MLB Lines: World Series Game 3

Share News

MLB Lines: World Series Game 3

Game 3 of the World Series moves to the Bronx as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the New York Yankees on Monday night. 

The Dodgers hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series after winning the first two games at home. Now, the Yankees will look to use their home-field advantage, with Games 3, 4, and 5 all set at Yankee Stadium. Walker Buehler (5.38 ERA) will start for the Dodgers, while Clarke Schmidt (2.85 ERA) takes the mound for New York. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 EST.

BUSR MLB Lines

Dodgers Take Commanding Lead

The Dodgers executed their plan perfectly, winning both home games to take a commanding lead in the series. With the 2-3-2 format, holding serve at home is crucial, as it now puts the pressure on the Yankees to defend their own field in the next three games. 

Los Angeles won Game 1 in dramatic fashion, with Freddie Freeman hitting a walk-off grand slam to secure a 6-3 victory in the 10th inning. In Game 2, the Dodgers took a 4-2 win, highlighted by another Freeman homer and a strong six-inning performance from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who allowed just one hit – a solo shot by Juan Soto.

Freddie Freeman has emerged as the early favorite for World Series MVP. Freeman’s performance in the first two games has been exceptional, with two home runs, a triple, and five RBIs. Although he’s been dealing with an ankle issue, Freeman has shown no signs of slowing down. 

Shohei Ohtani has contributed as well, despite not recording any RBIs. Ohtani suffered a minor shoulder injury while sliding into second base in Game 2, but manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about his status, stating, “The strength was great. The range of motion good. So we’re encouraged.”

The Dodgers’ lineup has been potent, with Tommy Edman delivering four hits, including a home run, while Teoscar Hernández and Mookie Betts have each contributed RBIs in the series. Walker Buehler will take the mound for Game 3 as the Dodgers rely on a shortened three-man rotation due to injuries in their pitching staff. 

Buehler had a tough regular season, ending with a 5.38 ERA, and his postseason ERA stands at 6.00. He was hit hard by the Padres, giving up six runs in five innings, but rebounded with a four-inning, scoreless outing against the Mets.

Yankees Facing a Must-Win

The Yankees find themselves in a critical situation, down 2-0 and needing a win to keep their World Series hopes alive. Teams have come back from a 2-0 deficit before, but the Yankees will need production from their top players to turn the series around. 

Aaron Judge, who led the league in home runs and RBIs, has struggled, going just 1-for-9 with six strikeouts in the first two games. The Yankees were in a strong position in Game 1, holding a 3-2 lead in the 10th inning before Freeman’s walk-off grand slam. Both Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton have homered in the series, but those efforts have not been enough to deliver a win.

Despite Judge’s struggles, there are no expected changes to the Yankees lineup, which features Gleyber Torres, Soto, Judge, and Stanton in the top four spots. Judge’s slow start may seem concerning, but the Yankees have shown resilience, and his power could be reactivated against Buehler, who has been inconsistent this postseason. 

Torres has done his job at the top of the lineup, getting on base to set up the power hitters. Soto and Stanton, who each hit a home run in the first two games, could make a difference if they remain consistent. Jazz Chisholm Jr., a mid-season trade acquisition from the Marlins, has also contributed with three hits in his first postseason experience.

Clarke Schmidt will start Game 3 for New York. The right-hander had a strong regular season, posting a 2.85 ERA and a 5-5 record. In the postseason, Schmidt has maintained a 3.86 ERA, allowing just two earned runs in each of his two starts, both lasting 4.2 innings. His only postseason home run allowed came against Cleveland, but he has otherwise been reliable, providing stability on the mound.

Prediction

The Yankees return home in desperate need of a win and have the advantage of a supportive crowd at Yankee Stadium. Both games in Los Angeles were close, with the Yankees losing Game 1 in extra innings and Game 2 by just two runs. 

The Dodgers are sending Buehler to the mound, who has struggled with a 5.38 ERA in the regular season and a 6.00 ERA in the playoffs. While Buehler pitched well against the Mets, his outing against the Padres exposed his vulnerability, giving the Yankees a prime opportunity to capitalize.

Schmidt, who had a 2.85 ERA in the regular season, has proven reliable in the playoffs and has yet to allow more than two runs in a start. If Judge finds his rhythm against Buehler, the Yankees’ offense could generate the runs needed to secure their first win in the series. Soto and Stanton should continue contributing, giving New York a well-rounded attack.

With Schmidt’s steadiness and the Dodgers’ reliance on a struggling Buehler, the Yankees are set up to take Game 3 at home. Expect New York to cover the runline.

Prediction: Yankees -1.5 (+135)