Dodgers take commanding lead in World Series after beating Yankees 4-2 in Game 3

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from a World Series championship.

It could come as soon as Tuesday in New York, where champagne (and brooms) will be on hand. The Dodgers took a 3-0 series lead on the Yankees after winning 4-2 in Game 3. The Yankees were one out away from suffering their first World Series shutout since Game 6 in 2003 against the Florida Marlins when Alex Verdugo hit a two-run home run.

With the Yankees down to their final out and needing Gleyber Torres to reach to bring Aaron Judge to the plate as the tying run, he hit a grounder up the middle where shortstop Tommy Edman made the play for the final out.

The @Dodgers take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Yankees!#WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/9L9fB7W67d

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 29, 2024

The Dodgers are seeking their first championship since 2020, and their first full-season championship since 1988. The Yankees, who have not been swept in the World Series since 1976, now face a deficit that only one team in MLB postseason history has recovered from to win a series.

Alex Verdugo kept the Yankees alive with a two-run homer off Michael Kopech in the bottom of the ninth.

Anthony Rizzo also rounded out to home after walking earlier, helping avoid a shutout loss.

However, the Yankees were already down to two outs at that point.

The Dodgers still lead 4-0 as the Yankees enter their last chance at coming away with a win.

Tommy Kahnle started the inning getting Tommy Edman to ground out to third. Then Luke Weaver replaced Kahnle, going up against Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani was hit by a pitch and walked, but Mookie Betts' ensuing at-bat saw him get grounded out into a double play.

The heart of the Yankees' lineup once again went down quietly.

Ryan Brasier took over in the eighth for the Dodgers and got Juan Soto to fly out to right. Aaron Judge followed with a walk, reaching base for the first time in four plate appearances during Game 3. Brasier then struck out Giancarlo Stanton looking on a pitch high in the zone and fanned Jazz Chisholm Jr. to end the inning.

The Yankees are down to their final three outs. They were last shutout in the World Series in 2003.

The Dodgers couldn't add to their lead entering the bottom of the eighth.

Clay Holmes forced Will Smith to line out before Tommy Kahnle came in for the last two at-bats.

Kahnle got Gavin Lux to strike out looking on a fourth-pitch changeup while Kiké Hernandez followed it up with a pop out to first.

The Yankees left two runners on in the seventh, with the Dodgers possibly getting a little help from the home plate umpire.

Daniel Hudson took over for the Dodgers and struck out Anthony Volpe, who a few pitches prior just barely missed a home run down the right field line. Anthony Rizzo followed with a single for the Yankees' fourth hit of the game. Austin Wells then pinch hit for Jose Trevino and worked the count full before striking out looking on a questionable call that might have been low.

Anthony Banda then replaced Hudson and issued a four-pitch walk to the No. 9 hitter Alex Verdugo. That put two on for Gleyber Torres, who struck out looking on another questionable call, this one appearing high.

Got him!

Torres is caught looking at strike 3 up in the zone.

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/YDLHNBlVVt

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 29, 2024

The Yankees are now 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position in the World Series.

After Tim Hill forced a foul out on Shohei Ohtani and got Mookie Betts out at second, Clay Holmes came in after Freddie Freeman got on base.

Holmes initially allowed Teoscar Hernandez to single to center that saw Freeman get to third base, but he got Max Muncy to strike out swinging on a fifth-pitch slider to keep the score at 4-0.

New pitchers, same results for the Dodgers: another zero on the scoreboard for the Yankees.

Brusdar Graterol replaced starter Walker Buehler to open the sixth inning. He got Gleyber Torres to ground out to second before issuing a walk to Juan Soto. Aaron Judge then hit a comebacker to the mound that Graterol knocked down and threw to second to get the lead runner -- thanks to Tommy Edman stretching to make the catch while keeping his foot on the bag.

Giancarlo Stanton followed with a single up the middle to put runners on first and second, knocking Graterol out of the game. Alex Vesia entered and got Jazz Chisholm Jr. to ground out to second, ending the threat and protecting the Dodgers' 4-0 lead.

The NYPD has every available type of resource deployed to keep the World Series safe in the Bronx -- K9s, drones and armed officers. They are flooding the trains, subway platforms, streets and Yankee Stadium with officers.

