The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series, earning their first postseason series win over their archrivals since 2003.
The game was billed as a pitchers’ duel between two rookie hurlers: the Red Sox’s Connelly Early and the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler, and both delivered early on.
Early was composed through the first three innings, even working around a Giancarlo Stanton double in the second that nearly left the park. Stanton thought it was gone, but had to hustle to second after realizing the ball stayed in. Early escaped without damage.
Singles Night in the Fourth
But things unraveled for Early in the bottom of the fourth. The Yankees led the MLB with home runs this season (274), but three singles changed the course of the game.
Cody Bellinger dropped a bloop into shallow center that fell between three outfielders, hustling into second for a leadoff double. Early momentarily regained control by striking out Ben Rice with a sharp sweeper.
But Stanton worked a walk, and Amed Rosario broke the deadlock with a line-drive single to left that scored Bellinger. Jazz Chisholm followed with a single to right, moving Stanton and Rosario into scoring position. Anthony Volpe then hit a dribbler past second baseman Romy González to drive in Stanton, making it 2–0 Yankees.
With the bases loaded and one out, Austin Wells hit a chopper toward Nathaniel Lowe at first. The ball skipped under his glove, allowing both Rosario and Chisholm to cross the plate and extend New York’s lead to 4–0. Boston manager Alex Cora then took Early out of the game.
Justin Slaten came in the game and hit Aaron Judge on the wrist and then got Bellinger to fly out to center to end the rally.
Schlittler Brings the Heat
Schlittler, the other half of the rookie duel on the mound, was dominant from start to finish. He went eight innings, striking out 12 and allowing just five hits.
His only trouble came in the top of the fifth, when he allowed back-to-back singles to Lowe and González. With two on and two out, he escaped the jam by blowing a 99.9 mph fastball past Jarren Duran — one of several heaters that consistently hovered around 100 mph.
Schlittler only allowed one hitter to get to second base during his eight innings of work. It was an altogether heroic performance for a 24-year-old making his postseason debut at Yankee Stadium.
Cam Schlittler vs. Red Sox (10/2/25)
— 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 12 K, 0 BB, 107 pitches
On to Toronto
The Yankees now face the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series. The best-of-five series kicks off on Saturday at Rogers Centre.
The Blue Jays won the 2025 season series against the Yankees, 8–5, including a dominant 6–1 record at home that ultimately swung the division in their favor and gave them the home-field advantage in the ALDS.
Yankees vs. Blue Jays: ALDS Schedule and Tickets
Game 1: Saturday, October 4, 2025 | Time: TBA | Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto | Tickets
Game 2: Sunday, October 5, 2025 | Time: 4:08 PM Eastern | Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto | Tickets
Game 3: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 | Time: TBA | Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx | Tickets
Game 4*: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | Time: TBA | Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx | Tickets
Game 5*: Friday, October 10, 2025 | Time: TBA | Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto | Tickets
* if necessary
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