Yankees sweep Red Sox in Wild Card, advance to ALDS against Rays
The New York Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox in the 2026 AL Wild Card Series, winning Game 2 9-2 at Yankee Stadium to advance to the AL Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. After a 9-0 shutout in Game 1, the Yankees dominated again, with Cody Bellinger hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning. The Red Sox, who had not scored a run in their first 13 playoff innings, finally broke through in the sixth but could not overcome the deficit. This marks the second consecutive year the two teams met in the Wild Card round.
Key points
- Yankees won Game 2 9-2, completing a sweep of the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Series.
- Cody Bellinger hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning to put the game away.
- Aaron Judge, who missed the series with a calf strain, celebrated in the clubhouse and cited inspiration from the Knicks.
- Garrett Crochet returned from a shoulder injury but gave up three runs on four hits without recording an out.
- The Red Sox had not scored a run in their first 13 playoff innings before breaking through in the sixth.
- The Yankees will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Division Series starting Saturday.
Background
The Yankees and Red Sox met in the 2026 AL Wild Card Series starting September 29 at Yankee Stadium. Boston, the No. 2 AL wild-card seed, faced New York, the No. 1 seed, in a rematch of last year’s three-game loss. The Red Sox had overcome a 14-game deficit to reach the postseason, while the Yankees faced injury concerns for key hitters like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
How outlets are covering it
The New York Post emphasized the stark contrast between the Yankees' champagne celebration and the Red Sox's dejection, highlighting Aaron Judge's motivation from the Knicks and Cody Bellinger's praise for the electric atmosphere at Yankee Stadium. NESN focused on the Red Sox's perspective, with manager Chad Tracy acknowledging that despite a strong summer, the goal was to win the World Series, which ended with the loss. NESN noted that Tracy took out starting pitchers early in both games, and the Yankees outscored Boston 18-2 in the series. The Post highlighted Garrett Crochet's frustration, while NESN pointed out that Cam Schlittler and Max Fried shut down the Red Sox’s hottest hitters.
Why it matters
The Yankees' sweep of the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series advances them to the AL Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, continuing their playoff run. For the Red Sox, the loss ends their postseason hopes after a dramatic mid-season turnaround, highlighting the gap between regular-season success and playoff performance. The series also marks the second consecutive year the two teams met in the Wild Card round, underscoring the rivalry between the clubs.
What to watch
The Yankees will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Division Series starting Saturday. The Red Sox will wait until Spring Training to begin their next season, having ended their postseason hopes after a strong regular-season run.
- Yankees go wild in champagne celebration as Red Sox star feels ‘like s–t’ in duality of clubhouses New York Post
- Yankees send Red Sox home again, move on to face Rays in ALDS ESPN
- The end of this Red Sox season feels just like last year. Maybe worse. The Boston Globe
- The New York Yankees did not need Aaron Judge to sweep the Red Sox Yahoo Sports
- Red Sox Manager Chad Tracy Shares Honest Take on Team's Season After Wild Card Loss to Yankees NESN
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