"For the cops in the Yankee Stadium detail, we do 80 plus games a year...the intensity.. the energy is that much higher for a World Series games," said Capt. Shaun Tablante of the NYPD Yankee Stadium detail.

The NYPD is focused on keeping fans safe before, during and after the game.

"Let’s get the Yankees a win, let’s keep everybody safe and come back here tomorrow repeat the process, come back Wednesday repeat the process, then fly to LA to get the big W," said NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.

Walker Buehler's night is over after tossing a gem in the Bronx.

The Dodgers' starting pitcher threw just 76 pitches, but manager Dave Roberts is turning to his bullpen to try to secure a win that will put them on the brink of a World Series championship.

Brusdar Graterol will take the ball in the sixth inning with a 4-0 lead.

Buehler, a two-time All-Star who went just 1-6 this season after having his second Tommy John surgery, allowed two hits and two walks with five strikeouts. He is in line for the win if the Dodgers can hold their lead.

The Dodgers took a 4-0 lead in the top of the sixth with one out.

Kiké Hernández singled to center, allowing Gavin Lux to round home from second base, this time being safe at the plate.

Lux had gotten on base after being hit by a pitch from Jake Cousins, with the Yankee bats coming up after Hernandez was caught stealing second and Tommy Edman struck out swinging.

Giancarlo Stanton was thrown out at home plate in the bottom of the fourth with a perfect throw from Teoscar Hernández in the outfield.

"You could sense it rounding third, Stanton had no chance," Chandler wrote.

You could sense it rounding third, Stanton had no chance. pic.twitter.com/SbRnpxsryv

— John Chandler (@JohnChandlerNBC) October 29, 2024

The top of the fifth started on a concerning note after Jazz Chisholm Jr. made a simple defensive error, allowing Freddie Freeman to reach first.

But Nestor Cortes forced Teoscar Hernandez to line out to center while Max Muncy grounded into a double play.

Los Angeles led 3-0 entering the bottom of the fifth.

Giancarlo Stanton got the Yankees' their first hit of the game, but he couldn't get them their first run.

Stanton doubled to left with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning for the Yankees' first hit of Game 3 against Walker Buehler. After Jazz Chisholm Jr. lined out, Anthony Volpe followed with a single to left. Stanton rounded third and the throw home from leftfielder Teoscar Hernández beat him on a play at the plate to keep the Yankees scoreless.

BANG!!

Teoscar Hernández throws out Stanton at home plate!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/nAj2BhWOhF

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 29, 2024

The Yankees trail 3-0 heading to the top of the fifth.

After Gavin Lux was ruled out at home following Tommy Edman's bunt, Nestor Cortes replaced Mark Leiter Jr. on the mound with one out.

Cortes then struck out Shohei Ohtani in seven pitches while Mookie Betts lined out to left to end the top of the fourth inning with Los Angeles still holding a 3-0 lead.

The Dodgers nearly took a 4-0 lead when Gavin Lux attempted to slide home on a bunt by Tommy Edman.

However, Yankees catcher Jose Trevino was deemed to have tagged Lux before he touched base.

After a challenge review, the initial call stood and Lux was ruled out.

Nestor Cortes then came in for Mark Leiter Jr. as Shohei Ohtani entered for his second plate appearance, but the Japanese star struck out for the inning's second out.

Dodgers starter Walker Buehler is showing some of his best stuff of the season on the mound in Game 3, manager Dave Roberts told the FOX broadcast.

Buehler has thrown 53 pitches and held the Yankees hitless with five strikeouts.

The Yankees are still looking for their first hit of the game against Walker Buehler.

The Dodgers starting pitcher opened the bottom of the third by striking out Jose Trevino, who got the start over Austin Wells for the first time in the series. Alex Verdugo then went down looking for Buehler's fourth straight strikeout. After Gleyber Torres, the Yankees' only baserunner of the game so far, drew his second walk of the night, Juan Soto grounded out to first to end the inning.

Buehler has thrown 53 pitches through three innings. The Yankees trail 3-0 heading to the fourth.

Mark Leiter Jr. came in for damage control, and he did just that.

After Clarke Schmidt loaded the bases in the top of the third, Leiter Jr. forced a groundout by Will Smith on a comebacker to the mound.

The Dodgers maintained their 3-0 lead with the Yankee bats up next.

Aaron Boone is making a change just 2.2 innings in.

