World Series Game 3 takeaways: Dodgers go up 3-0 on Yankees

World Series Game 3 takeaways: Dodgers go up 3-0 on Yankees

World Series Game 3 takeaways: Dodgers go up 3-0 on Yankees

The Los Angeles Dodgers' dominance continued as the 2024 World Series shifted to Yankee Stadium for Game 3. Freddie Freeman set the tone early with a home run, marking his third consecutive game with one, while Walker Buehler and the Dodgers' bullpen silenced the New York Yankees' offense once more.



With the Dodgers now one win away from their first World Series championship in four years, New York faces elimination. Here’s a breakdown of how Los Angeles took control and what’s left for the Yankees as they fight to extend the series.



Dodgers: Coming into this series, the Yankees appeared to have the upper hand in starting pitching, but the Dodgers have flipped that expectation. Walker Buehler pitched five scoreless innings on Monday, following impressive outings from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty, who collectively posted a 1.62 ERA over the first three games. Buehler, who struggled during the regular season with a 5.38 ERA after returning from his second Tommy John surgery, finally looked in top form, using an effective curveball and rediscovering his powerful fastball.



Freddie Freeman's health was also a concern coming into the series, but he’s been instrumental in the Dodgers' offense, showing no signs of slowing down. With just one game standing between the Dodgers and their first full-season championship since 1988, their pitching strength has emerged as a decisive advantage.



Yankees: For New York, the 3-0 series deficit reflects their inability to generate offense. The Yankees managed only four hits and five walks in Game 3, prompting boos from their home crowd. Giancarlo Stanton was a rare bright spot, going 2-for-4, while Aaron Judge, the presumed American League MVP, struggled, going 0-for-3 with a walk and extending his series line to just 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts. Missed opportunities, like Stanton being thrown out at home and Gleyber Torres' controversial strikeout, have hindered the Yankees’ scoring ability. With only seven runs scored in the series, New York’s lineup has gone quiet when they needed it most.



Looking Ahead to Game 4: The big question now: can the Yankees avoid a sweep? Odds initially favored the Dodgers by a narrow margin, but after three games, Los Angeles appears firmly in control. The Yankees’ chances rest on Luis Gil delivering a strong start, especially after struggles from Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt. But even if Gil holds up, the Dodgers plan to use their bullpen extensively in Game 4, which may not be a disadvantage given how their relievers have performed.



Historically, only one team—the 2004 Boston Red Sox—has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series, and it happened against the Yankees. For New York, a comeback now would require an unlikely turnaround, especially with their offense faltering as it has. The Yankees need nothing short of a miracle to stay alive.