NEW YORK - The good vibes engendered by the Boston Red Sox's stirring second-half run are in danger of vanishing for good.
And the New York Yankees are poised to set themselves up in near-optimal position for an American League Division Series battle against the division champion Tampa Bay Rays.
First, though: Game 2 of the AL wild-card series, with the Yankees getting two shots to eliminate the Red Sox beginning Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Yankee Stadium.
Sonny Gray anticipates getting a loud and not particularly polite greeting from fans in the Bronx as he starts Game 2 trying to keep the Red Sox alive. The right-hander who pitched for the Yankees in 2017 and 2018 said upon the Red Sox acquiring him late last year that it was "easy to hate" the Yankees.
He'll find out just how easy that sentiment can be reciprocated.
Meanwhile, left-hander Max Fried will try to pitch the Yankees into the ALDS and should he and the bullpen succeed, the club is in great shape against the Rays: Right-hander Gerrit Cole will be ready for Game 1, Saturday, followed by an off day that lines up ace Cam Schlittler, with an extra days' rest, to boot.
New York is aiming to eliminate Boston in this round for the second consecutive season.
Follow along:
Where to watch Yankees vs Red Sox: Channel, live stream
First pitch between the Yankees and Red Sox is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
Watch the MLB Postseason on Peacock
Yankees lineup today
03:42 PM ET, September 30 2026, Jesse Yomtov- Ben Rice (L) DH
- Cody Bellinger (L) LF
- Luis García Jr. (L) 1B
- Spencer Jones (L) RF
- George Lombard Jr. (R) SS
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B
- Trent Grisham (L) CF
- Austin Wells (L) C
- Ryan McMahon (L) 3B
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yankees vs Red Sox LIVE updates for bitter rivals' clash in AL wild card playoff Game 2
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