Starter Clarke Schmidt was taken off after allowing the bases to be loaded in the top of the third with the Yankees down 3-0.

Mookie Betts (third), Freddie Freeman (second) and Max Muncy (first) were on the bases as Mark Leiter Jr. came in.

Leiter would end up getting Will Smith out to get out of the jam and end the third inning.

The Dodgers are now up 3-0 in the top of the third.

With one out after Shohei Ohtani hit a grounder to second, Mookie Betts battled Clarke Schmidt for nine pitches before finally getting a hit to drop in front of Juan Soto in right.

The single allowed Edman, who was on second base, to reach home.

The Yankee bats remain silent through two innings.

Walker Buehler pitched a clean inning in the bottom of the second, retiring the Yankees in order. Jazz Chisholm Jr. led off with a fly out to center. Buehler then struck out Anthony Rizzo and Anthony Volpe to end the inning.

Buehler has retired six straight since allowing a leadoff walk to open the game.

Clarke Schmidt got out of the second inning without allowing any more runs.

Will Smith flied out to right, Gavin Lux struck out swinging on the fifth pitch and Kike Hernandez also struck out swinging, but on the fourth pitch.

It didn't take long for Aaron Judge to be at the plate in a key spot.

But the struggles continued for the Yankees slugger, who struck out in his first at-bat during Game 3 of the World Series. With the Yankees trailing after Freddie Freeman's two-run home run in the top of the first inning, Gleyber Torres opened the bottom of the inning with a lead off walk against Walker Buehler. Juan Soto then flew out to left field, bringing Judge to the plate.

Judge struck out swinging on a cutter. He entered the game hitting .150 in playoffs and is now just 1-for-10 in the World Series.

The Dodgers are on the board first.

Freddie Freeman took Clarke Schmidt's cutter to the yard, opening with a two-run homer with Shohei Ohtani also running in.

Ohtani faced a four-pitch walk to leadoff the game while Mookie Betts, who came before Freeman, went out on a pop fly.

The Dodgers finished the top of the first up 2-0.

Game 3 of the World Series is underway at 8:18 p.m. ET as Clarke Schmidt throws to Shohei Ohtani to start off the first inning.

Schmidt walked Ohtani to start the game.

South Bronx native Fat Joe performed at Yankee Stadium ahead of Game 3 getting underway.

He performed "New York," a song by fellow New York native Ja Rule that he featured in and "All the Way Up," a song he made with Remy Ma that featured French Montana and Infared.

The performance came after Ice Cube took center stage inside Dodger Stadium ahead of Game 2, representing Los Angeles.

Actor, singer and Broadway star Leslie Odom Jr. performed the national anthem ahead of Game 3.

Leslie Odom Jr. with an incredible National Anthem performance ahead of #WorldSeries Game 3 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NReE8IXfgE

— MLB (@MLB) October 29, 2024

Derek Jeter once again delivered in the postseason at Yankee Stadium.

The Captain threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the World Series, delivering a strike.

The Captain 🫡@derekjeter throws out the ceremonial first pitch #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/CLTwzUCDxF

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 29, 2024

The Hall of Famer, who led the Yankees to five World Series titles, will be in attendance for each game of the series as an analyst for FOX.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani had his left arm in a black sling during lineup introductions. It's the first time we've seen Ohtani since he left the field with a shoulder injury in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday.

Ohtani is in the lineup and batting leadoff for the Dodgers.

Shohei Ohtani has his arm in a sling as he jogs out for baseline introductions.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) October 28, 2024

It's déjà vu all over again at Yankee Stadium.

The sights and sounds are making it feel like the Yankees' last championship season of 2009, with Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez in the building for Game 3 of the World Series as FOX analysts.

Yankees fans welcomed the two back home with a traditional "Bleacher Creature" roll call: DER-EK JET-ER! DE-REK JET-ER! A-ROD! A-ROD!

Yankees fans doing roll call for @derekjeter and @AROD behind the set is absolutely incredible 👏🙌 pic.twitter.com/oIG0QOUQYr

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 28, 2024

Fellow analyst and former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz did not receive the same treatment.

Yankees pitching legend CC Sabathia says the team's captain, Aaron Judge, will figure a way out of his postseason hitting troubles.

"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.

After suffering a shoulder injury in Game 2 on Saturday, Shohei Ohtani wanted his fellow players to know he was okay.

