No team in Major League Baseball history has ever come back from an 0-3 hole in the World Series. As a matter of fact, very few teams even force a Game 5.
But forcing a Game 5 is exactly what the New York Yankees have done. Just as important is the precise WAY the Yankees have forced that Game 5.
Last night wasn’t some tight one-run, or two-run, or even three-run game. It was an absolute blowout which saw the bats of the Bombers truly come to life for the first time all series.
Don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Yankees. Aaron Judge is still struggling, but his at-bats last night were by far the best he’s had in the entire month of October.
Judge is clearly seeing the ball much better, and you have the sense, for the first time all postseason, that he is about to break out of his nightmare slump.
While the defense and base running still leaves a lot to be desired, the Yankees finally have confidence and momentum. And as we all know, the combination of confidence and momentum is a very dangerous thing.
Most importantly, the Yankees will send ace Gerrit Cole to the mound in tonight’s do-or-die Game 5.
Cole is viewed by many as the best pitcher in all of baseball. And he’s very well-rested heading into tonight. (Aaron Boone inexplicably yanking him after 88 pitches in Game 1 assures that.)
Not to sound overly dramatic, but tonight’s game is the exact reason why the Yankees brought Cole to New York. It’s the biggest game of his entire career and he knows as well as anyone that he needs to deliver big.
While the Dodgers are still in great shape in the series, the pressure will begin to shift to them in a big way if the Yankees win tonight.
Sure, the final two games (if necessary) will take place in Los Angeles and Dave Robert’s bullpen is more than ready for whatever he needs from them.
Having said that, if the Yankees step foot on an LA-bound plane tomorrow morning, they’ll be doing so with all of the confidence and momentum in the world.
“Well, I’m not one to predict the future. Stories have to be told, I know you guys do that for a living, so I’ll be willing to give you some material to write one,” Yankees reliever Luke Weaver told reporters of a potential historic comeback.
Weaver highlighted the unpredictable nature of the postseason, saying that “one swing” or “one moment” could change everything. He knows it’s “all-hands-on-deck” in October.
“I came into today ready to throw three innings if need be,” Weaver said. “I wanted to leave it all out on the line. It’s the last game before they [The Dodgers] gotta do some business we don’t wanna see. I wanna be able to live with myself and put my head on the pillow and be like, ‘I gave it everything.'”
Boone praised his hitters’ approach in Game 4, saying, “Obviously a lot of big at-bats. Volpe with a big blow. The bottom of the order, Volpe, Wells, Verdugo, all with really good at-bats. And then just a nice job of tacking on there.”
Local boy Anthony Volpe was the star of the night delivering a monstrous grand slam. Growing up going to Yankee games and parades, Volpe had a night that most kids can only dream of.
Catcher Austin Wells also played a crucial role in the Yankees offensive explosion.
Wells, who had gone a disappointing 4-for-43 in the postseason before Tuesday, came through with a double, a home run, and a walk.
Speaking to FOX after the game, Wells explained his mindset heading into Game 4: “We were down three and really just went out there and said screw it.”
As crazy as it sounds, the whole “screw it” approach can make a team extra dangerous, especially when their backs are up against the wall.
While the odds are certainly stacked against them, last night’s explosion in the Bronx has given the Yankees real reason to believe.
Assuming Cole comes through tonight and the bats don’t completely disappear again (which is certainly possible), the Bombers will be heading to LA believing that they can pull off the impossible.
All of this begs the question: Just how concerned should the Dodgers be heading into tonight’s pivotal Game 5???