NEW YORK — Naturally, two players were at the centre of the World Series build-up to Game 3. Would it be possible for Shohei Ohtani to play? Would Aaron Judge be able to hit his way out of a losing streak? All the headlines were dominated by the top talents on the top teams in baseball. They always do.
Then, on Monday night at Yankee Stadium, the Dodgers and Yankees faced off in Game 3, and the greatest disparity between the two teams was exposed. Aaron Judge’s mashing is essential to the Yankees’ operation. The Dodgers without Ohtani in full force? What do you know? They’re all OK.
This is the beauty of the 2024 Dodgers, who are poised to win a championship after their 4-2 victory on Monday handed them a 3-0 lead in the World Series. They only need to win once, and Ohtani hasn’t really had to do much.
Through interpreter Will Ireton, Ohtani stated, “It’s just really [about] focussing on winning the game tomorrow as a team.” “Having the opportunity is the best thing in the world.”
Ohtani was immediately back in the starting lineup on Monday night following a left shoulder subluxation that occurred during Saturday’s Game 2. He was quiet the rest of the night, going 0-for-3 to drop to 1-for-11 in the Series. He walked in the first and was hit by a pitch in the eighth.
But Freddie Freeman is with the Dodgers. One of them is Mookie Betts. They have Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández, who have all starred in this series. Above all, they possess one of the most extensive collections of hitters in the game—players who have the ability to alter games on both sides of the ball. On Monday, they displayed it once more.
Freeman opened the scoring and calmed a boisterous Yankee Stadium with a two-run blitz in the top of the first stanza, continuing his home run rampage. The Dodgers never let New York back up for air, choosing a highly favourable moment to play one of their most comprehensive games of the season.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a liner to right after Giancarlo Stanton doubled with one out. With the line drive sinking, Betts ranged in and made a diving catch. Hernández came up throwing after Anthony Volpe, a batter later, blasted a single to left. The Yankees’ finest scoring opportunity was cut down in the ninth inning when he hit Stanton with a flawless one-hop strike to the plate.
Buehler later remarked, “There’s this bond that’s kind of different.” “We perform for one another. In terms of what I’m saying, Teo’s play is kind of important because it makes me realise that I made a small mistake. I surrendered a few hits. We also discuss it.
“I haven’t been on many teams where we cover one another as well as this one. Additionally, I’ve never played for a club that leads the World Series 3-0.
In fact, the Dodgers are just one victory away from winning their first World Series in a full season since 1988 and their second in five seasons. For the first time since sustaining the injury, Ohtani talked to media following the game.
He claimed that the pain had lessened. “I felt pretty good, then.”
Perhaps, but after a few strokes, Ohtani was seen on camera flinching. During pregame introductions, he had to wear a gadget to keep his shoulder warm, and he reminded himself not to use it during a slide by holding his jersey in his left hand while jogging the bases.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated following the game that Ohtani would return to the starting lineup for Game 4 on Tuesday. There’s a chance he may be the catalyst for a World Series-winning triumph.
Nevertheless, these Dodgers appear completely capable, regardless of that output. It is amazing given that Ohtani just finished one of the most successful offensive seasons in the history of the game. (There is a clear contrast with their opponent. Judge, the presumed American League MVP for the Yankees, has only managed one hit in this series, and their offence has been a complete mess.
The Dodgers can almost taste the champagne now because they are so close. Their superstar has produced moments worthy of a whole season. However, the teamwork has been most evident on the largest stage.
According to centre fielder Kiké Hernández, “we never stopped believing in each other.” “I felt like we never had our entire team, and we were just really hurt all year long.” We haven’t yet.
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