The Japanese star reached out in a group chat with fellow Dodgers players to erase any doubts over his status.

“The text just like literally said: `I can play,'” infielder Max Muncy recalled Monday. “I mean, there was more to it than that.”

Ahead of Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez received the Roberto Clemente Award.

The award is "one of baseball’s most prestigious awards that annually recognizes a Major League player who best represents baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions," according to MLB.

Perez is the first Royals player to win the award.

Salvador Perez received the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award ahead of tonight's #WorldSeries Game 3. 👏 pic.twitter.com/nTK5QUd7td

— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2024

For what is essentially a must-win game for the New York Yankees, Aaron Boone made a tweak to the lineup.

He elected to give catcher Jose Trevino the start over Austin Wells for Game 3 of the World Series. Wells, who went a combined 1-for-8 in Games 1 and 2, is hitting just .098 in the postseason. Trevino struggles throwing out base stealers, which is a flaw the Dodgers will likely look to take advantage of.

Here is the Yankees lineup for Game 3:

1. Gleyber Torres - 2B

2. Juan Soto - RF

The Dodgers are looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in the World Series, and this is the lineup that will try to give it to them.

1. Shohei Ohtani - DH
2. Mookie Betts - RF
3. Freddie Freeman - 1B
4. Teoscar Hernández - LF
5. Max Muncy - 3B
6. Will Smith - C
7. Gavin Lux - 2B
8. Kiké Hernández - CF
9. Tommy Edman - SS
   Walker Buehler - P

Tonight’s #WorldSeries Game 3 Dodgers lineup at Yankees: pic.twitter.com/KzersBGjja

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 28, 2024

The Yankees need to make a Fall Classic comeback.

Ten teams in World Series history have rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to win the championship, with the Yankees doing so on four occasions.

The Yankees were also the last team to do so, having won the 1996 World Series in six games after losing the first two to the Atlanta Braves.

Only one team in MLB postseason history has come back from a 3-0 series deficit, and the Yankees and their fans know all to well which team that was.

The Dodgers may have eliminated the San Diego Padres in the postseason, but that didn't stop two players from connecting ahead of Game 3.

Los Angeles star Teoscar Hernandez was seen meeting with Padres infielder Luis Arraez as the two embraced.

A number of Yankees legends including CC Sabathia and Dave Winfield are in the house for the World Series. Many of them had a chance to watch batting practice. Some, including Sabathia, even caught up with the Dodgers players and staff and took photos together.

Dave Roberts says hello to CC Sabathia as Clayton Kershaw walks by. #Dodgers #Yankees #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/a2SwJK5FhV

— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) October 28, 2024

It may not be a traditional sports holiday like Christmas, Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July, but Monday will be a mix of all three for fans.

Oct. 28, 2024, is one of the rare dates on the sports calendar that will feature professional baseball, football, basketball and hockey games. From the World Series to Monday Night Football to the NBA and NHL seasons, there is action across the board.

Read more about the rare equinox here.

The MTA said it has added extra train service to and from Yankee Stadium for the World Series.

Extra no. 4 and D trains have been added and will stop at 161 St-Yankee Stadium. There are also an increased number of Metro-North and Yankee Clipper trains.

Read more details here.

All aboard to the World Series! We’re rolling out extra service to get you to the games in no time:

🚇 Increased 4 and D subway service at 161 St-Yankee Stadium
🚆 Increased @MetroNorth service to/from Yankees-E. 153rd St, including the Yankee Clipper trains pic.twitter.com/IlAbDv3X5v

— MTA (@MTA) October 28, 2024

Shohei Ohtani isn't missing this one.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star will play in Game 3 of the World Series against the New York Yankees on Monday despite suffering a partial dislocation of his left shoulder late in Game 2 on Saturday.

Ohtani will continue to lead off for the Dodgers, the same spot in the lineup that he has had throughout the postseason.

It's a quick turnaround for Ohtani, who suffered the injury while sliding into second base to end the seventh inning of Game 2. He rolled around in pain while grabbing his arm before being helped to his feet and walking back to the clubhouse.

Read the full story here.

Major League Baseball shared photos of Shohei Ohtani arriving at Yankee Stadium for Game 3 of the World Series.

Ohtani is in the lineup for tonight in usual leadoff position despite sustaining a shoulder injury in Game 2.

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.