series title in 86 years.
Too little, too late for the Yankees. Dodgers win Game 3.
The Dodgers win 4-2, as the Yankees couldn’t get their offense going until they were down to their final out. Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer in the first inning before Los Angeles added a couple insurance runs later in the game.
New York didn’t get on the board until a two-run homer from Alex Verdugo in the bottom of the ninth.
The Dodgers now lead the World Series 3-0.
Game 4 is Tuesday night in New York.
Now or never for the Yanks
Mookie Betts grounds out into a double play to end the top of the ninth, and now the Yankees are down to their last three outs. Can they make up the 4-0 deficit?
Anthony Volpe, Anthony Rizzo and Austin Wells will have to get the rally started for New York.
Plenty of empty seats in the crowd
The crowd has thinned out considerably with rows of empty seats visible in all three levels of Yankee Stadium.
There was a wave of exits after Gleyber Torres' strikeout in the seventh but it accelerated in past inning or so. A tepid "Let's go Yankees" chant started picking up but it was more like a sleepy midseason game rather than a World Series contest.
Another quiet inning for the Yankees
Outside of an Aaron Judge walk...nothing going for the Yanks in the bottom of the eighth. Juan Soto lined out, and then both Giancarlo Stanton and Jazz Chisholm struck out. (Stanton fell victim to another generous interpretation of the strike zone.)
The Dodgers have Tommy Edman, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts due up in the ninth.
Three up, three down for the Dodgers in the eighth
1-2-3 inning for the Yanks in the top of the eighth.
We head to the bottom of the inning with the Dodgers still leading 4-0.
Yanks still scoreless after seven
We’re done with seven innings and the Yankees still trail 4-0.
Gleyber Torres struck out looking with runners on first and second to end the seventh. That was a tough break for New York, as the called third strike looked to be above the zone.
Will Smith is due up first to begin the eighth.
Dodgers can’t add to lead in the top of the seventh
The Dodgers got two runners on in the top of the seventh, but Max Muncy struck out swinging with men on first and third. Los Angeles still leads 4-0.
Anthony Volpe will bat first for the Yankees in the bottom of the inning.
Yanks strand two to end the sixth
New York got two baserunners in the sixth, but couldn’t capitalize.
Jazz Chisholm grounded into a fielder’s choice with Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge on first and second, respectively. Stanton singled while Judge reached via fielder’s choice after a Juan Soto walk.
Brusdar Graterol and Alex Vesia kept the Yankees off the board, however.
Shohei Ohtani leads off the seventh for the Dodgers, who still lead 4-0.
Crowd still supports Judge
Despite going 1 for 11 so far in the World Series, the notoriously tough Yankees crowd is behind Aaron Judge, giving him the loudest ovation of any hitter.
Judge comes to bat with a runner on but hit into a fielder's choice.
Yanks get out of the inning with no more damage
Tommy Edman struck out swinging and Kiké Hernández was thrown out at second, ending the top of the sixth.
New York gives up only one run in the inning, but the Yanks now trail 4-0. Their bats desperately need to wake up.
The top of the order is set to come up for the Yankees, and Brusdar Graterol is in to pitch for the Dodgets.
Walker Buehler is done for the night
Yankees hitters must be relieved that Walker Buehler only pitched five innings this evening. They only mustered two hits against Buehler, who struck five.
Now the top of the Yankees lineup faces Brusdar Graterol.
Dodgers tack on one more
The Dodgers are playing your father’s National League baseball tonight.
Gavin Lux was hit by a pitch, then stole second, then scored on a soft single to center by Kiké Hernández.
The Dodgers now lead 4-0.
1-2-3 fifth for Walker Buehler
Walker Buehler is dealing tonight.
He only needed 12 pitches to get through a 1-2-3 fifth inning. He’s allowed only two hits and struck out five through five.
Will Smith will get things started for the Dodgers in the sixth.
Nothing going for the Dodgers in the fifth
Freddie Freeman reached on an error to start the fifth, but Teoscar Hernández lined out, and then Max Muncy grounded out into a double play.
Nice work from Nestor Cortes.
We head to the bottom of the fifth with the bottom of the Yankees’ order set to bat.
Giancarlo Stanton out at home to end the fourth
The Yankees got their first two hits of the game, but couldn’t get on the scoreboard.
Giancarlo Stanton hit a one-out double and then tried to score two batters later on an Anthony Volpe single, but he was thrown out at home by Teoscar Hernández.
Progress for the Yankees, but we head to the fifth with Los Angeles still leading 3-0.
Some redemption for Nestor Cortes
Unlike Game 1, this time Nestor Cortes got out of a jam.
With two runners on, Cortes got Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts out back-to-back to keep the Dodgers’ lead at 3-0.
We now head to the bottom of the fourth with Aaron Judge set to bat for the Yanks.
