The energy was different. You could feel it through the screen. When the Dodgers and Yankees met for Game 3 of the 2024 World Series, the narrative wasn't just about a number on a scoreboard. It was about a suffocating defensive masterclass. The score of World Series Game 3 ended in a 4-2 victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a result that effectively pushed the New York Yankees to the brink of elimination and silenced a Bronx crowd that had been waiting fifteen years for a Fall Classic home game.
It wasn't a blowout. Not by a long shot. But it felt inevitable.
Walker Buehler was the story. Honestly, nobody knew exactly which version of Buehler would show up given his rocky road back from surgery, but he was electric. He tossed five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits. He didn't just pitch; he dissected a lineup featuring Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. The Yankees looked lost. They looked frozen. While the 4-2 final might suggest a close contest, the Dodgers held a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Yankees didn't even manage a hit until the fourth inning. It was a clinic.
Breaking Down the Score of World Series Game 3
Freddie Freeman is inevitable. That’s the only way to describe it. After his historic walk-off grand slam in Game 1, he didn't wait around in Game 2 or 3 to make his mark. In the very first inning of Game 3, Freeman took Clarke Schmidt deep for a two-run homer. Boom. 2-0 Dodgers. The air went out of Yankee Stadium faster than a popped balloon.
It stayed that way for a while. Mookie Betts added an RBI single in the fourth, and Kike Hernandez drove in another in the sixth.
The Dodgers played "small ball" and "power ball" simultaneously. By the time the game reached the late innings, the score of World Series Game 3 reflected a team that was simply more disciplined at the plate and more aggressive on the basepaths. The Yankees, meanwhile, stranded runners and struggled with a mounting strikeout count. Aaron Judge’s postseason struggles became the focal point of every broadcast camera, his 0-for-3 night with a walk only adding to the local frustration.
👉 See also: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
The Ninth Inning "Almost" Rally
Baseball is a weird game. You can be dominated for eight innings and suddenly, the universe shifts.
The Yankees were down to their final two outs in the ninth when Alex Verdugo hit a two-run home run off Michael Kopech. Suddenly, it’s 4-2. The fans who hadn't already clogged the subways started screaming. The "Bronx Cheer" turned into a roar. For a fleeting moment, it looked like the Yankees might pull off the impossible. But the Dodgers bullpen, which has been their secret weapon all season, didn't blink. Kopech settled down, got the final out, and secured the 3-0 series lead.
Historically, no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the World Series. The 2004 Red Sox did it in the ALCS, sure, but the World Series is a different animal. This win was a statement.
The Strategy Behind the Box Score
If you just look at the hits—five for the Dodgers and five for the Yankees—you’d think the game was an even split. It wasn't. The Dodgers' hits were timely. The Yankees' hits were scattered or came when the leverage was low.
Dave Roberts managed this game like a chess grandmaster. He knew Buehler had found his rhythm, but he didn't push him too far. He leaned on his high-leverage arms—Brusdar Graterol, Alex Vesia, Daniel Hudson—to bridge the gap to the ninth. The Yankees’ starter, Clarke Schmidt, wasn't terrible, but he lacked the "swing-and-miss" stuff needed to navigate a lineup as deep as LA's.
✨ Don't miss: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
Then there’s the defense. Tommy Edman, the mid-season acquisition who turned into an October hero, seemed to be everywhere. He’s basically a vacuum at shortstop. Whether it was a sharp grounder or a shallow pop fly, the Dodgers played error-free baseball. You can't win a World Series giving away extra outs, and the Yankees learned that the hard way.
Pitching Matchups That Defined the Night
- Walker Buehler: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. Pure dominance.
- Clarke Schmidt: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 3 K. He struggled with command early, and against the Dodgers, that's a death sentence.
- The Bullpen Battle: The Dodgers used six pitchers to keep the Yankees off balance. The Yankees used seven to try and keep the game within reach.
Why This Game Changed Everything
Coming into the night, the Yankees had hope. They were back home. They had the "Bleacher Creatures." They had the short porch in right field. But the score of World Series Game 3 proved that momentum is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher.
There’s a nuance to this Dodger team that people sometimes miss because of their massive payroll. Yes, they have superstars. But they also have a gritty, "next man up" mentality. Shohei Ohtani was playing with a partially dislocated shoulder. He wasn't 100%. He went 0-for-3 with a walk and was clearly in pain every time he swung. Yet, his presence in the leadoff spot forced Schmidt to pitch carefully, leading to walks and stress.
The Yankees, conversely, felt top-heavy. When Judge and Stanton aren't driving the ball into the seats, the bottom of the order feels significantly less threatening. Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto reached base, but there was nobody to bring them home until it was essentially too late.
Historical Context of the 3-0 Lead
Let's talk about the 3-0 lead. In the history of best-of-seven MLB series, teams leading 3-0 have gone on to win the series 39 out of 40 times. The only exception is the aforementioned 2004 Red Sox. For the Yankees, this wasn't just a loss; it was a statistical graveyard. The Dodgers didn't just win a game; they took the spirit out of the building.
🔗 Read more: Heisman Trophy Nominees 2024: The Year the System Almost Broke
People often ask if the travel from LA to New York mattered. Maybe. But both teams had the same cross-country flight. The difference was execution. The Dodgers look like a team that has been here before, even with a roster full of new faces. They aren't chasing pitches. They aren't pressing.
What to Watch for After Game 3
The dust has settled on the score of World Series Game 3, but the fallout is massive. The Yankees now face the impossible task of winning four straight games against a team that looks nearly invincible.
If you're looking at the betting lines or just trying to understand the vibe for the rest of the series, keep an eye on the Yankee lineup changes. Aaron Boone is under a microscope. Does he move Judge down? Does he shake up the bottom of the order? Probably not. You dance with the ones who brought you, but those dancers are starting to look tired.
For the Dodgers, it’s about health. Keeping Ohtani functional and ensuring the bullpen doesn't get overtaxed are the only priorities. They are playing with house money now.
Critical Takeaways for Fans
- Freddie Freeman's Legacy: He is currently the frontrunner for World Series MVP. His ability to drive in runs in the first inning changes the entire tactical approach for both managers.
- The Power of the Walk: The Dodgers drew six walks in Game 3. They force pitchers to work, run up pitch counts, and get into the soft underbelly of the bullpen early.
- Home Field Advantage? Yankee Stadium was loud, but it wasn't enough to overcome poor situational hitting. The "mystique" of the Bronx didn't show up.
The final score of World Series Game 3—4 to 2—is now etched into the record books. It serves as a reminder that in October, pitching and defense usually beat raw power. The Dodgers are one win away from a parade in Los Angeles, while the Yankees are left wondering what happened to the offense that carried them through the ALCS.
To track how the momentum continues, monitor the pitch usage of the Dodgers' secondary relievers and watch Aaron Judge's bat speed in his first two at-bats of the next game. If he’s still late on the fastball, the series is likely over. Yankees fans should look for a more aggressive approach against the Dodgers' "opener" strategies if they want to avoid a sweep. Check the official MLB box scores for updated player health statuses, particularly Shohei Ohtani's shoulder, as it will dictate how the Dodgers structure their lineup for the clinching game.