Dodgers Extend World Series Lead, Freeman Homers Again
The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their dominant run in the World Series, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 in Game 3 to take a 3-0 series lead. The win marks the second consecutive game where the Dodgers have relied on timely hitting and strong pitching to keep the Phillies at bay.
Leading the charge for the Dodgers was once again their veteran first baseman, Freddie Freeman. Freeman launched his second home run of the series in the third inning, a two-run shot that extended the Dodgers' lead to 3-0. He also added an RBI single in the fifth inning, demonstrating his consistent offensive prowess.
"It's great to see Freddie swinging well," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "He's a big-game player and he's showing it on this stage. It's not a surprise, he's done it his whole career."
While Freeman's bat provided the early spark, the Dodgers' pitching staff kept the Phillies off-balance throughout the game. Starter Clayton Kershaw, making his first World Series start since 2018, pitched 5.1 strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits.
"Clayton was great," said Roberts. "He attacked the zone, kept them off-balance, and gave us a great start."
The Phillies threatened in the late innings, but the Dodgers bullpen held firm. Evan Phillips pitched a scoreless seventh inning, while Brusdar Graterol and Craig Kimbrel combined to shut the door in the eighth and ninth innings.
The Dodgers' bullpen has been a force throughout the playoffs, and their performance in Game 3 was no exception. They have been able to effectively bridge the gap between Kershaw and the late-inning arms, solidifying the Dodgers' dominance in the series.
With the series now on the brink, the pressure mounts on the Phillies to avoid elimination. They will need to find a way to overcome the Dodgers' pitching and offense, and hope for a better performance from their own bats.
Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday night, and the Phillies will be looking to avoid a sweep and extend the series.
Will the Phillies be able to turn the tide and make this series a contest, or will the Dodgers continue their dominant run and clinch the championship?