After two nail-biting losses in Los Angeles, the Yankees return home trailing 2-0 in a World Series showdown against the Dodgers. Both games provided the Hollywood drama expected from this storied rivalry, but they ultimately ended in heartache for the Yankees. Game 1 saw a walk-off grand slam from Freddie Freeman, marking a brutal close to an intense extra-innings battle. Game 2 wasn’t much easier, as Yankees bats struggled against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and despite a late rally, they couldn’t overcome a 4-2 deficit. Yet, despite the setbacks, the Yankees are far from out of this series. Heading back to Yankee Stadium offers them a renewed chance to shift the momentum. Here’s a breakdown of what they’ll need to do to turn this series around.
Improve Plate Discipline Against Dodgers’ Elite Pitching
In Game 2, Aaron Judge’s post-game comments reflected a recurring theme: expanding the zone and missing quality pitches. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, and the rest of the Yankees’ lineup struggled to adjust to the Dodgers’ varied arsenal. Yamamoto effectively mixed his pitches, leaving the Yankees chasing outside the zone and failing to capitalize on opportunities. To turn things around, hitters like Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Juan Soto will need to refine their pitch selection and work deep counts to draw walks, increase pitch counts, and capitalize on Dodgers’ mistakes.
Strengthen Starting Pitching Performance
The Yankees need their starters to match the high bar set by the Dodgers. Game 1 was a heartbreaking ending for Nestor Cortes, who stepped in during extra innings and saw his first pitch crushed by Freeman. In Game 2, Carlos Rodón allowed three home runs, which significantly set back the Yankees’ hopes. Heading into Game 3, Clarke Schmidt is expected to start, and he’ll need to give New York a steady and efficient outing. If he can keep hitters like Freeman and Mookie Betts off balance, Schmidt can help the Yankees stay competitive and avoid exhausting their bullpen early in the game.
Leverage the Bronx Crowd and Home Field Advantage
Returning to Yankee Stadium should provide the team with a much-needed energy boost. Yankees fans are famous for their intensity, and a loud, supportive home crowd could give the players the morale to bounce back. Dodgers’ starting pitcher Walker Buehler has struggled with consistency, particularly in Game 3 appearances this postseason, and the Yankees could exploit any early jitters he shows. Home runs and timely hits can turn the momentum in New York’s favor, especially in front of a hometown crowd hungry for a win.
Aggressive Baserunning to Capitalize on Scoring Opportunities
Jazz Chisholm’s baserunning spark in Game 1 was a high point for the Yankees. His aggressive approach forced the Dodgers into mistakes and led to key runs. Going forward, players like Chisholm, Anthony Volpe, and Harrison Bader should continue to put pressure on Dodgers pitchers and catchers with stolen bases and well-timed advances. By creating scoring opportunities through aggressive baserunning, they can give themselves additional chances to score against a challenging Dodgers bullpen.
Contain Dodgers’ Sluggers: Freeman and Edman
Freeman has been the Yankees’ kryptonite so far, with a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 and another crucial home run in Game 2. Tommy Edman also delivered with a home run that set the tone for Game 2. Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone may consider strategically pitching around Freeman in crucial moments or using defensive shifts to limit his impact. Relievers will need to execute carefully to keep Los Angeles’ sluggers at bay, especially in high-leverage situations.
The Yankees face an uphill battle, but it’s a long series with opportunities yet to be seized. Adjustments in plate discipline, pitching, and a renewed focus on capitalizing at Yankee Stadium could give them a fighting chance. As Boone said, “We won’t flinch.” The Yankees have shown their ability to overcome challenges this season, and with the stakes higher than ever, they’ll look to rally in the Bronx and keep their championship dreams alive.
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