The Los Angeles Dodgers are one game away from their first World Series sweep since 2012 after a solid 4-2 win in Game 3, leaving the hapless Yankees battling for survival before Game 4.

As the Dodgers stand on the brink of a historic sweep, the Yankees find themselves in a precarious position where even their most heroic hits are starting to feel like last call at a bar – too little, too late. With only one path forward in this World Series—win or go home—the Yankees must channel their inner comeback kids, though recent stats suggest they might have a better shot at finding a unicorn than breaking the 39-in-40 odds of teams facing 3-0 deficits. Buckle up, baseball fans, because Game 4 is the ultimate test of resilience versus tradition.

In Game 3 of the World Series, Walker Buehler showcased his prowess on the mound, pitching five shutout innings to stifle any offensive aspirations from the Yankees. While the Dodgers' bullpen strategy has become a hallmark of their playoff success, Buehler’s performance reminded everyone that sometimes a starting pitcher can still make a case for being a superhero in a cape—never mind that he was probably just wearing a jersey and a cap.

Freddie Freeman ignited the Dodgers’ offense early with a dramatic two-run homer in the first inning, reminiscent of a firework show where the best part happens before the more polite pops and crackles finish. Little did the Yankees know that they would spend the rest of the game trying to catch up to a lead they established themselves—only in reverse. By the time the ninth inning rolled around, the score felt more like a distant dream than an attainable goal for the Yankees.

The Yankees' response came far too late, with Alex Verdugo’s two-run homer in the ninth inning serving as more of a consolation prize rather than a rallying cry. Despite having their backs against the wall, the Yankees couldn't muster the offensive firepower needed until the game was almost over, leading many to wonder if they mistook 'late game heroics' for 'waiting for the subway that’s not going to come'.

Meanwhile, the ever-effervescent Aaron Judge had a rather subdued outing, going 0-for-3 with one strikeout. It seems like Judge took on the mantle of the ‘Quiet Man’ during Game 3 while his fellow teammates were grasping at every opportunity to make just enough noise to stay relevant in the series. Perhaps he was trying to execute some sort of silent protest, but whatever it was, it did not translate into runs on the scorecard.

As the tension builds for Game 4, the Yankees will be turning to Luis Gil, who will be stepping up to the mound in what can only be described as a must-win situation. The stress of facing elimination can make even the most stoic players feel like they are part of a tightrope act played in a windstorm—one misstep could send them crashing into oblivion. However, Gil faces an unorthodox matchup, as the Dodgers are opting for a bullpen game, ensuring the Yankees won’t get comfortable against any single pitcher. It’s hardly like having your usual opponent; it’s more akin to dealing with a chameleon that keeps changing colors on you.

Yankees Manager Aaron Boone, with all the poise of a man who has found out the hard way that fridge magnets do not substitute for a decent meal when the pantry is bare, expressed the team’s focus on winning Game 4 to initiate a comeback. Boone's optimism echoes a common refrain in sports: the situation may seem dire, but as long as math has been used incorrectly in predictions, all hope remains relative. The scheduled start time for Game 4 is set for 8:08 p.m. ET, and no doubt Boone will emphasize the importance of every moment leading up to that game.

Despite the mounting odds, the fact that the Yankees have not been blown out in any game of this series is a small consolation. Yet, anyone who has ever stared the stark reality of playoff baseball in the face knows that sometimes, not getting obliterated feels more like missing a train than winning a battle. With this and the astounding statistic that historically about 39 out of 40 teams that go up 3-0 in the postseason win the series, the Bronx cheer still feels more like a Brooklyn whimper at this juncture.

For the Dodgers, they find themselves on the precipice of greatness, if there is indeed a bat-shatteringly successful evidence to support the theory of winning after being 3-0 up in a series. They’re aware of the stakes; this could very well be their first sweep since 2012. As whispers of history waft through the air, the Dodgers are holding their breath with restrained anticipation, much like an amateur contortionist preparing for one final bow where every detail must align perfectly.

The stakes could not be higher, and come Game 4, baseball fans will be tuned in on Fox to witness whether the Yankees can conjure the magic needed to extend their fate or if the Dodgers will waltz their way into the history books with their first sweep in over a decade. This Game 4 is not just about baseball; it’s about grit, determination, and just maybe, as they say in advertising, finding the strength within. But let’s be honest: if magic existed in sports, the street vendors selling it would charge an arm and a leg, and the admission price could never be too high for the pennant of dreams.