Nestor Cortes is old enough to remember the 2004 ALCS. While the Florida resident didn’t root for the Yankees or Red Sox, he recalled how Boston’s Kevin Millar told The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy and members of the Bombers “Don’t let us win today” before and during Game 4 of that series. At the time, the Yankees led that ALCS 3-0. They ultimately blew it as Boston became the only team in baseball history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit. No World Series team has ever done that. The Yankees are clinging to the hope that they can be the first with the Dodgers looking for a Fall Classic sweep on Tuesday night. “I don’t think it’s impossible,” Cortes said. “I know the numbers don’t back it up. I know there hasn’t been a World Series team that’s come back from a 3-0 deficit, but we have an opportunity to write our own story.” Fate would have it that a member of that unprecedented 2004 Red Sox team is now managing the Dodgers as they look to put the Yankees away. Once a speedy outfielder, Dave Roberts boldly stole second with the Sox down one in the ninth inning of Game 4 of that ALCS. The swipe is considered a turning point in the series, as Boston went on to rally against Mariano Rivera and win in 12 innings that night. A 14-inning victory followed in Game 5, followed by a close contest in Game 6 and a blowout win in Game 7. Boston went on to win the World Series that year, breaking The Curse of The Bambino. Unfortunately for the Yankees, Roberts didn’t want to share any pointers on what it takes to pull off a historic comeback. “Don’t talk about that. Wrong guy. Way too early,” the manager said after the Dodgers beat the Yankees, 4-2, on Monday. “I don’t want to divulge any secrets, but from the other side, I just think that we have got to stay focused, stay urgent. “I just don’t want to let these guys up for air.” While it’s understandable that Roberts didn’t want to give the Yankees any help, the pinstripers know what they’re up against. “They’re one win away, and we’re four wins away,” Alex Verdugo said. “Obviously, you do the math with that. It’s going to be tough. There’s no question about it: we got an uphill fight.” However, the outfielder reasoned that the Yankees can match the Dodgers’ World Series winning streak to force a Game 7. “If that team wins three in a row, then why can’t we win three in a row?” he asked. “That’s the way I look at it.” Other Yankees didn’t dare think past Game 4, which will see rookie right-hander Lui Gil start the potential elimination contest. The Dodgers, meanwhile, will go with a bullpen game. “In our heads, it’s win one game. That’s how it starts,” said the struggling Aaron Judge. “We all know what’s at stake. We all know our backs are up against the wall, so we gotta get going our way. That’s what it comes down to.” Added Giancarlo Stanton: “One at-bat at a time, one pitch at a time. No other option.” There’s not much else the Yankees can say at this point, as they have to play at least one more game with seemingly insurmountable odds in front of them. Their next loss, should it occur this season as expected, will extend a 15-year championship drought, leaving a stain on an otherwise mostly successful campaign. They know that history is not on their side, but they expressed optimism nonetheless. “Hopefully we can go be this amazing story and shock the world,” Aaron Boone said. “But right now, it’s about trying to get a lead, trying to grab a game, and forcing another one. And then on from there.”