The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have turned their storied rivalry into a nail-biting AL Wild Card Series, now hanging on the edge of Game 3 today at Yankee Stadium. After splitting the first two games, both teams are desperate to advance to the Division Series. Indeed, the intensity from Fenway and the Bronx has been palpable, with fans on both sides holding their breath.
Game 1 on Tuesday saw the Red Sox edge out a 3-1 victory in New York, thanks to strong pitching from Garrett Crochet, who limited the Yankees to just four hits over six innings. Boston's offense scratched out runs with timely hits from Cody Bellinger and others, while Aroldis Chapman faltered in the ninth, allowing the go-ahead single. The Yankees' bats went quiet, managing only a solo homer from Aaron Judge, but it wasn't enough against Boston's suffocating defense.
However, the Yankees bounced back fiercely in Game 2, winning 4-3 in Boston. Jazz Chisholm Jr. sparked the lineup with a two-run double in the fifth, and Trent Grisham delivered a crucial RBI single late. New York's bullpen, led by closer Clay Holmes, shut down a late Red Sox rally. Boston's Garrett Whitlock struggled in relief, giving up three runs in the eighth. Moreover, Alex Bregman—wait, no, that's not right; focus on the Yankees' depth with players like Gleyber Torres contributing key hits.
Now, for Game 3, the Yankees turn to their ace, Gerrit Cole, against Boston's Tanner Houck. Lineups show the Yankees sticking with their power core—Judge, Stanton, and Soto—while the Red Sox rely on speed from Jarren Duran and Rafael Devers' clutch bat. Predictions are split; some see New York's home advantage prevailing, others point to Boston's momentum from nine regular-season wins over the Yanks. Player stats highlight Judge's .285 average with 58 homers this year, but Devers leads Boston with 102 RBIs.
Justin Wilson could see mound time for New York if things get tight. The series has already featured low-scoring affairs with solid starting pitching dominating, totaling just 11 runs across two games. As the clock ticks toward first pitch, one wonders if this rivalry will deliver another classic or finally crown a winner in the playoffs.