Walker Buehler's vintage performance propels the Dodgers to a 3-0 lead in the World Series.

 NEW YORK — Walker Buehler spent the year grappling with doubts about his ability to return to his dominant form, characterized by an overpowering fastball and unwavering confidence. As he stepped onto the mound for Game 3 of the World Series, he had transformed from a state of uncertainty to one of acceptance and survival over the past six months. If he was to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a fighting chance in this crucial game, Buehler knew he would have to adapt his game every time he took the field in October.

Then, in what could be his final appearance as a Dodger, the familiar Buehler reemerged.

Facing a boisterous crowd at Yankee Stadium and a formidable New York Yankees lineup, Buehler delivered five scoreless innings, showcasing a revitalized fastball in a crucial 4-2 victory. The Dodgers now hold a commanding 3-0 lead in the World Series, standing just one win away from their first championship in four years and their first full-season title since 1988. Buehler’s resurgence came at just the right moment to propel them forward.

"There are a lot of questions about him," said Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts. "But when those lights turn on, this is the real Walker Buehler."

Freddie Freeman, looking healthier than he has all month, provided the Dodgers with an immediate two-run lead with a homer in the first inning, his third in a span of six at-bats. Betts continued his impressive October by driving in a run in the third inning after a nine-pitch at-bat, and he also made a remarkable catch in the fourth. Overall, the Dodgers displayed solid defense and efficient offense.

However, it was Buehler who set the tone, allowing only four baserunners—two hits and two walks—while striking out five. His performance was unexpected yet reminiscent of his past postseason success. Buehler previously threw seven scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series and delivered six innings of one-run ball against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the 2020 World Series. With a 0.50 ERA, he boasts one of the lowest figures for a pitcher’s first three World Series starts since earned runs became an official statistic in 1913.

"As brutal as it may be to say, it takes that adrenaline to really get me going mentally," Buehler acknowledged. "I wish I would have felt that all year. I could tell you I’m excited to pitch every game, but there’s something different in the playoffs."

Buehler, who is set to become a free agent, generated six swing-and-misses with his fastball, his highest tally since 2021. That year, he finished fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting, boasting a 16-4 record and a 2.47 ERA. Now 27, he was considered one of baseball’s elite pitchers before a challenging 2022 season marred by injury.

His regular-season performance was inconsistent, posting a 5.84 ERA in his first eight starts and a 4.93 ERA in his last eight. A hip injury forced him onto the injured list, leading to a stint at a private performance facility in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, in an effort to rediscover his form.

Buehler's inclusion in the Dodgers’ postseason rotation stemmed from injuries that sidelined key pitchers like Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Gavin Stone. Yet October has revealed a different side of him. In the National League Division Series, despite a rough second inning, he pitched three scoreless frames to conserve the bullpen. In the NL Championship Series, he effectively utilized his curveball to escape jams against the New York Mets. By Game 3 of the World Series, his fastball had returned, along with his overall confidence.

"I thought his stuff was as good as it's been all year," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "The fastball had life, and he kept them at bay."

Buehler found comfort in pitching from the stretch, a technique that, while more physically demanding, helped maintain his mechanics and disrupt opposing hitters’ timing. He opened Game 3 with a leadoff walk but quickly found his rhythm, retiring Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Giancarlo Stanton in order. He even struck out four consecutive batters using four different pitches—a fastball, curveball, sweeper, and sinker. Although the Yankees threatened with a Stanton double and an Anthony Volpe single in the fourth, Teoscar Hernandez threw Stanton out at home to end the inning. Buehler then wrapped up his outing by navigating through the bottom of the order in the fifth before handing the ball over to the Dodgers’ bullpen.

The Dodgers’ starting pitching has been a primary concern throughout the playoffs, yet Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Buehler have combined for a remarkable 1.62 ERA, effectively neutralizing the Yankees’ powerful lineup and positioning L.A. one win away from their first championship since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Buehler’s past playoff performances include crucial victories in 2020, and he appears to have rediscovered his form at the most critical moment.

As Buehler stated, "It makes the regular season worth it for me."

Yankees Struggle in World Series Game 3 Loss

NEW YORK — For the New York Yankees, the franchise with the most storied history in baseball, winning their 28th World Series and their first since 2009 requires a monumental comeback.

No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the World Series, and only the Boston Red Sox have managed to achieve such a feat in a postseason series. Yet, after falling 4-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3, the Yankees find themselves in a challenging position, with their offense largely absent on this grand stage. The road to a historic comeback begins with Game 4 on Tuesday.

"We're just focused on winning a game tomorrow," manager Aaron Boone said. "That's where our attention is. Hopefully, we can create an incredible story and shock the world."

What’s been shocking about this World Series is the Yankees' offensive struggles. Despite leading the American League in runs scored during the regular season, they have managed just seven runs over three games, hitting only 4-for-20 with runners in scoring position and leaving 25 runners stranded on base. Their offensive output has resulted in 31 strikeouts compared to the Dodgers' 17.

"All it takes is one," said Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge. "One swing, one at-bat, one play can change everything. That’s the mindset we need to have."

At the forefront of the struggles is Judge himself. Expected to win the AL MVP unanimously, he has struggled in the postseason, going 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts in the World Series and just 6-for-43 with 20 strikeouts in 12 playoff games.

"Yeah, I feel like I'm letting the team down," Judge admitted. "You want to get those hits and do your job, but right now, I’m not performing the way I need to."

The Yankees have found themselves in early holes throughout the series, struggling to mount comebacks after allowing runs early in the games. Their deficit in Game 3 began with Clarke Schmidt walking Shohei Ohtani on four pitches to start the inning. Freeman followed with a two-run homer that set the tone for the Dodgers.

In the ninth inning, Verdugo provided the Yankees’ only runs with a two-run shot, while Giancarlo Stanton had a productive day with a double, but the rest of the team managed only three hits against Buehler, who was dominant throughout his five innings.

"The only positive is we got to see six Dodgers relievers before our bullpen game on Wednesday," Verdugo noted. "Hopefully that will lead to some production."

The Yankees face daunting odds as history is not on their side. The past nine teams to take a 3-0 lead in the World Series have completed the sweep. The last team to extend the series after trailing 3-0 was the 1970 Cincinnati Reds.

"We’re not going to lay down tomorrow," first baseman Anthony Rizzo asserted.

This World Series has been highly anticipated, featuring baseball’s two most iconic franchises facing off after a lengthy hiatus. However, the Yankees must find a way to break through offensively to avoid a quick exit from the series. With their season on the line, they will hand the ball to rookie Luis Gil and hope for an early lead to ignite a comeback.

"We know the odds are against us," Nestor Cortes said, "but this team is resilient. If there's any team that can pull it off, it’s us."