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NEW YORK — Freddie Freeman continued his impressive performance by homering for the third consecutive game, while Walker Buehler delivered another outstanding pitching performance as the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Monday night. This win gives the Dodgers a commanding 3-0 lead in the World Series.
In a surprising turn of events, the Los Angeles team is now one win away from completing a sweep in this highly anticipated matchup between two of baseball’s most storied franchises. Despite dealing with a partially dislocated left shoulder, superstar Shohei Ohtani played a pivotal role in the game.
The Dodger pitching staff showcased exceptional skill as Buehler, along with six relievers, combined to allow just five hits throughout the game. With the team on the brink of capturing its second championship in five years and the eighth in franchise history, hopes are high in Los Angeles.
Teoscar Hernández made a significant defensive play, throwing out a runner at home plate with an accurate throw from left field. Simultaneously, Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández each contributed an RBI single, forcing the Yankees to replace starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt by the third inning.
Freeman’s two-run home run early in the game marked his participation in five consecutive World Series games with a homer, matching a record previously set by George Springer of Houston. Having previously battled a sprained right ankle earlier in the postseason, Freeman’s recent form has been impressive, highlighted by his historic grand slam clinching the first game of this series—a dramatic opener in Los Angeles.
Since that initial game, the Dodgers have maintained a dominant position, making Game 4 set for Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium crucial for their championship hopes. The Dodgers are now down to three healthy starters and are preparing for their fourth bullpen game of the postseason. The Yankees will turn to rookie right-hander Luis Gil to deliver a strong performance.
Historically, in the 11 previous World Series encounters between these two rivals, the only sweep recorded was by the Dodgers in 1963, led by Hall of Fame pitchers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Meanwhile, the Yankees have not experienced a sweep in a Fall Classic since 1976 when they faced the Cincinnati Reds.
Despite their storied history, the Dodgers have enjoyed an impressive streak against the Yankees, winning seven consecutive World Series matchups since their victory in 1981. This game marked the first World Series contest held at Yankee Stadium since New York celebrated its 27th title against Philadelphia in 2009. However, a return home did not bring the desired results for Aaron Judge and the struggling Yankees, who managed to score only four runs across the last two games.
New York did not find the scoreboard until the ninth inning, when Alex Verdugo hit a two-run home run off Michael Kopech with two outs. Kopech then secured the win by retiring Gleyber Torres on a groundout.
Buehler displayed his prowess on the mound, allowing only two hits over five innings while striking out five. His only previous win this season came on May 18 against Cincinnati, following a series of injuries.
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