The Red Sox are in danger of watching their season come to a close in Yankee Stadium for the second consecutive year. The offense showed zero signs of life as the Yankees cruised to a 9-0 victory headlined by 10 strikeouts from growing Red Sox killer Cam Schlittler. Payton Tolle did enough on the mound as the Game 1 starter. His team was clearly just unable to do their part around them.
Now, the Red Sox fall into the need of a historic response given that just 3 of 24 teams to lose the opener in the Wild
Card round have come back to win the series. For starters, Boston sends 18-game winner Sonny Gray to the mound. He flirted with a no-hitter the last time he faced New York in June and tallied a 1.98 ERA against the Yankees in 2026.
The Yankees counter with Max Fried, who has battled some inconsistencies in his ramp-up period from an injury return. The southpaw does have a sparkling 1.93 career ERA against the Red Sox in addition to a brilliant start in Game 1 last year with 6 1/3 scoreless innings, which his bullpen ruined in Boston’s 3-1 victory. To best combat the talented lefty, Jahmai Jones slots in leading off as the designated hitter. Caleb Durbin moves up to the sixth spot and Nate Eaton – another right-handed bat – gets the nod in left field.
After being shut out in consecutive postseason games, the Red Sox must find a way to score runs and now do so without Roman Anthony, who will come off the ALWC roster with new and aggravated injuries in his right hand. It’s an uphill challenge undoubtedly, though it’s one Boston must be ready for in order to extend the season.
Today’s Lineups
Red Sox:
Yankees:
⚾️ First Pitch: 8:00pm — Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York.
📺 TV: NBC (and streaming on Peacock)
📻 Radio: WEEI, ESPN Radio,SiriusXM,iHeartRadio
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