Mike Salas
World Series Game 3, 10/28/2024: Dodgers 4, Yankees 2
BRONX, NY — Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler took the mound for Los Angeles in Game 3 of the 2024 World Series, a critical matchup for the Yankees after losing the first two games in LA, where the Dodgers’ offense had dismantled New York’s top pitchers. New York’s RHP Clarke Schmidt stepped in, aiming to stymie the Dodgers’ powerful lineup and keep the series competitive.
The Dodgers wasted no time getting on the board. After a Shohei Ohtani walk and a Mookie Betts flyout, Freddie Freeman came to bat and launched a home run to center-right field, putting the Dodgers ahead 2-0 in the top of the first. Both pitchers struggled with command early, often missing first-pitch strikes, but Buehler soon settled into a groove.
In the top of the third inning, Tommy Edman took a walk. After Ohtani struck out, Mookie Betts hit a blooper to right field, scoring Edman from second and increasing the Dodgers’ lead to 3-0. With two outs, the Dodgers loaded the bases, bringing Will Smith to the plate. Smith battled to a full count before grounding weakly back to the pitcher, ending the inning and stranding three runners. Schmidt was subsequently pulled in the third inning after loading the bases with walks.
Buehler dominated in the bottom of the third, striking out two, issuing a walk, and inducing Juan Soto to ground out weakly to Freeman to end the inning.
At the start of the fourth, Gavin Lux drew a walk, followed by a sharp line drive from Kike Hernandez to left, putting runners on the corners. Edman laid down a bunt, but Lux was called out at home. Despite the Dodgers challenging the call, it was upheld. With runners on base, Ohtani struck out, visibly struggling due to a shoulder injury affecting his swing, and Betts flied out to left, leaving two stranded.
The Dodgers’ defense shone in the bottom of the fourth. Mookie Betts made a highlight-reel catch in right field, while Teoscar Hernandez gunned down Giancarlo Stanton at home plate, preserving the Dodgers’ 3-0 lead heading into the fifth.
Buehler finished his night after five scoreless innings, throwing 76 pitches (45 strikes), allowing just two hits, no earned runs, two walks, and five strikeouts. For the first time this season, he also managed six swings and misses on his fastball, delivering one of his best performances at Yankee Stadium.
In the top of the sixth, Gavin Lux was hit by a pitch with two strikes. A wild pitch allowed Lux to advance to second, and Kike Hernandez followed up with a single up the middle, scoring Lux to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 4-0.
The Dodgers bullpen experienced some trouble in the seventh. Daniel Hudson labored through 22 pitches to record two outs, while Anthony Banda needed ten pitches to secure the final out. Despite many missed scoring opportunities, LA ended the inning with a 4-0 lead, going 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranding seven. The Yankees faced similar struggles, hitting just 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position and also leaving seven on base.
Both teams grew frustrated with the home plate umpire’s calls in the eighth, with several batters exchanging looks and words. The Yankees seemed particularly rattled, affecting their focus at the plate. Both sides went scoreless, and the Dodgers carried a 4-0 lead into the ninth.
In the ninth inning, with two outs, Michael Kopech surrendered a two-run homer to Alex Verdugo, adding late drama to the game. However, Kopech regrouped and got Gleyber Torres to ground out, sealing the Dodgers’ 4-2 victory.
Game 4 of the World Series is set for 5:08 p.m. Pacific on Fox. The Dodgers plan to rely on their bullpen to try to bring the World Series trophy home, while the Yankees turn to Luis Gil to keep their hopes alive and force a Game 5.
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