When you have a chance to close out a series you do it. Unfortunately the Dodgers could not do that in game four of the World Series on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. They allowed the Yankees life in a depressing 11—4 drubbing. The game was actually close and winnable for the Dodgers as they were trying to clinch their eighth World Series championship in franchise history. That is until the Yankees scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth to put the game out of reach.
The Dodgers didn’t have a starting pitcher so their plan was to use a bullpen game without using any of their high leverage arms. Ben Casparius opened the game (he pitched two innings) and the Dodgers went to Landon Knack and Brent Honeywell Jr. In between Casparius and Knack Daniel Hudson pitched the third inning and was not able to get out unscathed. The Dodgers decided to not bring in anyone else despite the game being winnable until the Yankees scored five runs in the eighth. The Dodgers have done this for most of the year, saving guys for the next game, but in the process giving up winnable games.
The game started off well with Freddie Freeman launching a two-run home run in the top of the first against opposing starter Luis Gil to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. Freddie has now homered in every game of the series and set a new MLB record with a home run in his sixth consecutive World Series game. He’s now driven in ten of the Dodger’s eighteen runs this series and is a lock for World Series MVP. Gil gave the Yankees what they needed most, a starting pitcher who didn’t walk the world. Gil pitched four innings and while he allowed four earned runs, he only walked two.
FREDDIE FREEMAN CAN’T STOP! #WORLDSERIES pic.twitter.com/OU91JMycyx
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 30, 2024
“No, I don’t think I will.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/HdUmsfrAVJ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 30, 2024
Meanwhile the big blow for the Yankees came in the third off of Hudson when Anthony Volpe hit a grand slam home run that put the Yanks up 5-2. The Dodgers battled back to score two more in the top of the fifth. Will Smith led off the frame with a solo home run to cut the New York lead to 5-3. The Dodgers scored one more when Tommy Edman walked, Shohei Ohtani singled and one out later Freeman legged out a fielder’s choice, beating a potential double play ball to score Edman and the Dodgers were only down by one run 5-4. Freddie has a bionic bat and leg.
The bats went to sleep the rest of the game. The Dodgers only had one base runner after the fourth inning. On the other side, Landon Knack gave up a solo home run to Yankee’s catcher Austin Wells which made it a 6-4 game. Wells is the worst hitter on the Yankee’s roster and was hitting like .150. Perfect. The score remained 6-4 until Honeywell melted down in the eighth. Gleyber Torres hit a three-run home run in that inning to help solidify Dave Robert’s decision to give up. I understand wanting to save all the best arms for game 5, but Hudson should not have been allowed to stay in during that third inning when it was clear he didn’t have it. I find it hard to believe that nobody could have come in and pitched an inning.
Will Smith goes oppo! #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/oXzjVbk4vU
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 30, 2024
The Yankees are just the fourth team in MLB history to force a game 5 after being down 3-0 in the World Series, and no team has ever forced a game 6. Sweeping in the World Series is incredibly difficult, but this was frustrating considering everyone was ready to pop the corks and celebrate. Are you worried? The Dodgers will get another chance to clinch the title again on Wednesday night. Jack Flaherty takes the mound for the Dodgers while the Yankees will send Gerrit Cole to the bump. Please close this out tomorrow Dodgers.
It was daves fault. Even. Regular player could of pitched better than they did