Perhaps that’s because the stakes always feel a little higher when these ancient rivals meet. And in three of their six previous playoff meetings – 1999, 2004 and 2018 – the winner has gone on to win the World Series.
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That feels a little bit like a stretch this season. The winner of this American League best-of-three wild-card series, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 29, advances to face the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays. Then, the AL Championship Series.
And then, with a lot of luck along the way, the World Series.
That’s not to say this is an undercard of pretenders. The Yankees (93-68) and Red Sox (87-75) have been locked into their Nos. 4-5 seeds for quite some time, the Red Sox needing a startling 21-4 July to overcome a grim beginning.
Now, though, they’re on equal footing – even as New York enjoys home-field advantage at Yankee Stadium.
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Left-hander Payton Tolle will start for Boston, hoping to replicate exactly what his counterpart, Cam Schlittler, did for New York last year: Dominate the archrivals as a rookie. That task will be made a little easier minus Aaron Judge, expectedly ruled out with a bad calf. Yet right-handed slugger Giancarlo Stanton is back for his first games since an April calf injury.
For Boston, Garrett Crochet also returns after a balky shoulder shelved him in April. All those stars should be even healthier down the road – if their team is fortunate enough to survive this prelude.
Where to watch Yankees vs Red Sox: Channel, live stream
The Yankees host the Red Sox on Tuesday, Sept. 29. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Red Sox vs Yankees box score
Red Sox lineup vs Yankees
Yankees lineup vs Red Sox
Is Aaron Judge playing for Yankees vs Red Sox?
No. The Yankees slugger and reigning American League MVP will not play in the AL wild-card series. Judge suffered a moderate right calf strain and he was left off the team’s roster for the three-game set.
Is Garrett Crochet playing for Red Sox vs Yankees?
Yes. The Red Sox ace, who has not pitched since April 25, was one of 12 pitchers named to Boston’s staff. Crochet only recently began throwing bullpen sessions, and he might only be available for a single inning – or even just three batters. Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said Monday that the club did not know if he could pitch on consecutive days, among other boxes that need checking.
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Where is Yankees vs Red Sox?
06:18 PM ET, September 29 2026, Jesse Yomtov
The best-of-three American League wild card series is being played at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
The Yankees also hosted the Red Sox in last year’s wild card series, with New York prevailing in three games.
05:50 PM ET, September 29 2026, Jesse Yomtov
The Red Sox’s rookie left-hander made two starts against the New York Yankees in the regular season, giving up just one run in 13 innings, striking out 18 for a 0.69 ERA.
1 / 7
MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
The Philadelphia Phillies line up before the game against the Atlanta Braves in game one of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026 in Atlanta. The MLB postseason has arrived as the thrills of playoff baseball in the fall has fans ecstatic to watch every moment unfold.
(Edward M. Pio Roda, Getty Images)
1 / 7
MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
The Philadelphia Phillies line up before the game against the Atlanta Braves in game one of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026 in Atlanta. The MLB postseason has arrived as the thrills of playoff baseball in the fall has fans ecstatic to watch every moment unfold.
(Edward M. Pio Roda, Getty Images)
2 / 7
MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
A detailed view of Philadelphia Phillies equipment in the dugout before the game against the Atlanta Braves in game one of the American League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
3 / 7
MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
Ha-Seong Kim of the Atlanta Braves is introduced before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026 in Atlanta.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
4 / 7
MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
A general view before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026 in Atlanta.
(Edward M. Pio Roda, Getty Images)
5 / 7
MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner is tagged out by Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim in the third inning during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
6 / 7
MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) throws out Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Derek Hill (49) in the third inning during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
7 / 7
MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber breaks his bat in the third inning during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
Cam Schlittler vs Red Sox stats
05:20 PM ET, September 29 2026, Jesse Yomtov
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Oct 2, 2025 (AL Wild Card Game 3 vs. BOS): Win (W) — 8.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 12 SO, 0 HR
Apr 23, 2026 (Regular Season at BOS): Win (W) — 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO, 1 HR
Jun 7, 2026 (Regular Season vs. BOS): No Decision — 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR
Jun 25, 2026 (Regular Season at BOS): Loss (L) — 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 1 HR
Aug 28, 2026 (Regular Season vs. BOS): Win (W) — 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR
Aaron Judge injury, Yankees playoff roster
04:45 PM ET, September 29 2026, Jesse Yomtov
The New York Yankees will have to survive their American League wild-card series against the Boston Red Sox without Aaron Judge.
