NEW YORK — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knows what it takes to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-7 series. His efforts against the Yankees in Game 4 of the 2004 AL Championship Series are largely seen as the catalyst for the improbable comeback the Red Sox would accomplish.
Being on the other side of the same scenario — the Dodgers can sweep the Yankees in Game 4 at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday — Roberts wouldn’t “divulge any secrets.”
“From the other side, we have got to stay focused (and) stay urgent,” Roberts said. “I think, offensively to be quite honest, we left a lot of runs out there (in Game 3) and still found a way to win a ball game. There’s just gotta be urgency. I just don’t want to let these guys up for air.”
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The Dodgers beat the Yankees 4-2 in Game 3, but the game felt more lopsided than that. There were opportunities for Los Angeles to blow the game open, but they left seven runners on base and went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position (RISP) on Monday.
Fortunately, the Yankees weren’t much better. While their pitchers did a good job preventing more runners from scoring, batters did a poor job driving runners in. In Game 3, New York left eight runners on base and went 2-for-6 with RISP.
“Credit to them that they’ve been able to hold us down and control us,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “When we have had opportunities, we haven’t cashed in. Ultimately, that’s what this comes about, you gotta take advantage, put one in the seats with a runner or two on.”
It’s been a problem for both teams this series. The Yankees have stranded 25 runners while going 4-for-20 (.200) with RISP while the Dodgers have left 15 runners on base and a 3-for-19 (.157) with RISP.
The difference has been extra-base hits. Los Angeles has beaten New York with 12 extra-base hits to 5. In particular, they’ve out-homered the Yankees five to three. As a result, they’ve outscored their opponents 14-7.
As a result, the Dodgers have a commanding 3-0 World Series lead — and they don’t intend to let the Yankees up from it.
“I’m not worried about how the series has played out,” potential Game 5 Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty said. “I’m worried about getting one more. … Those guys are not going to go away quietly.”
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Manny Gómez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.
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