Yankees aim to ride on home energy to return to World Series contention
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Follow UsAnthony Rizzo’s recent remarks on the role of fans at Yankee Stadium for Monday night’s game were more a recognition of importance than a plea. As the Yankees prepare to host their first World Series game in the Bronx since 2009, Rizzo highlighted the need for an electrified crowd to help close their 0-2 series gap against the Dodgers.
In the visitor’s clubhouse after Saturday’s 4-2 Game 2 loss in Los Angeles, Rizzo pointed to the power of a passionate home crowd. He noted how the energy from Bronx fans can elevate team performance and rattle opponents. With Monday’s game pivotal, he expressed hope that fans would bring a level of intensity fit for the occasion.
The Yankees face long odds—teams with a 2-0 World Series lead have won the title in 45 out of 56 cases. But Rizzo drew parallels to the Yankees’ comeback in 1996, when, after dropping the first two games at home to Atlanta, the team rallied to win four straight and clinch their first title since 1978. That comeback launched a Yankees dynasty, underscoring the power of resilience.
“More than ever right now, for sure,” according to the Yankees first baseman. “They back us, they pump us up, they put pressure on other teams. The Bronx is a special place when that stadium’s rocking. We feel it and we get rolling. So we’re going to need every ounce of their energy coming into Monday. Take care of business and keep going.”
Rizzo himself is no stranger to postseason comebacks. He was a key piece of the 2016 Cubs, who overcame a 3-1 deficit in the World Series against Cleveland to claim their first championship since 1908. Reflecting on that experience, Rizzo stressed the importance of a one-game-at-a-time focus, suggesting that the path to victory is built through consistent effort in each game.
By keeping a tight focus and channeling fan energy, Rizzo and the Yankees aim to rewrite their story and keep their championship dreams alive.
Juan Soto’s World Series journey may differ from Anthony Rizzo’s, but it boasts its own memorable chapter. At just 20, Soto was instrumental in the Washington Nationals’ first-ever championship run in 2019. His Game 1 performance against Astros ace Gerrit Cole, featuring a home run and double, set the tone for a standout series. Notably, the 2019 World Series marked the first in history where the visiting team won every game.
Rizzo recently shared a conversation with Soto reflecting on their unique yet equally high-stakes World Series experiences. Now, both are channeling those lessons as the Yankees aim to turn around their current 2-0 deficit to the Dodgers.
“The mindset was win one game and everything will take care of itself,” Rizzo said. “I was just talking to Juan. And he’s been a part of an insane, roller-coaster World Series and so have I.”
Game 3 marks the starting assignment for Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt, who is widely recognized among teammates as one of the most poised players in the clubhouse. He’s set to face off against Dodgers starter Walker Buehler in what Schmidt and the Yankees are treating as a must-win.
Schmidt emphasized that their “must-win” mindset is consistent with how they’ve approached every game this season, regardless of the current series score. He’s also looking forward to the energy of Yankee Stadium’s crowd, anticipating that the fans’ pitch-by-pitch intensity will offer a psychological lift. Schmidt acknowledged the unique adrenaline that comes with the Bronx home crowd, where fan engagement can have a palpable impact on the field.
As the Yankees prepare for this pivotal showdown, the echoes of past World Series triumphs and challenges underscore their task ahead.
Chisholm admits to Yankees’ anxiety
The Yankees’ confidence appears to have shifted after two challenging games against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, with Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s perspective offering a clear reflection of that change.
After Game 1, Chisholm spoke with notable confidence, saying the team carried the same belief they held throughout the season—that they could get the four wins needed to secure the title. He described it as self-assuredness, not arrogance. But following Saturday’s 4-2 loss in Game 2, his tone shifted, acknowledging the team’s rising anxiety amid the pressure of World Series play, a new experience for many on the roster. Still, he expressed optimism about playing in New York, hopeful that the familiar environment would restore the team’s confidence and focus.
“We’re all a little bit anxious, you know?” he told ESPN. “First two games of our World Series in our career. So you’re going to go out there a little bit anxious. I feel like when we get home, he’s going to feel more confident and he’s going to calm down a little bit more going into a home crowd.”
The emotional toll of high-stakes October baseball has impacted Chisholm’s own performance. In Game 1, his aggressive baserunning created a critical run in the tenth inning, including two stolen bases and a score on a fielder’s choice, nearly tipping the game in the Yankees’ favor before Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam. Game 2 saw Chisholm go 1-for-4, but with the series moving to Yankee Stadium, the Yankees saw an opportunity to shift the series momentum. Although winning the championship will likely require them to secure a game on the West Coast with Games 6 and 7 set in Los Angeles, the upcoming three-game stretch in New York offers a chance for a decisive comeback.
Chisholm’s hope that the Yankees will find their footing at home aligns with their immediate goal: winning three straight games in New York would put them just one step away from capturing their 28th World Series title.
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