Dodgers Hold 3-0 Series Lead
The Dodgers won Game 3 of the 120th World Series, 4-2, behind a two-run homer from Freddie Freeman and a dominant outing from Walker Buehler. It is just the second time the Dodgers have won each of the first three games of a World Series after previously going up 3-0 in 1963 against New York en route to earning a series sweep. Overall, it is the third time that they lead a best-of-seven series 3-0, winning the 2017 NLCS and 1963 World Series.
The Yankees face a 3-0 hole in the World Series for the fourth time in franchise history. Previously, they trailed and were swept in four games in 1963 against Los Angeles and 1976 against Cincinnati. The Yankees also trailed 3-0 in 1922 against the New York Giants and went on to lose four games to none, but tied game 2, 3-3. Overall, it is the sixth time that they trail a best-of-seven series 3-0, going winless each of the previous five times, with four official sweeps.
This is the 24th time that a club has taken a 3-0 lead in the World Series, with all previous 24 teams winning the World Series. The only club to ever climb out of a 3-0 hole in a best-of-seven series is the 2004 Red Sox, who won Games 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees en route to winning the World Series. Teams with a 3-0 series lead have won the World Series in Game 4 21 times, with the three exceptions being the Orioles in 1970 against the Reds; the Yankees in 1937 against the Giants; and the Athletics in 1910 against the Cubs.
All three clubs went on to win the World Series in Game 5. Overall, the winner of Game 4 has gone on to win the World Series 86 times (72.3%). There has not been a sweep in 11 consecutive World Series, with the last sweep coming by the Giants in the 2012 World Series over the Tigers. 11 consecutive World Series without a sweep is the second-longest stretch in World Series history, behind a 12-year streak from 1977-1988 which saw no teams record a World Series sweep.
Postseason Performance
The Dodgers will toss their fourth bullpen game of this Postseason after also deploying the platoon in Game 4 of the NLDS against San Diego in an 8-0 win to fend off elimination. Ryan Brasier threw 1.1 innings, Anthony Banda threw 0.2 innings, Michael Kopech threw 1.0 inning, Alex Vesia threw 1.2 innings, Evan Phillips took the win and threw 1.1 innings, Daniel Hudson threw 1.0 inning, Blake Treinen threw 1.0 inning and Landon Knack closed the game with 1.0 inning of work.
The Dodgers used a bullpen game in Game 2 of the NLCS, as Ryan Brasier threw 1.0 inning, Landon Knack threw 2.0 innings, Anthony Banda threw 1.0 inning, Brent Honeywell Jr. threw 3.0 innings and Edgardo Henriquez finished the game with 2.0 innings of work. Los Angeles also turned to the bullpen in the clinching-Game 6 of the NLCS, behind 1.0 inning from Michael Kopech, 1.1 innings from Ben Casparius, 1.1. innings from Anthony Banda, 1.1 innings from Ryan Brasier, 1.0 inning from Evan Phillips, 1.0 inning from Daniel Hudson and 2.0 innings from Blake Treinen.
It’s Worked Before
The Dodgers win on October 9th in the NLDS marked their third win in Postseason franchise history in which they deployed at least eight pitchers in a nine-inning game. Previously, Los Angeles used nine pitchers in Game 3 of the 2021 NLCS, taking a 6-5 win over the Braves, and used eight pitchers in Game 2 of the 2018 NLCS, claiming a 4-3 win over the Brewers.
The Astros are the only team to ever use at least eight pitchers in a potential LCS-clinching game (AL or NL), deploying eight pitchers in Game 7 of the ALCS against Texas last year. Previously, there has been 20 clubs who used at least eight pitchers in a potential clinching game in the Postseason, going 8-12 with the Guardians win in Game 5 of the ALDS against Detroit this year marking the last such win. Of those 20 instances, 13 have come in nine-inning games
Prior to 2011, there had been just three such games in Postseason history and only one of which that wasn’t an extra-inning game. According to Codify, no club has ever won the World Series when deploying at least four pitchers in every game of the series (h/t @Codify). Los Angeles has used 6 pitchers in Game 1; 5 in Game 2 and 7 in Game 3.