Judge was playing in just his seventh game after returning from a rib fracture when he suffered the injury Sept. 16 in Minnesota. He aimed to make it back for the wild-card round – Games 2 and 3, if necessary, will be Wednesday and Thrusday at Yankee Stadium – and Boone initially said it was highly unlikely Judge would be available. The 6-7 slugger pushed back on that assertion, and Boone noted that “hopefully we move on. His body will tell us that.”
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The reigning American League MVP will not play in the best-of-three set because of a moderate right calf strain and he was left off their roster when the Yankees submitted it Tuesday, Sept. 29.
The Yankees did receive some good news: Giancarlo Stanton, who hasn’t played since April 24, made the Yankees wild-card roster after recovering from both right and left calf injuries.
– Gabe Lacques
Yankees vs Red Sox predictions
04:30 PM ET, September 29 2026, Jesse Yomtov
Bob Nightengale: Yankees in 3
Gabe Lacques: Yankees in 2
Kristie Ackert: Yankees in 3
Jesse Yomtov: Yankees in 3
1 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No. 10. T-Mobile Park, Seattle: This ballpark fits perfectly in the Northwest with the nearby mountains, skyline and water. It features an “umbrella-style” retractable roof that doesn’t enclose the park, only stopping the rain, while enabling fans to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
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1 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No. 10. T-Mobile Park, Seattle: This ballpark fits perfectly in the Northwest with the nearby mountains, skyline and water. It features an “umbrella-style” retractable roof that doesn’t enclose the park, only stopping the rain, while enabling fans to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No. 9. Camden Yards, Baltimore: Meet the godfather, with its famous B&O Warehouse. This is the original retro-classic ballpark that not only dramatically influenced the look of new stadiums, but changed the fabric of some major cities. Denver, Cleveland, San Francisco and San Diego followed its lead and built downtown ballparks that completely invigorated growth.
(James A. Pittman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No. 8. Coors Field, Denver: The team may stink but the ballpark is so beautiful and the vibe is so cool that it’s become a destination on its own. There’s a purple row of seats signifying the mile-high altitude, and the bullpen could be mistaken for a forest with its trees and running stream. The right-field upper-deck is the hottest bar in Denver.
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4 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No. 7. Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles: This is the most serene setting in baseball, nestled into the hillside of Chavez Ravine. It has a view of the San Gabriel Mountains beyond the outfield, and downtown Los Angeles behind home plate. It’s hard to believe it was built in 1962 and even though it holds 56,000 fans, it still feels intimate.
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5 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No. 6. Oracle Park, San Francisco: This ballpark has the second-best view in baseball behind PNC Park with its bay backdrop and splash-down hits in McCovey Cove, but only if you happen to sit in the upper deck. The park is already showing its age and its concourses are narrow and cramped, making it difficult to move around, with the Giants already out-growing the place and badly needing more space.
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6 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No. 5. Petco Park, San Diego: This gorgeous park doesn’t quite have the stunning views as Pittsburgh or San Francisco, but it’s pretty darn close. The architecture is beautiful and the old Western Metal Company warehouse in left-field gives it a retro look. It also happens to be located in the heart of the lively Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego.
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7 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No. 4. Target Field, Minneapolis: This may be the most impressive urban design in baseball on its downtown eight-acre site with freeways and trains outside the park, and warehouses to the left. It also has an ultra-modern look inside, with a 360-degree open concourse, that celebrates the club’s glorious history. Its nod to the retro look is the iconic neon Minnie and Paul home-run sign featuring two ballplayers shaking hands over the Mississippi River representing the Twin Cities.
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8 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No 3. PNC Park, Pittsburgh: The most gorgeous ballpark in America. Forget the game on the field. You want to be sitting in the upper deck taking in the view of the Clemente Bridge, the Pittsburgh skyline and the Allegheny River. It’s magnificent.
(Charles LeClaire, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No. 2. Wrigley Field, Chicago: There’s not a more beautiful sight than walking into the ballpark and taking your first look at that beautiful green grass, the ivy on the walls and the iconic scoreboard in center field. Taking in a Friday afternoon game, hitting Murphy Bleachers afterward, and enjoying the Chicago nightlife is utopia for any baseball fan.
(Patrick Gorski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10 / 10
Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider
No. 1 Fenway Park, Boston: No ballpark in America has the romantic feel or the unique quirks of Fenway Park, from the Green Monster to Pesky’s Pole. It’s not a baseball game, but a religious experience watching games at Fenway.
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