Here comes Nestor Cortes again
The last time Cortes was on the mound in the World Series, Freddie Freeman had delivered one of the greatest postseason moments of all time. Yankees fans certainly hope for a different outcome this time.
Cortes first faces Shohei Ohtani who he got to pop out to left fielder Alex Verdugo right before surrendering the grand slam.
Gavin Lux out at home
With runners on the corners, NLCS MVP Tommy Edman laid down a beauty of a bunt, but Gavin Lux couldn’t score from third.
It was an incredibly close play at the plate as Lux tried to slide under the tag, but the out call was held up on replay review.
You can judge it for yourself:
Yankees crowd needs a reason to cheer
Last inning's two-out walk to Gleyber Torres elicited the rumblings of cheers from the sold-out Yankees Stadium crowd who are desperate for signs of life from their team.
The crowd was enthusiastic in the pregame and to start but ever since Freddie Freeman's homer in the first, they have been muted.
Still nothing for the Yankees at the plate
The third inning ends with no runs from New York.
Gleyber Torres drew his second walk with two outs, but that was it. The Yankees have no hits and no other baserunners outside of Torres.
Buehler has five strikeouts through three.
Bottom of the order is due up for Los Angeles to start the fourth.
Yanks get out of the bases loaded jam
New York gives up one in the top of the third, but it lucky not to give up anymore. Mark Leiter Jr. got Will Smith to ground out with the bases loaded to keep the damage minimal.
The Yanks’ bats need to get going, though. Jose Trevino will lead off the bottom of the third.
Aaron Boone going to the bullpen
That’s it for Clarke Schmidt, who lasts only 2 2/3 innings for the Yankees. He’s coming out after walking two of the last three batters to load the bases.
Mark Leiter Jr. is coming in for New York. Will Smith will bat for the Dodgers.
Dodgers add to lead
Some real National League baseball from the Dodgers just now.
Tommy Edman walked, Shohei Ohtani moved him over with a grounder, and then Mookie Betts brought him home with a bloop single to right.
The Dodgers are now up 3-0.
The Yankees, in a must-win game, have Mark Leiter Jr. warming in the bullpen.
And now a 1-2-3 inning for Walker Buehler
The Dodgers come back with a strong inning of their own, as Walker Buehler took down the Yankees in order, with two strikeouts.
Buehler has retired six straight after a leadoff walk.
Tommy Edman will get things started in the third.
1-2-3 second inning for Clarke Schmidt
Nice bounce back for Clarke Schmidt in the second inning, who retired the side in order — with two strikeouts.
Jazz Chisholm is due up to start the bottom of the second.
Yanks strand one, we’re on to the second
Scoreless bottom of the first for the Yankees, who couldn’t take advantage of a leadoff walk.
Aaron Judge’s struggles continued, as he struck out with Gleyber Torres on first.
Will Smith is due up for the Dodgers.
Yankees will bat for the first time trailing by two
We’re headed to the bottom of the first with the Dodgers up 2-0 courtesy of Freddie Freeman.
The Yankees avoided any more damage in the top of the first, and will try to cut into the lead with the top of their order.
Home run, Dodgers!
The Dodgers are up 2-0 early thanks to Freddie Freeman, who just hit another home run. It’s Freeman’s third straight game with a dinger.
He brought home Shohei Ohtani, who walked to start the inning.
We're underway
Clarke Schmidt just threw the first pitch of Game 3, a ball high to Shohei Ohtani. He went on to walk him on four pitches.
Jeter's arm is still good
Former Yankee captain Derek Jeter famously told President George W. Bush before the 2001 World Series not to bounce the ball or else the crowd would boo him.
Jeter had no reason to worry tonight.
Dodgers photographer captures four decades of LA sports history. ‘I can’t believe I am here’
Jon Soohoo has been a witness to Los Angeles sports history for 40 seasons as photographer for the Dodgers.
He’s been there for the highs and lows of one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises, capturing photos of players, fans and iconic moments. His photography is on display at Dodger Stadium, which has provided the scenic backdrop of most of his work, including the dramatic first two games of the 2024 World Series.
“To know that I have been a part of this history, I can’t believe I am here,” Soohoo said. “This is my family, a lot of my family at this point because I see them more than I see my family.”
Who are the starting pitchers for World Series Game 3?
Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 2.85 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees in Game 3 Monday night.
Schmidt also started Game 3 in each of the first two playoff rounds, compiling a 3.86 ERA over 9 1/3 innings in a pair of no-decisions against Kansas City and Cleveland.
Both those outings came on the road, with the series versus the Royals tied 1-all, and the Yankees leading the Guardians 2-0.
Right-hander Walker Buehler (1-6, 5.38 ERA) will get the start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3.
A two-time All-Star, the 30-year-old Buehler returned from his second Tommy John surgery in May and then missed nearly two months this season with a hip injury before coming back in mid-August.
