Freeman opens up World Series Game 3 with 2-run homer

NEW YORK (KABC) — The Dodgers are looking to make it three in a row in the World Series Monday night.

But Freddie Freeman has already accomplished his own version of three in a row. The Dodgers first baseman has now hit three home runs in three consecutive World Series games against the Yankees.

The first was the historic blast that took Game 1 in the 10th inning, the first time a World Series game has been won with a grand slam. The second was a solo shot in Game 2 to put the Dodgers up 4-1 by the third inning.

Monday, Freeman opened up Game 3 with another big at-bat, sending a shot 355 feet into right field and bringing Shohei Ohtani home to make it 2-0 in the first inning.

He’s now brought in seven runs in three games.

Dating back to his time in the 2021 World Series with the Braves, Freeman has now hit home runs in five consecutive championship games. Only one other player, George Springer, has accomplished that, according to MLB.

He also has tied a record for homering in the first three games of a World Series. The feat has also been accomplished by the Giants’ Barry Bonds in 2002 and the Yankees’ Hank Bauer in 1958.

In the third, Mookie Betts dropped a single to right field, sending Tommy Edman home from second.

A short time later, starter Clarke Schmidt walked Max Muncy to load the bases, and was pulled after having pitched just three and two-thirds innings.

With a full count, Will Smith tapped one straight to reliever Mark Leiter Jr. at the mound to end the third with three stranded.

In the sixth, a Kiké Hernández single to center sent Gavin Lux home – after he walked and stole second – to make it 4-0.

Preview of Monday’s World Series Game 3 Dodgers vs. Yankees

It’s a good day to be a Dodgers fan. Two games into the 2024 World Series, and the team is just two wins away from a title.

After the Dodgers edged the New York Yankees in an unbelievable opener on Friday, they picked up where they left off in a 4-2 Game 2 victory.

The good news is Shohei Ohtani is set to play Monday night despite a partially dislocated left shoulder. He hurt sliding into second base when he was caught stealing to end the seventh inning of Saturday night victory.

What time is the game?

Game 3 is set for Monday at 5:08 p.m. in New York.

READ MORE: Here is 2024 World Series Dodgers vs. Yankees schedule and how to watch

Pitching probables

Dodgers: Walker Buehler (1-6, 5.38 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 64 strikeouts); Yankees: Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 2.85 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 93 strikeouts)

Bottom line

New York is 94-68 overall and 44-37 at home. Yankees hitters are batting a collective .248, the eighth-best team batting average in MLB play.

Los Angeles is 46-35 on the road and 98-64 overall. The Dodgers have a 66-12 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.

Top performers

Juan Soto has 31 doubles, four triples, 41 home runs and 109 RBI while hitting .288 for the Yankees. Gleyber Torres is 12-for-42 with three doubles over the past 10 games.

Shohei Ohtani leads the Dodgers with a .310 batting average, and has 38 doubles, seven triples, 54 home runs, 81 walks and 130 RBI. Tommy Edman is 16-for-42 with two home runs and 13 RBI over the past 10 games.

Last 10 games

Yankees: 6-4, .225 batting average, 3.58 ERA, outscored opponents by five runs

Dodgers: 8-2, .257 batting average, 3.10 ERA, outscored opponents by 35 runs

Injuries

Yankees: DJ LeMahieu: 10-Day IL (hip), Jonathan Loaisiga: 60-Day IL (elbow), JT Brubaker: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lou Trivino: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani: day-to-day (shoulder), Gavin Stone: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler Glasnow: 60-Day IL (elbow), Clayton Kershaw: 15-Day IL (toe), River Ryan: 60-Day IL (forearm), Dustin May: 60-Day IL (elbow/esophagus), Connor Brogdon: 60-Day IL (foot), Emmet Sheehan: 60-Day IL (forearm), Tony Gonsolin: 60-Day IL (elbow)

The Associated Press contributed to this report.