The New York Yankees are dangerously close to a heart-shattering World Series exit as Los Angeles Dodgers pounced on the home field advantage to take an early 2-0 lead in the seven-game series. After Freeman’s walk-off grand slam, Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a sensational start to pull a 4-2 win for LA.
With that, the World Series action shifts to Bronx. Game 3 will be played at the Yankee Stadium surrounded by thousands of Yankee fans which might play into the New York Yankees advantage. However, more than anything, the team needs their batters, especially captain Aaron Judge to step up.
Yankees Hitters Under Pressure Ahead Of Game 3
As the New York Yankees return home down 2-0 in the World Series, the pressure to hit, and hit well, is squarely on Aaron Judge and the rest of New York’s lineup. After two close losses to the Dodgers in Los Angeles, New York has struggled offensively, managing just five runs in 19 innings. Notably, Dodger stars Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani have dominated the series so far, and with Freeman homering in both games, L.A. seems poised to continue their run. Ohtani, who partially dislocated his shoulder in Game 2, is expected to be back in the lineup for Game 3, pending a successful workout at Yankee Stadium. However, slugger Juan Soto expressed optimism despite the slump.
“We know how [to take] a couple of punches in the face and just keep battling and keep going. We can go home and do our thing,” Soto said. Besides, the return to the Bronx brings a hopeful energy to New York. First baseman Anthony Rizzo believes in the power of a lively Yankee Stadium crowd. “The Bronx is a special place. When that stadium is rocking, we feel it,” Rizzo said. Indeed, he and his teammates know that a fired-up home crowd can put extra pressure on the Dodgers. That being said, historically, both the New York Yankees and LA Dodgers have overcome early World Series deficits in past matchups, making this a series with rich potential for comebacks. With a tough Dodgers lineup to face, the Yankees must find their rhythm offensively and capitalize on their home-field advantage to swing the momentum back in their favor before it’s too late.
Aaron Judge Admits Failing As World Series Pressure Piles Up
Aaron Judge’s performance in the World Series has raised eyebrows among Yankees fans, as the star slugger has struggled to find his rhythm in high-pressure moments. After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Game 2, Judge admitted, “I’m failing,” and took full accountability for his underwhelming display.
During the first two games of the series, Judge’s chase rate has notably increased. This lapse in mechanics has led to a surprising strikeout count, with six strikeouts in nine at-bats. However, despite the setback, Judge remains committed to refining his approach. “I definitely got to step up and do my job,” he asserted, showing his determination to adapt in the Bronx.
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