Dodgers World Series: LA Takes Game 3 Behind Walker Buehler’s Dominant Outing
The Dodgers and Rays went back at it in Game 3 of the World Series on Friday night in Texas. Los Angeles and Tampa Bay were playing for the lead as both teams were knotted up at 1 game apiece in the series coming into Game 3.
Walker Buehler’s Game on
There might not be a better big-game pitcher than Walker Buehler in all of baseball right now. He did it again in Game 3 of the World Series, tossing 6 innings and allowing just 1 run to come across. Buehler kept the Dodgers in from the start, striking out 10 Rays batters and issuing just 1 walk. In short, he was absolutely nasty.
Walker Buehler was mowing 'em down tonight ?
1??0?? strikeouts for the @Dodgers ace! @buehlersdayoff pic.twitter.com/i3LJuE39ff
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 24, 2020
Dodgers Offense Shows Up Early
The Rays’ Charlie Morton didn’t have nearly the same luck as Walker Buehler. Justin Turner got the Dodgers off to a great start in the 1st inning with a solo shot off of Morton to get them on the board.
GONE!
Just like that, @RedTurn2 gives the @Dodgers a 1-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/War3z6Sqjt
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 24, 2020
Max Muncy has been a walk machine this postseason, but that’s not what got him into the highlights during this one. Muncy came up with 2 on and 2 out in the 3rd and drove them both in with a ball in the gap.
Clutch 2-out base hit by Max Muncy brings in two runs for the @Dodgers!
LA with the 3-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/QURMdXrFsG
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 24, 2020
Oh yeah, and Austin Barnes homered in this one. There is literally nothing more to say than that Austin Barnes hit a World Series homerun.
Austin Barnes doing it all!
Previous AB: RBI on a squeeze bunt.
This AB: Solo shot ? pic.twitter.com/TMAOrVbzrF— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 24, 2020
Dodgers Bullpen Finishes the Job
After Walker Buehler, the Dodgers bullpen came in to get things done. Blake Treinen threw a perfect 7th inning and Brusdar Graterol followed that up with a perfect inning of his own. Kenley Jansen came in to lock it down in the 9th making his first appearance since last Saturday against the Braves.
Jansen struck out Austin Meadows, induced a fly ball from Lowe, and gave up a homerun to Randy Arozarena. He then got Ji-Man Choi to lineout to left field to secure the Dodgers win at 6-2.
Up Next for the World Series
The Dodgers and Rays will be back at it for Game 4 of the World Series on Saturday evening in Arlington. Tampa Bay has not officially named a starter, though Ryan Yarborough is supposed to get the bulk of innings. Julio Urias is going to go for Los Angeles and is not currently expected to have any sort of innings limit.
MLB News: Rob Manfred Mentions Changing the Rules to Limit Defensive Shifts
That was more like it. Plenty of base runners. Loved that sac bunt. And the two-run single. Two more to go.
I predict that this series will be over in 5 games. The Dodgers will not drop another game. Urias and Kershaw are both hot. Muncy is hitting again. The top of the order with Mookie, Seager, JT, and now Muncy is locked and loaded. The bottom of the order is better than the top of the Rays order. The Dodgers are playing small ball. I love it. Great bunt by Barnes. Small ball with great pitching wins games.
I hope you’re right, but the Dodgers MO has been to take the next game off after a dominating performance. But, if they can avoid the urge to sleepwalk thru tonite’s game, that should do it!