New York Bounces Back, Beats Los Angeles In The Finale
After having a setback on Saturday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers New York who is leading the American League East with a record of 85-47 bounced back in the finale on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium.
The entire weekend at Chavez Ravine felt like a big deal, an opportunity for the clubs owning the best records in the Majors to appreciate a shared history, their current success and just maybe -- as Judge agreed after the Yankees' 5-1 victory over the Dodgers -- a future that could see them face off again in autumn. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
If it lines up that way, it'd be great to see them," Judge said. "They're a great team and anything can happen in the postseason. We'd be excited for that opportunity." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
The Yankees' blueprint for chasing their 28th World Series championship is centered around slugging homers and locking games down with their power bullpen, a formula that they executed with aplomb to topple Clayton Kershaw and take the finale of the three-game series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
"I don't think there was any question that guys were excited to come here and play against a great team," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I thought the guys really performed all weekend. They love these environments. It's good to see them go out and contribute in a big way." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
It is worth mentioning that, should these powerhouses meet in the Fall Classic for the first time since 1981, Sunday's game could carry great meaning. If the Yanks (85-47) and Dodgers (86-46) finish with identical regular season records, the Yanks' 2-1 head-to-head record would be used as the tiebreaker for home-field advantage. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
DJ Lemahieu pounced on the game's third pitch to set a new Major League team record for home runs in a calendar month, then Judge and Mike Ford added deep drives off Kershaw to give the club 61 in August. That surpassed the record of 58 previously shared by the Orioles (May 1987) and Mariners (May 1999) “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
We hit homers. We've got good hitters," Boone said. "Good power hitters up and down the lineup, a lot of guys capable. We’re going to have those kinds of marks fall every now and then." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
It all supported a strong effort from Domingo German, who notched his Major League-leading 17th victory. Settling in after Joc Pederson's leadoff homer, German limited Los Angeles to a run and five hits over six innings, marking the Yanks’ 18th win in his 22 starts. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
"I calmed myself down and found a groove," German said through a translator. "I faced each hitter pitch by pitch and just slowed myself down."
Adam Ottavino, Tommy Kahnle, Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman combined for three scoreless, hitless innings, helping New York improve to 23-0 when all four of their most-trusted relievers appear together.
"This series, they pitched us well," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t think this series changed my thought that these are two very good ballclubs, but we both have a lot of work to do if there is a potential [World Series] matchup." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
Judge, who had promised a fan during batting practice that he would “hit one for you tonight," followed through in the third inning by cracking another of Kershaw’s trademark curves over the wall in right-center. The slugger has now homered in three straight games and four of six on this trip. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
"You could feel the playoff atmosphere in the moment," Judge said. "The crowd was getting rowdy even before the first pitch. You love that as a player. That's why we play." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
Ford was inserted as a third-inning pinch-hitter in place of Didi Gregorius, who sustained a right shoulder contusion when he was hit by a Kershaw fastball in the first inning. X-rays were negative on Gregorius, who is listed as day to day. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
If it lines up that way, it'd be great to see them," Judge said. "They're a great team and anything can happen in the postseason. We'd be excited for that opportunity." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
The Yankees' blueprint for chasing their 28th World Series championship is centered around slugging homers and locking games down with their power bullpen, a formula that they executed with aplomb to topple Clayton Kershaw and take the finale of the three-game series.
"I don't think there was any question that guys were excited to come here and play against a great team," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I thought the guys really performed all weekend. They love these environments. It's good to see them go out and contribute in a big way." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
It is worth mentioning that, should these powerhouses meet in the Fall Classic for the first time since 1981, Sunday's game could carry great meaning. If the Yanks (85-47) and Dodgers (86-46) finish with identical regular season records, the Yanks' 2-1 head-to-head record would be used as the tiebreaker for home-field advantage. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
DJ LeMahieu pounced on the game's third pitch to set a new Major League team record for home runs in a calendar month, then Judge and Mike Ford added deep drives off Kershaw to give the club 61 in August. That surpassed the record of 58 previously shared by the Orioles (May 1987) and Mariners (May 1999).
