In a matchup that reignited one of baseball's fiercest rivalries, the New York Yankees delivered a decisive 4-0 shutout over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium. The win propelled the Yankees into the American League Division Series, leaving the Red Sox to ponder another early playoff exit. Indeed, after splitting the first two games—a narrow 3-1 Boston victory on Tuesday followed by New York's 4-3 comeback the next day—this rubber match felt like a statement from the pinstripes.
The Yankees' pitching staff, led by rookie sensation Cam Schlittler, dominated from the outset. Schlittler struck out 12 Red Sox batters over seven innings, his fastball painting the corners with surgical precision. Offensively, New York capitalized early, with Aaron Judge launching a two-run homer in the third to set the tone. Boston's bats, including Masataka Yoshida's quiet night at the plate, couldn't muster much against the Yankees' bullpen, which slammed the door late despite Aroldis Chapman's brief, tense appearance in the eighth.
However, the series wasn't without its drama. Game 1 saw Garrett Crochet shine for Boston, stifling New York's lineup in a low-scoring affair. Then came Game 2's late rally, where the Yankees clawed back from a deficit, forcing this decider. Fans tuned in via ESPN and MLB.tv, with coverage starting at 8 p.m. ET—though many in the Northeast probably caught it on local channels like YES Network for the Yanks or NESN for the Sox. The atmosphere in the Bronx was electric, a far cry from the subdued regular-season tilts between these AL East foes.
Moreover, this victory underscores New York's resilience after a rollercoaster 2025 campaign. The roster, bolstered by timely trades, showed depth when it mattered most. Boston, meanwhile, heads home frustrated, their wildcard hopes dashed yet again in the shadow of their rivals. As the Yankees prepare to face the next challenger, one can't help but wonder if this postseason run will finally deliver the hardware that has eluded them for so long.