The New York Yankees suffered a crushing 4-2 defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium Sunday night, pushing them to the edge of elimination. The loss marks a concerning turn for the Bronx Bombers in their first World Series appearance since 2009.
Team captain Aaron Judge, a frontrunner for American League MVP, continued his postseason slump going 0-for-3 with one walk. His playoff performance has raised alarms as the Yankees face a potential sweep.
The numbers tell a stark story. Judge’s postseason stats have plummeted to a .140 batting average with a .278 on-base percentage and .302 slugging percentage. In 54 plate appearances, he has managed only three extra-base hits including two home runs while accumulating 20 strikeouts.
Since Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, Judge has struck out 14 times in 25 at-bats. The Game 3 World Series matchup marked his first game without multiple strikeouts since facing the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of the ALCS.
The offensive struggles extend beyond Judge. The Yankees lineup has posted a collective .186 batting average with a .284 on-base percentage and .294 slugging percentage. The team has racked up 31 strikeouts in 102 at-bats during the series.
Pitching challenges compound the situation. Yankees starters Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt have combined for just six innings in the past two games, matching ace Gerrit Cole’s Game 1 performance. Only Giancarlo Stanton has recorded multiple extra-base hits in the series.
The bullpen provides a rare bright spot, allowing just one run in 11 innings since Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1. Their performance keeps hope alive as the Yankees face elimination.
The Bronx faithful showed their loyalty before Game 3, rising to their feet for Judge’s first plate appearance. The moment highlighted the deep connection between the franchise player and fans expecting championship results.
Game 4 looms Tuesday at 8:08 p.m. ET with historical implications. The Yankees haven’t been swept in a World Series since 1976 against the Cincinnati Reds. Now they face the monumental task of becoming just the second team in MLB history to overcome a 0-3 World Series deficit.
The pressure intensifies for Judge and the Yankees to prevent their dream season from ending in nightmare fashion. With both their captain and lineup searching for answers, Game 4 represents more than just survival – it’s about preserving their legacy in baseball’s most storied franchise.
