The Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from a historic World Series sweep, holding a commanding 3-0 lead over the New York Yankees after a dominant Game 3 victory at Yankee Stadium. Walker Buehler pitched a gem, Freddie Freeman extended his home run streak, and the Dodgers’ pitching staff shut down the Yankees’ bats.
Freeman’s first-inning homer set the tone for Game 3, giving the Dodgers an early advantage they wouldn’t surrender. This marked Freeman’s third straight game with a home run, solidifying his importance to the Dodgers’ postseason success. The Dodgers haven’t trailed since Game 1, demonstrating their complete control of the series.
Buehler, who had a subpar regular season, tossed five scoreless innings, extending his postseason scoreless streak to 12. This impressive outing highlights the unexpected strength of the Dodgers’ starting pitching, crucial to their playoff dominance. Buehler’s efficiency, needing only 76 pitches for five innings, allowed the Dodgers to strategically manage their bullpen.
Yankees pitching continued to struggle in Game 3, with starter Clarke Schmidt failing to complete four innings for the first time this season. Schmidt gave up four walks and three runs, compounding the Yankees’ pitching woes. Game 2 starter Carlos Rodón also struggled to pitch deep into the game.
The Yankees’ offence, led by presumptive MVP Aaron Judge, has been quiet throughout the series. Judge is currently 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts, a testament to the Dodgers’ pitching staff’s ability to neutralise the Yankees’ biggest threat. Even a late two-run homer by Alex Verdugo wasn’t enough to spark a Yankees comeback.
The Yankees now face elimination in Game 4, with rookie Luis Gil scheduled to start. The Dodgers will use a bullpen game, aiming to complete the sweep and claim their eighth World Series title. The pressure is on the Yankees to avoid a sweep and keep their season alive.