Yankees steamroll Red Sox 9-0 in AL Wild Card opener

Key points

• Yankees won 9-0, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three AL Wild Card series.
• Cam Schlittler threw 117 pitches, recording 10 strikeouts and allowing only two hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings.
• Ben Rice went 4-for-5 with two home runs and six RBIs, including an eighth-inning grand slam.
• Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, at 8 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium, featuring Max Fried vs. Sonny Gray.
• Tickets for Game 2 start at $155, and the game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.

Background

The Yankees and Red Sox met in the 2025 AL Wild Card series, where New York won the series after losing Game 1. In the 2026 regular season, the Yankees had a strong late-season run, including a 16-1 rout of Boston on August 31, which helped them secure their playoff spot. The current series is a best-of-three, with the winner advancing to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Division Series.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post emphasized the 'perfectly scripted' nature of the Yankees' win, highlighting the cohesive team effort and Schlittler's dominance. USA Today focused on the ticket sales and the performance of Schlittler and Rice, noting the high price of tickets starting at $155. Over the Monster provided a detailed breakdown of the lineups and the narrative of the 'future clashing with the present' between the young pitchers, Schlittler and Tolle, while also noting the strategic platoon decisions made by both managers.

Why it matters

This win gives the Yankees a significant advantage in the best-of-three series, as they only need one more win to advance to the AL Division Series. The performance of Schlittler and Rice sets a high bar for the Red Sox to overcome in Game 2, especially with the high-stakes nature of the series and the potential for elimination after just two games.

What to watch

Game 2 of the AL Wild Card series is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, at 8 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. Max Fried will start for the Yankees against Sonny Gray for the Red Sox. The winner of the series will advance to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Division Series.