Freddie Freeman homered for a record-tying third consecutive game as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged closer to a World Series title by defeating the New York Yankees 4-2 on Monday (Oct. 29 in the Philippines).
Freeman, who hit a walk-off grand slam to win the opener in Los Angeles, launched a two-run homer in the first inning. Walker Buehler pitched five shutout innings, allowing only two hits, setting the tone for a victory that puts the Dodgers up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series.
“When you come into a road park, you want to try and strike early and quiet the crowd down, and we were able to do that in the first inning,” Freeman said.
The Dodgers can clinch their first title since 2020 by winning Game 4 on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees face the daunting task of trying to become the first team to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win the World Series.
“We’re trying to get a game tomorrow. That’s where our focus lies,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Hopefully we can go be this amazing story and shock the world.”
Freeman joined Hank Bauer (1958) and Barry Bonds (2002) as the only players to homer in each of the first three games of a World Series. He also matched George Springer’s record of homers in five consecutive World Series games.
“When it’s all said and done, I can look at that, but the most important thing is one more win,” Freeman said. “That’s all I care about right now. I don’t care how it happens. I just want to get one more win.”
The Yankees have not been swept in a World Series since the Cincinnati Reds did it in 1976. The most recent sweep in the Series was by San Francisco over Detroit in 2012.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says his players are motivated by the prospect of a championship parade in Los Angeles, their first since 1988, after the pandemic canceled 2020 celebrations.
“We want that parade. We never got a chance to celebrate with the city of Los Angeles. That’s something of incentive,” Roberts said. “Outside of that, you have an opportunity to be a world champion. That’s more than enough incentive and motivation.”
The Dodgers are seeking their eighth World Series title, while the Yankees, with a record 27 titles, are pursuing their first since 2009.
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, who suffered a partially dislocated left shoulder in Game 2, returned as designated hitter to start Game 3. The Japanese star walked on four pitches to open the game and then scored on Freeman’s homer.
“They made some mistakes with the heater, and he made them pay,” Roberts said.
Ohtani hit 54 home runs and stole 59 bases this season, making him the first 50-50 player in MLB history.
“He’s not feeling his best, but whatever percent of Shohei is better than most people,” Roberts said.
Tommy Edman scored in the third on a Mookie Betts single, and Gavin Lux scored in the sixth on an Enrique Hernandez single for the Dodgers.
Buehler, who has twice undergone “Tommy John” surgery, struck out five to earn the win.
“It takes that adrenaline to really get me going mentally,” Buehler said. “There’s something different in the playoffs.”
Roberts praised the 30-year-old right-hander’s performance.
“This is as confident as I’ve seen him,” Roberts said. “His stuff was as good as it has been all year.”
Six Dodgers relievers held the Yankees scoreless until Alex Verdugo’s two-run homer in the ninth produced their only runs.
“Most of their bullpen guys came in and threw a lot of pitches,” Boone said. “Hopefully that little bit of familiarity serves us well.”
