The New York Yankees’ long-awaited return to the World Series is turning into a nightmare, as they now teeter on the brink of a humiliating sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 3 at Yankee Stadium saw Dodgers slugger Freddie Freeman shine, belting his third consecutive home run of the series and delivering a crushing 4-1 defeat to the Yankees. With the Dodgers up 3-0 in the series, the Yankees are left hoping to salvage their pride as Game 4 looms.
Freeman’s Power Leads Dodgers to the Brink of a Championship
Freeman’s impact was felt from the first inning, sending Dodgers fans into a frenzy and leaving Yankees fans in stunned silence. Just 15 pitches into the game, Freeman launched a two-run homer off Clarke Schmidt, marking his fifth straight World Series game with a home run—a record-setting streak for the Dodgers star. “Freeman’s performance has been nothing short of legendary this postseason,” a Dodgers fan said outside Yankee Stadium.
While much of the World Series buzz had centered on Shohei Ohtani, who played through a shoulder injury in Game 3, Freeman has stepped up as the unexpected star. Ohtani’s pain didn’t keep him from reaching base early, setting up Freeman’s towering home run that put LA up 2-0.
Yankees’ Offensive Woes and Freeman’s Hot Streak
For the Yankees, the difference in performance between their lineup and the Dodgers’ has been stark. Aaron Judge, New York’s $360 million star, once again struggled under the postseason spotlight, striking out in his first at-bat to boos from fans who had expected more from their MVP. The Yankees lineup has been largely ineffective in October, a problem that has become glaringly apparent against the Dodgers’ red-hot rotation.
Even Walker Buehler, who came into the game with one of the highest away ERAs in the league, was untouchable against New York, delivering five scoreless innings and showcasing why the Dodgers are favorites to take the title. Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s lineup changes failed to deliver, as a parade of bullpen arms failed to stop the Dodgers’ offensive onslaught. Jake Cousins surrendered the Dodgers’ fourth run in the fifth inning, all but sealing the win.
Yankee Stadium’s Atmosphere Deflates as Fans Fume Over World Series Collapse
As Yankees fans filed into Yankee Stadium—many paying nearly $2,000 for the coveted tickets—the hope was to witness a World Series turnaround. But Game 3 left them disappointed. Yankees fans were vocal in their discontent, and even the late-game homer by Alex Verdugo did little to ease the sting. Fans across the city are now questioning whether this team, which has failed to deliver under postseason pressure, can manage to win even one game against the surging Dodgers.
Game 4: Yankees’ Final Chance to Avoid Sweep
With the Dodgers just one game away from their long-coveted World Series championship, the Yankees are in survival mode. Tuesday night’s Game 4 in the Bronx will be their last shot to stave off a sweep and restore some pride for a fanbase that has been waiting nearly 15 years for a return to the World Series. Manager Aaron Boone, who faces scrutiny over his lineup choices, sounded determined postgame, saying, “Hopefully we can go be this amazing story and shock the world, but we gotta grab one first.”
As the Dodgers close in on another title, the Yankees now find themselves on the edge of postseason infamy. For New York, only a miracle can save this World Series dream from becoming a painful memory.