Against the Yankees
In their three regular season matchups this season, the Dodgers bullpen carried a 1.93 ERA against the Yankees, allowing two earned runs in 9.1 innings of work. In the World Series, the Dodgers bulllpen has allowed four runs on 11 hits with seven walks and 16 strikeouts across 11.1 innings of work.
Streaking
The Dodgers bullpen did not allow a run over its four games in Games 3, 4 and 5 of the NLDS and Game 1 of the NLCS, spanning 16.2 innings of work. It is the 15th-longest in a single Postseason and the longest since the Houston Astros bullpen threw 18.1 scoreless innings en route to winning the World Series in 2022.
The Dodgers bullpen threw 3.0 scoreless innings on October 8th at San Diego; 7.2 scoreless on October 9th at San Diego; 4.0 scoreless on October 11th against San Diego; and opened the NLCS with 2.0 scoreless innings last night.
Overall, the Dodgers pitching staff did not allow a run in 33.0 innings of work, tying the longest single-Postseason streak set by the 1966 Baltimore Orioles, who coincidentally did not allow the Dodgers to score in 33.0 consecutive innings in Games 1-4 of the World Series.
NEW YORK YANKEES PITCHING
Luis Gil
Age: 26 (6/3/1998)
Birthplace: Azua, Dominicna Republic
2024 Regular Season: 15-7, 3.50 ERA
2024 Postseason: 0-0, 4.50 ERA
Postseason Performance
Gil has made one start this Postseason, allowing two runs on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts across 4.0 innings of work in Game 4 of the ALCS at Cleveland.
- 10/18 @ CLE: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO (60 pitches, 34 strikes)
Against the Dodgers
Is facing Los Angeles for the second time this season after previously facing them on June 9th. He allowed three runs on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts across 5.2 innings of work, taking a no-decision as the Yankees beat the Dodgers, 6-4.
Home Sweet Home
Went 6-4 with a 3.57 ERA (30 ER/75.2 IP) at Yankee Stadium in the regular season and has not pitched at home this Postseason. Earned the win in five consecutive home starts from April 21st through June 4th.
Regular Season
Made a career-high 29 starts, going 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA. Won seven consecutive starts from May 1st through June 4th, pitching to a 0.60 ERA (3 ER/44.2 IP). He was named AL Pitcher of the Month and AL Rookie of the Month for May, becoming the fifth pitcher in MLB and fourth in the AL to win both awards within the same month, joining the Angels’ Matt Shoemaker (August 2014); the Rays’ Chris Archer (July 2013); the Rays’ Jeremy Hellickson (May 2011); and the Marlins’ Dontrelle Willis (June 2003).
The Arsenal
Gil relies on three pitches (2024 stats):
- 4-Seamer – 48.8%, .205 opp. AVG
- Slider – 25.9%, .171 opp. AVG
- Changeup – 25.3%, .179 opp. AVG
Good Company
When he toes the rubber, Gil will become the first Yankees starter aged 26-or-younger to start a World Series game since 26-year-old Andy Pettitte took the ball in Game 4 of the 1998 World Series.
Pitching Frenzy
The Yankees used eight pitchers last night, setting a franchise World Series record. It is tied for the second-most ever in a World Series game with the 2021 Astros (G6 – 9 inn); 2011 Rangers (G6 – 11 inn); 2005 Astros (G3 – 14 inn); 1975 Reds (G6 -12 inn); 1967 Cardinals (G6 – 9 inn); and 1961 Reds (G5 – 9 inn). The only clubs to use nine pitchers in a game are the 2018 Dodgers (G3 – 18 inn); 2018 Red Sox (G3 – 18 inn); 2017 Dodgers (G2 – 11 inn); and the 2005 White Sox (G3 – 14 inn).
Combined with the Dodgers, 15 total pitchers were used in last night’s game, marking the most in a nine-inning World Series game. There have only been three previous World Series games in which at least 15 combined pitchers were used, including Game 3 of the 2018 Fall Classic (18 pitchers – 18 inn); Game 3 of the 2005 World Series (17 pitchers – 14 inn); and Game 6 of the 2011 World Series (15 pitchers – 11 inn).
