This Thursday brings a doubleheader of playoff baseball action! First up is Game 3 of the ALCS in Cleveland, where the Guardians, down 0-2, return home to face the Yankees. Can they secure their first win of the series?
Meanwhile, in Queens, the Mets and Dodgers are set for Game 4. After a dominant Game 3 victory, can the Dodgers position themselves just one win away from a National League pennant? Let’s dive into these pivotal matchups.
Dodgers Dominate in Game 3, Taking Commanding Series Lead
The Dodgers continued their dominant postseason run with an 8-0 shutout victory over the Mets in Game 3. The win puts them one victory away from clinching the National League Championship Series.
Mookie Betts celebrates after hitting a home run
The Dodgers’ offense was firing on all cylinders, with Max Muncy and James Outman each hitting home runs. Outman’s three-run blast in the seventh inning blew the game open, giving the Dodgers a comfortable 7-0 lead.
The Dodgers’ pitching was equally impressive, with starter Tony Gonsolin pitching six scoreless innings. He allowed just two hits and struck out six batters, effectively silencing the Mets’ bats.
Yankees Look to Maintain Momentum in Cleveland
The Yankees head to Cleveland with a 2-0 series lead over the Guardians in the ALCS. They’ll look to continue their winning ways in Game 3 and move one step closer to the World Series.
The Yankees’ offense has been clicking on all cylinders, led by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Judge has been particularly impressive, hitting two home runs in the series so far.
Aaron Judge celebrates after hitting a home run
On the mound, the Yankees will look to continue their strong pitching performances. Gerrit Cole is expected to start Game 3 for the Yankees.
The Guardians, on the other hand, will need to find a way to generate some offense if they want to get back into the series. They’ve been shut down by the Yankees’ pitching staff so far, and they’ll need to find a way to get to Cole early in Game 3.
Key Matchups to Watch
As the series shift to Cleveland and Queens, here are some key matchups to keep an eye on:
Guardians’ Offense vs. Gerrit Cole: The Guardians have struggled to score runs against the Yankees’ pitching, and they’ll face a tough task against Cole in Game 3. Cole has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, and he’ll be looking to shut down the Guardians’ bats.
Mets’ Pitching vs. Dodgers’ Lineup: The Dodgers have a deep and powerful lineup, and they’ve been hitting the ball well in the postseason. The Mets will need their pitching staff to step up and keep the Dodgers’ bats in check if they want to even up the series.
What’s Next?
The ALCS and NLCS continue on Thursday with pivotal Game 3 matchups. The Yankees will look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Guardians, while the Mets will try to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole against the Dodgers. Be sure to tune in for what promises to be another exciting night of playoff baseball!
