(NEXSTAR) — The New York Yankees have found themselves in a precarious situation, down three games in the World Series and on the precipice of losing it all.
The Los Angeles Dodgers jumped out to a quick lead in Game 3 on Monday thanks to a two-run Freddie Freeman homer during the opening inning. It was his sixth straight World Series game with a home run.
It also helped put the Dodgers one game closer to sweeping the Yankees and securing their first World Series since the shortened 2020 season. Before that, the team had not won the Series since 1988.
The Yankees will head into Game 4 on Tuesday with the chance to make history: no team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the World Series.
Sweeps, though, have happened before in the World Series — 21 times, to be exact.
In eight of those matchups, the Yankees had the upper hand, including their 1998 and 1999 victories over the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves, respectively.
New York has also been swept three times: in 1922 by the then-New York Giants; in 1976 by the Cincinnati Reds; and in 1963 by the Dodgers.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, have been swept in the World Series, falling to the Baltimore Orioles in 1966.
While no team has overcome a 3-0 deficit in the World Series, there is precedent for MLB playoff teams making a comeback.
In 2004, the Boston Red Sox turned a 3-0 deficit in the American League Championship Series into a 4-3 victory, paving their way to the World Series where they swept the St. Louis Cardinals. Who did they beat in the ALCS, you ask? None other than the Yankees.
They say history repeats itself, but it’s too soon to tell if 2024 will be a repeat of 1963 or a remake of 2004.
First pitch of Game 4 at Yankee Stadium is set for 8:08 p.m. ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
