Yankees’ Game 3 starter faces daunting task of World Series revival: ‘Must-win at this point’

Clarke Schmidt watched, but occasionally his eyes would drift. We’ve just got to keep at it.” Game 3 saviors Team Opponent Year Winning pitcher Result Brooklyn Yankees 1955 Johnny Podres CG, 1 ER Yankees Dodgers 1956 Whitey Ford CG, 2 ER Yankees Braves 1958 Don Larsen 7 IP, 0 ER Dodgers Twins 1965 Claude Osteen SHO Pirates Orioles 1971 Steve Blass CG, 1 ER Yankees Dodgers 1978 Ron Guidry CG, 1 ER Dodgers Yankees 1981 Fernando Valenzeula CG, 4 ER Royals Cardinals 1985 Bret Saberhagen CG, 1 ER Mets Red Sox 1986 Bob Ojeda 7 IP, 1 ER Yankees Braves 1996 David Cone 6 IP, 1 ER Blass, 82, recalled how he had “my face ripped off” during a horrendous NLCS against the San Francisco Giants, during which he allowed nine runs over just seven innings in two starts. “When he first started talking … it was something to the effect of, ‘I wouldn’t mind losing to the Dodgers,’” said then-Yankees pitcher Ron Guidry. But we’re beating ourselves.’” Thurman Munson and Ron Guidry after Game 3 of the 1978 World Series. “We were embarrassed at home in the first two games and the general feeling was we were overmatched by the Braves,” said former Yankees right-hander David Cone, who drew the critical assignment for Game 3.