Yankees look to rally from 3-0 deficit: How many MLB teams have done that in the playoffs?

The New York Yankees facing a monumental task in their attempt to overcome a 3-0 deficit in this year’s World Series. But they have already defied recent history by taking the first step.

IN defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 on Tuesday nightThe Yankees live to fight another day, with Game 5 on tap Wednesday night in the Bronx.

There have been 25 teams in World Series history that have trailed 3-0. The Yankees are one of only four to even force a Game 5. Of those four teams, none have ever made it to a Game 6.

Yankees pitcher Tim Mayza and catcher Austin Wells celebrate an 11-4 victory in Game 4 of the 2024 World Series. The Yanks still trail the Los Angeles Dodgers three games to one.

How many MLB teams have come back from a 3-0 deficit to win?

Expanding our coverage to all best-of-seven MLB playoff series, 41 teams have won the first three games against their opponents. In all but 10 occasions, these clubs have gone on to record a sweep.

Of the 10 teams that lost Game 4, five were able to wrap things up in Game 5.

There have been two occasions when a team with a 3-0 lead has lost three in a row to set up a Game 7. In the 2020 American League Championship Series, the Tampa Bay Rays won the first three against the Houston Astros, but managed to take Game 7 and the AL pennant.

Only once in MLB history has a team come all the way back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

MLB’s best postseason comeback

The Boston Red Sox was celebrated after the New York Yankees went three games to none in the 2004 ALCS, but rallied to win the next four games and advance to the World Series.

It was a comeback for the ages, and one that created a recently released Netflix documentary.

The extra-inning victory in Game 4 turned utilityman Dave Roberts into a folk hero in New England for his decisive steal of second base in the bottom of the ninth that kept the Red Sox’s season alive. The same Dave Roberts is now the manager of the Dodgers and is trying to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.

The Red Sox won Game 5 at home before taking two at Yankee Stadium to complete the historic comeback. The magical season ended with a sweep of St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.

This article was originally published on USA TODAY: How many MLB teams have come back from 3-0 deficits in the playoffs to win?