The storied rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox reignites tonight in a high-stakes winner-take-all Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series. With the series knotted at one game apiece, the Yankees host this decisive matchup at Yankee Stadium, where tensions have simmered since the regular season's end. Game 1 saw the Red Sox edge out a 3-1 victory on September 30, thanks to strong pitching and timely hits, but the Yankees fought back fiercely in Game 2, scraping a 4-3 win on October 1 to force this rubber match.
Indeed, the start time for tonight's game was bumped back slightly by MLB to 7:08 p.m. ET, allowing for better broadcast alignment and giving players a bit more rest after yesterday's thriller. Fans can catch the action on ESPN for national coverage, or stream it via the MLB app or services like Fubo and DirecTV Stream. For those in the New York area, local channels YES Network and NESN will provide detailed play-by-play.
Key players to watch include Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, who's been a spark in the postseason with his defensive prowess and clutch hitting—batting .280 in recent games—and Boston's Masataka Yoshida, the Red Sox designated hitter who's posted a solid .295 average against New York this season, including a home run in Game 1. Pitching duels will be crucial: the Yankees turn to rookie right-hander Will Warren, a Massachusetts native making his playoff debut, while Boston counters with lefty James Paxton, who's 12-8 with a 3.95 ERA over the year. Yankees manager Aaron Boone shuffled the lineup slightly, inserting Jazz Chisholm Jr. in left and benching struggling Giancarlo Stanton, aiming for more speed against Paxton's curveball-heavy arsenal.
However, the Red Sox aren't backing down. Their roster features reliable arms like closer Kenley Jansen, who's converted 27 of 31 saves, and outfielder Jarren Duran, who's stolen 14 bases in the last month alone. Previous scores highlight the parity: New York's offense tallied just seven hits in Game 1 but exploded for 11 in the comeback win yesterday. Boston's bullpen, though, has shown cracks, allowing four runs in the late innings of Game 2.
Moreover, this game's location in the Bronx adds extra edge—the Yankees are 28-15 at home this season, while the Red Sox have split their last 10 road contests. Player stats underscore the drama: Aaron Judge leads New York with 58 homers and 144 RBIs, yet he's hitless in the series so far, putting pressure on the captain to deliver. On the flip side, Rafael Devers has three hits and two RBIs for Boston, keeping their momentum alive.
As the lights dim at Yankee Stadium and the first pitch looms, one can't help but ponder how this chapter in the endless Yankees-Red Sox saga might unfold for the ages.