The Los Angeles Dodgers received a dominant performance from Walker Buehler in a pivotal swing game and now are in position to take firm control of the World Series in Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Entering this year’s Fall Classic, the team that emerged victorious in Game 3 of 1-1 series has gone on to win the championship 38% of the time, including in five of the last eight, and 16 of the last 18 instances.
Only six teams have erased a 3-1 deficit in the World Series, with the 2016 Chicago Cubs the last to do so. The list also includes the 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1958 New York Yankees, 1968 Detroit Tigers, 1979 Pirates and 1985 Kansas City Royals.
After last throwing three innings out of the bullpen to finish off Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, Julio Urias is on the mound for a second start and fifth overall game this postseason.
He’s been phenomenal in both roles, going 4-0 with a 0.59 ERA, 16 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched, and holding opponents to a .125/.169/.196 batting line. Urias figures to essentially have the entire Dodgers bullpen back of him.
The lineup sees the return of AJ Pollock, who makes his second start of the World Series. Despite Austin Barnes delivering in multiple ways during Game 3, it’s Will Smith back behind the plate.
In what was a last-minute change, Cody Bellinger is the designated hitter due to back tightness so Pollock will play center field. Pollock is among the six right-handed batters in the Dodgers lineup to combat the Rays starting Ryan Yarbrough. The southpaw faced L.A. in Game 1, allowing RBI singles to Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernandez in 0.2 innings pitched.
Yarbrough is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in six career postseason appearances, including a 1-0 mark and 3.38 ERA this year. Yarbrough’s only other postseason start came in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, when he allowed two runs over five innings.
The Globe Life Field roof will be open for Game 4 despite temperatures expected to be in the 50s. MLB made the decision to close the roof — a first in the World Series — due to inclement weather in the forecast.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Max Muncy
C: Will Smith
DH: Cody Bellinger
CF: AJ Pollock
LF: Chris Taylor
2B: Kiké Hernandez
Rays lineup
1B: Yandy Díaz
DH: Randy Arozarena
3B: Mike Brosseau
LF: Manuel Margot
2B: Brandon Lowe
SS: Will Adames
RF: Hunter Renfroe
C: Mike Zunino
CF: Kevin Kiermaier
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