He also has started a pair of Game 3s in this postseason, allowing six runs over five innings in a 6-5 loss at San Diego and pitching four innings in an 8-0 win for Los Angeles on the road against the Mets.
Buehler, who enjoys pitching in cold weather, is 3-4 with a 3.25 ERA in 17 career postseason starts. He’s allowed just one run and five hits with 17 strikeouts over 13 innings in two previous World Series outings, in 2018 against Boston and 2020 vs. Tampa Bay — both in Game 3.
Dave Roberts ahead of Game 3
Sciambi recaps World Series after two games
Broadcaster Jon Sciambi discusses his analysis and coverage of the World Series so far, sharing his thoughts on Shohei Ohtani’s injury, Aaron Judge’s struggles and Freddie Freeman’s Game 1 walk-off grand slam.
CC Sabathia isn't too worried about Aaron Judge
CC Sabathia, one of the Yankees stars of their last World Series win in 2009, thinks slugger Aaron Judge doesn't need to do anything differently, he just needs to be patient.
"I think he goes through these kinds of stretches and you know he’ll just break out of it all of a sudden. Hopefully, that’ll be tonight," Sabathia told NBC News before Game 3.
Judge, who is the likely winner of the AL MVP this season, has struggled this postseason, especially in the World Series. He is 1 for 9 against the Dodgers with six strikeouts.
Yankees hope this history repeats
The last time the Yankees were down 2-0 in the World Series was 1996. Just like this year, that team had broken a 15-year World Series drought but had fallen in the first two contests. The 2024 version is hoping history repeats itself starting tonight.
Shohei Ohtani ready go to tonight
‘Best day of my life’: Dodgers fan describes moment he caught Freddie Freeman’s grand slam ball
A surprise trip to Dodger Stadium became the best day of a young Dodgers fan’s life.
When Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam to save the Dodgers, who were trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night, he was a hero to all Dodgers fans, including 10-year-old Zachary.
The fifth grader caught the ball, which was coming directly toward where he and his parents were sitting.
“When he hit the ball, we knew it was leaving the park, but we had no idea we were going to catch it.” said Zachary, whose parents declined to give his last name. “The ball bounced on the seat in front of us and rolled on the ground a little bit. Then I got it.”
How many teams have come back from 2-0 in the MLB playoffs?
Teams that have taken 2-0 leads in best-of-seven postseason series have won the series 77 of 92 times, per MLB.com.
The last MLB team to come back from a 2-0 deficit and win the series was the Arizona Diamondbacks, who defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS in seven games last year.
Ten teams in Major League Baseball history have come back from 2-0 deficits in the World Series to win the championship, four of which were the Yankees.
The Yankees were also the most recent team to win the World Series after having dropped the first two games, defeating the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 World Series in six games.
N.Y. governor warns of ticket scams
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is warning baseball fans to be alert for ticket scams as the World Series heads to the Bronx tonight.
Ticket prices for Game 3 tonight at Yankee Stadium have been sky-high, with most tickets on the secondary market going for more than $1,000 a piece.
“The match up is historic for baseball fans, but also an opportunity for scammers to take advantage of high demand,” the governor’s office said in a press release.
The state Division of Consumer Protection offered tips to fans to protect themselves.
Ohtani reportedly cleared for Game 3 after shoulder scare
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is expected to play against the Yankees tonight after injuring his shoulder in a slide Saturday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told ESPN on Sunday that Ohtani was in good shape and “will be playing in game 3 tomorrow,” according to reporter Karl Ravech. The Japanese two-way player gave fans a fright when he slide hard trying to steal second base in the bottom of the seventh.
Ohtani didn’t make the steal and lay on his stomach while raising a hand to call for help after the play. He stayed down until the Los Angeles training staff came out to help him off the field.
World Series off to best viewership start since 2017
LOS ANGELES — The World Series is averaging 14.55 million viewers through two games, the best start for the Fall Classic since 2017.
Saturday’s 4-2 victory by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the New York Yankees averaged 13.44 million on Fox, Fox Deportes and streaming. That is a 65% increase over last year’s Game 2, which at 8.15 million was the second least-viewed World Series game on record.
It was the most-viewed Game 2 since 2018, when the Dodgers-Red Sox matchup averaged 13.51 million.
According to Nielsen, Saturday’s audience peaked at 16.35 million during the ninth inning.
The game had a 17.3 rating and 55 share in Los Angeles and 10.3 rating and 32 share in New York.
The rating is the percentage of television households tuned in. The share refers to a percentage of the audience viewing it at the time.
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Former Yankees star Nick Swisher and Dodgers’ fan favorite Andre Ethier stop by "TODAY" to share their thoughts on the upcoming Game 3 of the World Series between the rival franchises.
