After suffering a Game 1 loss, the New York Yankees won the next two games in dramatic and dominant fashion, respectively, to beat the Boston Red Sox in the 2025 American League (AL) Wild Card (best of three) Series.
The series win sends the Yankees to the AL Division Series to face the Toronto Blue Jays, a team that just barely edged them out for the AL East division title in the regular season.
Game 1: Crochet Shuts Down New York
In Game 1, Red Sox starting left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet was nearly untouchable: in 7.2 innings, he struck out 11 batters, while allowing just four hits and no walks. The only hit he gave up was to Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe homered in the second inning; but Boston responded five innings later, as pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida delivered a two-run single in the seventh to put Boston ahead 2–1. Third baseman Alex Bregman added an insurance RBI double in the ninth to secure the win and 1-0 series lead for the Red Sox.
Boston’s left-handed closer, Aroldis Chapman, escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth to preserve a 3–1 win. Crochet’s performance was one to remember, as he retired 17 straight batters at one point to completely silence the Yankees’ offense.
Game 2: Wells Delivers Go-Ahead Knock to Even the Series
Game 2 flipped the series around. Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the eight with two outs, the Yankees refused to go quietly.
After second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. drew a walk, catcher Austin Wells stepped up and ripped a game-tying RBI single to right field. With the crowd roaring, the Yankees got the final three outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to force a Game 3 vs their rivals. Boston’s bullpen, who looked solid in Game 1, fell apart late this time out.
Matt Ambrose, the assistant athletics director for digital media and communications at SHU, is a longtime Red Sox fan. He reflected on the first two games of the series, and shared his frustration with the result after the team won the first game on the road.
“I knew this series was going to be tough, especially having to play on the road,” Ambrose said. “It was a frustrating result, especially after winning an exciting Game One.”
“The second game was right there for the taking,” he added. “But the Red Sox made far too many simple mistakes, which unfortunately has been a problem for this team over the last fewseasons.”
Game 3: Super Cam Shuts Down Boston
Before Game 3 even began, Yankees rookie right-handed pitcher Cam Schlittler found himself in the middle of a social media storm.
In a pregame interview, he mentioned that he had converted his entire family from Red Sox to Yankee fans. The internet did not react kindly to this, calling them “fake fans,” questioning their loyalty, and even harassing some of Schlittler’s family online. Instead of letting the noise get to him, Schlittler used it as fuel. When he took the mound, it was clear he was ready to prove himself.
Schlittler delivered the performance of his life. He threw eight shutout innings, allowing only five hits while striking out twelve and walking none. From his very first pitch, he had complete command over the game. His fastball exploded out of his hand, and his breaking ball consistently fooled Boston’s hitters. Every time the Red Sox got a runner on base, Schlittler found a way out of it, as he mixed pitches and kept his composure like a seasoned veteran.
The Yankees gave their young star plenty of support as their offense came alive in the bottom of the fourth inning. After outfielder Cody Bellinger got things started for them with a single, third baseman Amed Rosario followed with a clutch RBI to bring in the first run. Volpe then singled to score designated hitter (DH) Giancarlo Stanton, and a costly error by Boston’s first baseman allowed two more runs to cross the plate. By the time the inning ended, New York had built a 4–0 lead.
From there, Schlittler took over completely. He continued to mow down the Red Sox hitters, as he retired batter after batter with confidence. When he finally left the mound after the eighth inning, Yankee Stadium erupted in applause. Right-handed closer David Bednar came in to finish the job, as he closed out the ninth to secure the 4–0 victory and the series win.
It was a storybook ending for Cam Schlittler, who turned criticism into motivation and delivered one of the best postseason performances Yankee fans have seen in years. What started as internet backlash turned into a night that will be remembered in the Bronx for a long time.
Boston’s Season Reflections
Despite the loss, Ambrose believes the Red Sox overachieved after underperforming in the beginning of the season.
“Heading into the season, this team was actually expected to perform better than a Wild Card exit,” he said. However, an unimpressive start and some injuries got the team off to a rough start.”
Ambrose praised the Red Sox’s pitching staff for helping overcome the team’s early season struggles.
“The pitching staff really helped turn things around,” he said. “ Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito all pitched brilliantly”
He also mentioned two moves the Red Sox made this season: the addition of outfielder Roman Anthony, the No.1 prospect in baseball, who was called up from the minor leagues; and the departure of All-Star DH Rafael Devers. Ambrose praised the former while criticizing the latter.
“The insertion of Roman Anthony into the lineup in early June was a huge boost,” he said. “I hated the Devers trade when it happened— and I still hate it now—but I understand the logic behind it.”
Yankees Head to Toronto
Now, the Yankees turn their focus to Toronto, the team that won the AL East and the regular-season series over them. The Yankees have made it clear they want revenge, and with their pitching hot and lineup clicking, they enter the ALDS with confidence and energy. If this Wild Card series is any sign, October baseball in the Bronx is just getting started.
The Yankees suffered a brutal 10-1 loss to the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the series—but if they have come back from this deficit before, they can do it again. They will look to tie the series later today at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Jaden Highsmith is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu.
