The rivalry reignites under the Yankee Stadium lights as the New York Yankees host the Boston Red Sox for a decisive Game 3 in the AL Wild Card Series. After a split in the first two games, everything hangs in the balance tonight, October 2, with first pitch now pushed back to 8:08 p.m. ET—MLB's nod to cooler evening conditions and perhaps a touch of drama. The Yankees clawed back from a 3-1 deficit in Game 1 with a gritty 4-3 win on Wednesday, forcing this winner-take-all clash. Indeed, the pressure is palpable; one team advances to face the Guardians, the other packs it in for the winter.
Lineups are out, and the Yankees lean on their rookie right-hander from Massachusetts roots, a local kid stepping up against Boston's ace. New York's order features Aaron Judge leading off with his towering presence—batting .322 this postseason push—flanked by Gleyber Torres and Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the heart. Trent Grisham, fresh off a key hit in Game 2, slots into center field, his .278 average against lefties a quiet weapon. Over in Boston, Masataka Yoshida anchors left at .289, while Rafael Devers lurks third with 28 homers on the year, ever the threat in these high-stakes moments. The Red Sox counter with their own depth, Justin Wilson possibly bridging from the pen after a solid 3.12 ERA stint.
Where to catch it? ESPN carries the broadcast nationally, with streaming on the ESPN app or MLB.tv for out-of-market fans—though blackouts apply in the Northeast. However, the real intrigue lies in the stats: Yankees' bullpen has held foes to a 2.45 ERA in the series, but Boston's starters have fanned 15 in two games. Red Sox scored just four runs total so far, Yankees five—tight margins that scream classic rivalry tension. Moreover, the Bronx crowd, rowdy as ever, could tilt the field, yet Boston's road warriors have thrived in hostile territory all season.
Game 3 rosters show no major tweaks; Yankees stick with their 26-man playoff squad, Red Sox mirroring the depth that got them here. Yoshida's timely hits and Grisham's defense might just tip the scales, but in this feud, anything goes. As the series hurtles toward its climax, one wonders if history's ghosts will whisper louder than the cheers.