Adam Ottavino, Tommy Kahnle, Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman combined for three scoreless, hitless innings, helping New York improve to 23-0 when all four of their most-trusted relievers appear together. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
"This series, they pitched us well," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t think this series changed my thought that these are two very good ballclubs, but we both have a lot of work to do if there is a potential [World Series] matchup." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
Judge, who had promised a fan during batting practice that he would “hit one for you tonight," followed through in the third inning by cracking another of Kershaw’s trademark curves over the wall in right-center. The slugger has now homered in three straight games and four of six on this trip. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
"You could feel the playoff atmosphere in the moment," Judge said. "The crowd was getting rowdy even before the first pitch. You love that as a player. That's why we play." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
Ford was inserted as a third-inning pinch-hitter in place of Didi Gregorius, who sustained a right shoulder contusion when he was hit by a Kershaw fastball in the first inning. X-rays were negative on Gregorius, who is listed as day to day. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
Saying that he was "just trying to see the ball" in his first at-bat, Ford produced New York’s third big swing of the game in the sixth, slugging his sixth Major League homer over the right-field wall. The rookie then added a run-scoring double off Pedro Baez in the eighth. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
“Even the guys off the bench, you saw today with Mike Ford, he comes in off the bench and hits a homer off one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game,” Judge said. “That doesn't happen too often. It speaks volumes to what type of team we have.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-set-mlb-record-for-home-runs-in-a-month
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers who have a record of 86-46 and who are leading the National League West had a setback in the finale.
They were outscored by the Yankees in the series, 16-5, and out-homered, 9-2. The Dodgers have scored more than three runs only once in their last eight games. They went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position on Sunday and 2-for-16 in the series. The only Dodgers win in the series, 2-1 on Saturday, was impacted by a controversial umpire decision. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
So, do they match up against the best team in the American League? “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
“They definitely mirror our club,” said manager Dave Roberts. “It’s a fun team to compete against and they got the best of us this series. I think we match up well.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
Runaway division leaders and favorites to reach the World Series for a third consecutive season, the Dodgers tried to minimize fantasizing over an October rematch from the start of the series until its end. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
“I don’t think this series changed my thought that these are two very good ballclubs,” said Roberts, "but we both have a lot of work to do if there is a potential [World Series] matchup.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
The Dodgers apparently have more work to do than the Yankees. They offered several explanations for the game and series outcome. Unfamiliarity with the Yankees' pitchers, particularly James Paxton and German. Shadows from the 4:07 p.m. start time. Several wasted at-bats.”according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
“We did get a little bit impatient,” said Roberts, who got a home run from Joc Pederson on the first Yankees pitch of the game but nothing else run-producing on the next 120 pitches. “To make no excuse, Domingo threw the heck out of the baseball.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
Max Muncy said one key to the Dodgers’ success this year has been focusing on the present without looking behind or ahead, but he acknowledged it was hard to ignore the potential of a Fall Classic preview. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
“It was absolutely exciting. It’s hard not to let it creep into your head that this could be a preview of something in the fall,” Muncy said. “But it’s something we’ve worked hard on in this clubhouse. It was a fun weekend, it was a loud weekend. The atmosphere was great, the fans were unbelievable. Even though we lost, it was fun.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
Kershaw (13-3) has allowed six home runs in his last 13 innings and 21 on the season, two shy of his career high. He also struck out a season-high 12 with no walks in seven innings, but his Interleague win streak was snapped at 11. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
“I made four mistakes and three of them went over the fence,” Kershaw said. “The curveballs got me today. I’ve always said solo home runs won’t beat you, but three probably will. I don’t know if facing them gives you more or less help, hopefully we can find out in October.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
He hung 1-1 curveballs for homers to DJ LeMahieu leading off the game and Aaron Judge (who homered in each game of the series), but Kershaw said he was most annoyed at the third one by Mike Ford on a fastball. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
“The result part obviously matters. But the way he’s throwing the baseball compared to the last couple of times, I’ll bet on the result,” Roberts said of Kershaw. “Clayton today threw the heck out of it and we didn’t give him any support. To look at the takeaway of him throwing three home runs, that’s a little shortsighted.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offense-struggles-as-yankees-hit-3-home-runs
New York will now head to Seattle where they will play a three game series against the Mariners beginning Monday night.