By: Jorge Castillo, ESPN Staff Writer
Published on Oct 29, 2024, at 03:11 AM ET
As one of the most storied franchises in baseball history, the New York Yankees are faced with a monumental task if they hope to secure their 28th World Series title and their first since 2009. The road ahead is steep and filled with historical challenges.
No team has successfully rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to capture the World Series crown. In all of MLB postseason history, only one team—the Boston Red Sox—has achieved such a comeback in any playoff series against the Yankees two decades ago. Unfortunately for New York, after losing Game 3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 4-2 at Yankee Stadium on Monday night, they find themselves in this very precarious situation. Their journey to make history begins anew with Game 4 on Tuesday.
Focus Amid Adversity
“Our priority right now is focusing on getting that next game,” said Boone. “Let’s aim to become an incredible story and turn heads.”
Offensive Struggles Plaguing the Yankees
The inconsistency of New York’s offense has been startling thus far in this championship series. Despite being leaders in runs scored during the regular season within their league, they’ve managed just seven runs across three games. Their batting average with runners in scoring position stands at a disappointing .200 (4-for-20), while leaving an alarming total of 25 runners stranded on base throughout these contests. Although they have nearly matched hits with the Dodgers—recording just one less—they have struck out significantly more times (31 versus Los Angeles’ tally of 17).
The Weight on Aaron Judge’s Shoulders
“One swing could change everything,” remarked center fielder Aaron Judge regarding his team’s potential turnaround. “It only takes that single moment—a play or an opportunity—for things to shift.”
However, among those contributing most directly to these struggles is Judge himself—not as singular culpability but as part of a larger picture affecting performance overall. Following what seemed like an otherworldly summer where he appeared poised for unanimous AL MVP accolades, his performance has continued into this vital stretch less than stellar; after going hitless with both a walk and strikeout during Game 3 he now sits at just one hit over twelve plate appearances throughout this World Series contest—the statistics revealing seven strikeouts combined across all postseason engagements add further weight towards feelings of disappointment.
Pitching Challenges Add Pressure
The overarching frustration also stems from pitching difficulties: Nestor Cortes hasn’t led since allowing Freddie Freeman’s game-defining grand slam back in Game One while additional obstacles arose when Clarke Schmidt issued four straight balls walking Shohei Ohtani—just two days post-injury—and succumbing quickly thereafter by yielding Freeman another homer via poor pitch placement moments later.
Glimmers Amongst Setbacks
While Verdugo salvaged some hope for fan morale late-game through delivering two runs via solo home run amidst dwindling attendance within stadium walls dominated by palpable tension as missteps ensued elsewhere including what some deemed questionable sends looped continually through media outrage following Stanton getting tagged out trying home post double down the left line despite Giancarlo posting admirable numbers securing two hits over four attempts throughout; pressuring six separate Dodger relievers whose efficiency up until then remained largely unquestioned tended toward created suspense late but ultimately fell short against unyielding bullpen capable keeping dominant control over innings flow as perceived support dwindled steadily away long before final score was ever fully realized.
If there exist any positives emerging following disappointing results thus far it shall ring clearer than clarion call shown right before scheduled matchup leading towards eventual showdown against rookie hurler Luis Gil slated directly needing room provided tight early place amongst necessary adjustments anticipated immediately required aid preserving sanity well past disadvantageous outcomes endured previously regardless kept mindset intact seeking success shifting theirs into newfound realms providing skills critical exhibited enough fight strong parallel occurring amid transformation remarkably offset everyone’s expectations purposed driving forth enduring recovery necessary here moving forward:
“We’re aware how improbable things appear,” shared player confidence statement collectively radiating undeniable optimism shining even brighter later ascending amid darkness bound likely creeping frontiers lingering large”,”Cortes proclaimed finally adding weight engine engines turning facilitated spirited outcomes awaited within hearts yearning rekindling open-faced smiles aligned tightly maintaining resilience firm displayed too widely often sought beyond barriers previously feared fading away altogether leaving behind full redemption potential henceforth.”