Dodgers Hold 2-0 Series Lead
The Dodgers won Game 2 of the 120th World Series, 4-2, behind a trio of homers from Tommy Edman, Teoscar Hernández and Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers claimed a 2-0 series lead, marking the fifth time that they have won each of the first two games in the World Series, joining: 1988, 1978, 1963 and 1956.
The Dodgers went on to win the World Series in 1988 over the Athletics and 1963 over the Yankees (sweep). Previously, the Dodgers held a 2-0 lead over the Yankees in the World Series in 1978 (lost series 4-2), 1963 (swept series, 4-0) and 1956 (lost series, 4-3).
It is the ninth time that the Yankees face a 2-0 deficit in the World Series, joining: 2001, 1996, 1978, 1976, 1963, 1958, 1956 and 1922. They went on to win the Fall Classic in 1996 over the Braves; 1978 over the Dodgers; 1958 over the Braves; and 1956 over the Dodgers.
It is the 57th time that a club has taken a 2-0 advantage in the World Series, with that club going on to win Game 3 24 previous times (42.9%) and win the World Series 45 times (80.4%). The last club to take 2-0 World Series lead was the Nationals in 2019 as they went on to beat the Astros in 7 games.
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.
Back-to-Back Homers
Teoscar Hernández and Freddie Freeman launched back-to-back home runs in the third inning last night, marking the 19th time ever that a team hit back-to-back homers in the World Series. It was the first time since Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins went back-to-back for the Phillies in the fifth inning of Game 3 in 2022. It was the second time that the Dodgers hit back-to-back homers in the World Series after Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager went back-to-back in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the 1981 World Series, lifting a game-tying and go-ahead homer to claim a 2-1 win over the Yankees.
The blasts came with two outs, marking the fourth time in World Series history that a club hit back-to-back homers with two outs in the frame, joining: San Diego in the fifth inning of Game 1 in 1998; New York (AL) in the eighth inning in Game 5 in 1977; and Boston in the fourth inning in Game 6 in 1967.
That was Quick
Last night’s game was completed in two hours and fifty-three minutes (2:53), marking the second-fastest World Series game since the Pitch Clock was introduced last year, behind Game 3 of the 2023 World Series, which lasted two hours and fifty-one minutes (2:51). It was the shortest World Series Game for Los Angeles since Game 1 of the 2017 World Series, which was completed in two hours and twenty-eight minutes (2:28). It was the shortest World Series game for New York since Game 2 of the 2001 World Series, which finished in two hours and thirty-five minutes (2:35).
Two Nights at Freddie’s
Freddie Freeman has now homered in the first two games of the World Series, becoming the first Dodgers player ever to homer in Games 1 and 2 of a World Series. According to Elias, Freeman is the 11th player to homer in both Games 1 and 2 of the World Series, joining: Hall of Famer David Ortiz (2013); Craig Monroe (2006); Barry Bonds (2002); Reggie Sanders (2002); Hall of Famer Ted Simmons (1982); Boog Powell (1970); Hank Bauer (1958); Dusty Rhodes (1954); Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane (1930); and Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx (1929).
He is the seventh Dodgers player (eighth occurrence) to homer in back-to-back World Series games, joining: Justin Turner (G 3-4, 2020); Pedro Guerrero (G 5-6, 1981); Reggie Smith (G 5-6, 1977); Chuck Essegian (G2 and G6, 1959); Hall of Famer Duke Snider (2x; G 4-5, 1955 and G 5-6, 1952); and Hall of Famer Roy Campanella (G 3-4, 1955).
Along with his triple and walk-off grand slam on Friday, Freeman is just the second player ever with at least two homers and a triple within the first two games of a World Series, joining Hall of Famer Babe Ruth in 1923. Dating back to games 5 and 6 of the 2021 World Series with Atlanta, Freeman has homered in each of his last four World Series games. He is just the fourth player ever to homer in at least four consecutive World Series games, joining: George Springer, who homered in Games 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the 2017 World Series and Game 1 of the 2019 World Series; Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, who homered in Games 4, 5 and 6 of the 1977 World Series and Game 1 of the 1978 World Series; and Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, who homered in Games 2, 3 and 4 of the 1928 World Series and Game 1 of the 1932 World Series.
According to Sarah Langs, Freeman is the sixth player ever to hit multiple World Series homers with multiple World Series teams, joining: Corey Seager (LAD/TEX); Dave Henderson (BOS/OAK); Lenny Dykstra (PHI/NYM); Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson (OAK/NYY); and Reggie Smith (BOS/LAD)
Game Three
The winner of the third game of the World Series has gone on to win the Fall Classic 77 times (64.7%). That has been the case in four of the last seven, 12 of the last 20 and 27 of the last 42 World Series beginning in 1981.
The Dodgers are 28-28 all-time in Game 3 of a Postseason Series, including 18-13 in Game 3 of a best-of-seven series overall, and 12-9 in Game 3 of the World Series.
- Los Angeles is 1-1 in Game 3 of a series this Postseason, losing to the Padres (6-5) in the
NLDS; and beating New York (8-0) in the NLCS. The Yankees are 49-34 all-time in Game 3 of a Postseason Series, including 31-22 in Game 3 of a best-of-seven series overall, and 26-14 in Game 3 of the World Series. - New York is 1-1 in Game 3 of a series this Postseason, beating the Royals (3-2) in the ALDS; and losing to the Guardians (7-5) in 10 innings in the ALCS.
Homer Happy
There have been 16 go-ahead home runs in the fifth inning-or-later this Postseason, with Giancarlo Stanton and Freeman adding two to the total in Game 1. According to Elias, that is tied for the most such home runs in a single Postseason with 1995 and 2022.
Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto have each hit four home runs to tie the game or take the lead. Overall, the Yankees have hit 10 home runs this Postseason that have tied the game or put them into the lead, the most of any club this October.
Running Wild
There has been 55 stolen bases this Postseason, which are the fourth-most ever in a single Postseason. The only Postseasons with more stolen bases are 1995 (59); 2023 (57); and 1999 (56). The Dodgers (12 SB) and Yankees (10 SB) have the most and second-most stolen bases of all clubs in October.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., who swiped three bags in Game 1, leads all players this October with five stolen bases. He is trailed closely by Tommy Edman, who has swiped four bags.
