Yankee Stadium, Bronx, September 29, 2025
News Summary
The New York Yankees will face off against the Boston Red Sox in a best-of-three American League Wild Card Series, starting at Yankee Stadium on September 30. Both teams have shown significant momentum heading into the postseason, with the Yankees finishing on an eight-game winning streak and the Red Sox clinching a wild card spot after a close victory. This matchup renews a historic rivalry, as both teams aim to advance to the Divisional Round against the Toronto Blue Jays.
New York
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will begin their best-of-three American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday, September 30. The first game will take place at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx at 6:08 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN. The winner of this Wild Card Series will advance to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the Divisional Round starting next weekend.
Key details and immediate context
The Yankees finished the regular season with a 94-68 record, identical to last year’s mark, but lost the AL East title to the Toronto Blue Jays due to a tiebreaker. The Blue Jays also posted a 94-68 record and won the season series against the Yankees 8-5. The Yankees are entering the playoffs after finishing the season on an eight-game winning streak, a strong late push that secured them a Wild Card slot and home-field advantage for this short series.
The Red Sox finished with an 89-73 record and clinched an AL Wild Card spot for the first time since 2021 after a close 4-3 win against the Detroit Tigers. Boston’s regular-season turnaround included a notable six-game winning streak after a slow start to the season. The Red Sox will be without rookie standout Roman Anthony, who is sidelined with an oblique injury.
Roster and pitching matchups
The projected starting pitchers for Game 1 are Max Fried (Yankees) and Garrett Crochet (Red Sox), both left-handed pitchers with successful seasons. Probable pitchers for upcoming games include Carlos Rodón (Yankees) for Game 2 and Brayan Bello (Red Sox), with Lucas Giolito also expected for Game 3. The Yankees secured home-field advantage throughout the series due to a better regular-season record than the Red Sox, who finished with an 89-73 record.
Rivalry and postseason history
This matchup renews one of baseball’s longest and most intense rivalries. The Yankees and Red Sox split their 24 postseason matchups historically, and both clubs enter October with momentum and question marks. In their head-to-head matchups during the regular season, the Red Sox won 9 of 13 games against the Yankees and outscored them 66-51.
Team leaders and role players will shape short series outcomes. Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ captain and AL MVP candidate, emphasized the importance of moving on from past losses and focusing on October. Ben Rice of the Yankees noted the thrill of participating in this historic rivalry, especially after hitting two homers in the final game of the season. Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez expressed excitement about the upcoming Yankees-Red Sox series, noting the historic rivalry. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence that the team’s recent success would help them in the playoffs.
What’s at stake
The winner of this short, best-of-three series moves on to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Division Series beginning next weekend. With home-field advantage in this Wild Card Series, the Yankees hold a scheduling edge but will face a Red Sox team that outplayed them head-to-head during the regular season.
How the teams reached this point
New York’s strong finish included an eight-game win streak that helped deliver the Wild Card berth and home-field status for this matchup. Boston rebounded after a slow start with a six-game winning streak and clinched a Wild Card spot with a 4-3 victory over Detroit, their first Wild Card appearance since 2021.
Short-term outlook
Both clubs will lean on their left-handed Game 1 starters to set the tone. The Yankees’ lineup and bullpen depth will be tested against a Red Sox team that has shown the ability to score and win in head-to-head meetings. Injuries and roster availability, such as the absence of Roman Anthony for Boston, will factor into managers’ decisions for these short series matchups.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the series begin?
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will begin their best-of-three American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday, September 30.
Where and when is Game 1?
The first game will take place at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx at 6:08 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.
What were the Yankees’ regular-season record and situation?
The Yankees finished the regular season with a 94-68 record, identical to last year’s mark, but lost the AL East title to the Toronto Blue Jays due to a tiebreaker.
How did the Blue Jays perform relative to the Yankees?
The Blue Jays also posted a 94-68 record and won the season series against the Yankees 8-5.
How did the Red Sox clinch a postseason spot?
The Red Sox clinched an AL Wild Card spot for the first time since 2021 after a close 4-3 win against the Detroit Tigers.
Which pitchers are projected for the series?
The projected starting pitchers for Game 1 are Max Fried (Yankees) and Garrett Crochet (Red Sox), both left-handed pitchers with successful seasons.
Who are other probable pitchers for upcoming games?
Probable pitchers for upcoming games include Carlos Rodón (Yankees) for Game 2 and Brayan Bello (Red Sox), with Lucas Giolito also expected for Game 3.
What is the historical postseason record between these clubs?
The Yankees and Red Sox split their 24 postseason matchups historically.
What notable roster issue affects the Red Sox?
The Red Sox will be without rookie standout Roman Anthony, who is sidelined with an oblique injury.
What is at stake for the series winner?
The winner of this Wild Card Series will advance to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the Divisional Round starting next weekend.
Quick reference table
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Venue | TV | Yankees Probable Starter | Red Sox Probable Starter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Tuesday, September 30 | 6:08 p.m. | Yankee Stadium (Bronx) | ESPN | Max Fried | Garrett Crochet | Best-of-three AL Wild Card Series opener |
| Game 2 | Wednesday, October 1 (if needed) | TBD | Yankee Stadium (if needed) | TBD | Carlos Rodón | Brayan Bello | Probable Game 2 starters named |
| Game 3 | Thursday, October 2 (if needed) | TBD | Yankee Stadium (if needed) | TBD | Lucas Giolito (expected) | TBD | Deciding game if series tied 1-1 |
Season records: Yankees 94-68; Red Sox 89-73. Head-to-head (regular season): Red Sox won 9 of 13 and outscored the Yankees 66-51. Blue Jays relation: Blue Jays posted a 94-68 record and won the season series against the Yankees 8-5.
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Additional Resources
- New York Times: Yankees vs. Red Sox Wild Card Preview
- MLB: Red Sox Secure 2nd AL Wild Card Spot
- CBS Sports: Yankees vs. Red Sox Wild Card Series Schedule
- Google Search: Yankees Red Sox Wild Card Series
- Wikipedia: New York Yankees
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
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