Takeaways from World Series Game 4: Volpe, Yankees beat Dodgers

Game 4 began with a familiar sight in this World Series: Freddie Freeman hit a home run to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a lead. But this time, the New York Yankees had an answer in the form of Anthony Volpe's third-inning grand slam that sparked an 11-4 victory.

Who else signed on when New York renewed this series and will it return to LA? We've covered everything from live updates and analysis during the game to insights after the final pitch and next steps for each team.

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Takeaways

New York Yankees 11, Los Angeles Dodgers 4

Yankees: The Yankees finally had their big success. Volpe's hit grand slam off Daniel Hudson with two outs in the third inning was the breakthrough the Yankees needed. It electrified the sold-out audience. It supplied the club with oxygen. Most importantly, it gave them a lead for the first time since Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam in Game 1. The Yankees added six runs against the Dodgers' bullpen, marking the first time they have won a game by more than three runs this postseason. The outbreak ensured they could play another day. Will it be the turning point in a historic comeback? It's at least a start. –Jorge Castillo

Dodgers: It was clear almost from the start that the Dodgers essentially beat Game 4. Six of their high-leverage relievers combined to throw 100 pitches in their win the night before, the first of three straight games in New York. Their plan in Game 4 was to only turn to those weapons again when they had a lead. And because their lead dwindled early, as the Yankees put together a four-run third inning to take a 5-2 lead, the Dodgers' best powers didn't come into play.

It's the advantage of holding a 3-0 series lead that no team has ever given up in the World Series. But it came at a price. The Dodgers continued to try to erase their deficit, with the game down to two runs heading into the final three innings. But Brent Honeywell Jr., likely the last reliever on their depth chart, checked in, giving up five runs in the eighth and turning this into a blowout. –Jorge Castillo

Dodgers: The good news for the Dodgers is that they will have all of their high-powered weapons ready for a Game 5 matchup against Gerrit Cole, except for perhaps Daniel Hudson, who has appeared in back-to-back games. The bad news, of course, is that they lost a game in the World Series. They're pretty valuable. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts took a similar risk in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, essentially striking out a game and then taking the pennant in Game 6 with a fresh set of weapons. They hope for a similar result in the final round. –Alden Gonzalez

The big question for Game 5: Can the Yankees send this series back to Los Angeles? The team that had confidently made it through the American League playoffs finally showed up on Tuesday night, hitting three home runs – including a grand slam by Volpe in the third inning that gave the Yankees the lead for good – and allowing 11 runs on just nine hits .

Not only did New York avoid a sweep, it also has its ace waiting: Gerrit Cole will start Game 5 for the Yankees after a stellar performance in Game 1 that was canceled out by Freeman's walk-off grand slam . He faces Jack Flaherty as the Dodgers return to their rotation after their attempts to win the World Series with a bullpen game failed on Tuesday.

The Yankees still have a lot of work to do. Aaron Judge's RBI single in the eighth inning was a good sign. Volpe's tremendous all-around performance – he went 2-for-3, drove in four runs, scored three runs and was very good on defense – could be an indication of the kind of lineup depth the Yankees need. Austin Wells also went 2 for 3 and hit a home run. The Dodgers didn't use any of their leverage relievers, so the Yankees will have to put up with that, but no team that has ever trailed 3-0 in the World Series has forced a Game 6. The Yankees gave themselves a chance to be first. –Jeff Passan

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