Yankees vs Red Sox Wild Card Showdown: Everything You Need to Know About MLB's Greatest Rivalry Playoff Battle 2025
Yankees vs Red Sox Wild Card Series 2025: The Ultimate Rivalry Renewed in MLB Playoffs
The baseball world holds its breath as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox prepare to clash in the 2025 AL Wild Card Series, reigniting one of sports' most storied rivalries on the biggest stage. Get ready for another Red Sox-Yankees playoff series. The two AL East foes will square off in the American League Wild Card round, adding another chapter to their heated rivalry.
Series Schedule: Yankees vs Red Sox Wild Card 2025
Every game of the Red Sox-Yankees best-of-three Wild Card series will be played at Yankee Stadium, with Game 1 set for Tuesday. Here's the complete schedule for this epic showdown:
- Game 1: Tuesday, September 30 - 6:08 PM ET at Yankee Stadium (ESPN)
- Game 2: Wednesday, October 1 - 6:08 PM ET at Yankee Stadium (ESPN)
- Game 3 (if needed): Thursday, October 2 - 6:08 PM ET at Yankee Stadium (ESPN)
Starting Pitching Matchups That Will Define the Series
Game 1: Garrett Crochet vs Max Fried
Garrett Crochet will make his first-ever playoff start for Boston on Tuesday, after he went 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and an MLB-high 255 strikeouts during the regular season. The Red Sox ace has been dominant against the Yankees this year, going 3-0 in his four starts against the Yankees, holding New York hitters to a .200 batting average against with 39 strikeouts over his 27.1 innings pitched.
For the Yankees, Max Fried went 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA during his first season in The Bronx after signing with New York in the offseason. This matchup between two elite lefties promises to be a pitcher's duel that could set the tone for the entire series.
Game 2 and Beyond
Brayan Bello will start for Boston in Game 2, expected to face Carlos Rodón. Bello went 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA across his three starts against the Yankees. Rodón allowed 10 runs in three starts against Boston, losing twice. He won his final start against the Red Sox on August 24, tossing 5.2 innings and allowing two earned runs.
Key Players to Watch
Jazz Chisholm Jr. - Yankees' Dynamic Force
The Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been electric in his first full season in pinstripes. He earned his first All-Star selection as a member of the Yankees and was an elite power and speed threat, joining the 30/30 club (30+ home runs and 30+ stolen bases). Throughout 130 games this year, the 27-year-old posted a .242 batting average, .332 on-base percentage, .813 OPS, 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases.
Despite injury concerns late in the regular season, "Jazz Chisholm Jr. is good to go tomorrow," wrote Gary Phillips of New York Daily News. His presence in the lineup gives the Yankees a crucial speed and power dimension.
Aaron Judge - AL Batting Champion
"These last couple of weeks were pretty fun," said Aaron Judge, who finished the regular season with a .331 average to claim the AL's batting title. The 6-foot-7 Judge also paced the Majors in on-base percentage (.457) and slugging percentage (.688) while becoming the tallest batting champ in Major League history. His 53 home runs are the most in Major League history for any player to win the batting title.
Regular Season Dominance: Red Sox Edge
The regular season series heavily favored Boston. The Red Sox went 9-4 against the Yankees in the regular season, including a 5-2 record in the Bronx. This gives Boston significant confidence heading into an all-Yankee Stadium series.
The Red Sox won nine of 13 head-to-head games against the Yankees and outscored them by a margin of 66-51. However, playoff baseball is a different beast, and both teams know that regular season records often mean little in October.
Team Momentum and Recent Form
Yankees' Late Surge
The Yankees won eight straight to close the regular season to finish 94-68. The Yankees will enjoy no breather this October, instead diving straight into postseason action in the American League Wild Card Series, which is set to begin on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.
Red Sox's Strategic Acquisitions
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow set the tone for the team's resurgence in the offseason, acquiring an ace in Garrett Crochet, a stud closer in Aroldis Chapman and a veteran right-handed bat in Alex Bregman. These moves have positioned Boston perfectly for their playoff push.
Historical Context: A Rivalry for the Ages
Despite having a rivalry that goes back a century, this will be just the sixth time the Red Sox and the Yankees meet in the playoffs. The two teams are 12-12 against each other in the postseason. Boston and New York last met in the playoffs in the 2021 American League Wild Card Game, which the Red Sox won, 6-2, at Fenway Park.
As far as a playoff series, the two teams last met in the ALDS in 2018, which Boston won three games to one en route to a World Series title. The historical significance of this matchup cannot be overstated.
Where to Watch Yankees vs Red Sox
All games will be broadcast on ESPN, with first pitch scheduled for 6:08 PM ET. The series represents must-watch television for baseball fans, featuring two of MLB's most iconic franchises battling for survival.
Streaming options include:
- ESPN app with cable subscription
- ESPN+ for authenticated users
- MLB.TV (subject to blackout restrictions)
- Hulu + Live TV
- YouTube TV
- Sling TV
Expert Predictions and Analysis
Yankees: This is the best offense in baseball. The Bombers lead MLB in runs, homers, slugging percentage and OPS. Aaron Judge is either going to win MVP or almost win MVP. The Yankees' offensive firepower makes them dangerous in any short series.
However, In Crochet and Chapman, the Red Sox have arguably the best ace/closer combination of all the teams in the postseason. Both power lefties have mowed through the opposition all season, giving Boston the confidence the duo can continue to get the job done in October.
Supporting Cast: Role Players Who Could Make the Difference
Yankees' Depth
- Giancarlo Stanton - Veteran power threat with postseason experience
- Trent Grisham - Breakout season provides additional lineup depth
- Cody Bellinger - Former MVP finding his groove at the right time
- Ben Rice - Wrapped his first full Major League season with 26 homers and 65 RBIs in 138 games
Red Sox's Key Contributors
- Alex Bregman - Veteran presence and clutch hitting
- Trevor Story - When healthy, a game-changing shortstop
- Rob Refsnyder - Reliable outfield option
- Aroldis Chapman - Elite closer with championship experience
The X-Factors
Several key elements could swing this series:
- Bullpen Performance: Fernando Cruz, whose splitter baffled hitters in the first half but hasn't been as effective recently. The names are big, the pedigrees are impressive, but when it gets late and tense in October, does this Yankees 'pen have what it takes?
- Home Field Advantage: All games at Yankee Stadium give New York a significant edge, though Boston's 5-2 record in the Bronx this season proves they're not intimidated.
- Managerial Chess Match: Aaron Boone vs. Alex Cora represents one of baseball's best tactical battles.
Final Thoughts: October Baseball at Its Finest
The Yankees vs Red Sox Wild Card Series promises to deliver everything fans love about October baseball: elite pitching matchups, superstar performances, and the weight of history hanging over every pitch. "We've got a rowdy crowd out there, a rowdy group that's been behind us all year long," Judge said. "Even in our tough times in the summer, they were still showing out in numbers, supporting us. They're definitely going to be excited for a Yankees-Red Sox postseason matchup, that's for sure."
With both teams featuring MVP-caliber players, dominant pitchers, and the motivation of advancing in the playoffs, this Wild Card Series has all the ingredients for an instant classic. Whether you're following Garrett Crochet's strikeout prowess, Max Fried's command, Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s speed and power, or Aaron Judge's pursuit of postseason redemption, this series offers compelling storylines at every turn.
As these two titans of the American League East prepare for battle, one thing is certain: baseball fans are in for a treat. The Yankees and Red Sox are set to add another unforgettable chapter to their legendary rivalry.