The Wild Card matchup between the two rivals begins on Tuesday in New York.
For the second consecutive season, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees will face off in the Wild Card round at Yankee Stadium. Ahead of Sunday afternoon’s regular-season finale, New York finalized its rotation for the three-game set.
Here’s what you need to know:
Game one: Cam Schlittler (14-6, 1.95 ERA)
After a week of mind games and overthinking, Yankees manager Aaron Boone has settled on the obvious choice for his game-one starter: likely American League Cy Young Award winner Cam Schlittler.
A native of Walpole, Mass., the 25-year-old right-hander has done everything in his power to reignite the rivalry of years past. To put it lightly, Schlittler has dominated the Boston offense and, on several occasions, taken to social media to exchange jabs with Boston fans.
Oct 2, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) pumps his fist as he leaves the field after pitching the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game three of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesSchlittler made his first appearance against his hometown team in Game 3 of the 2025 Wild Card series, completely shutting down the Boston lineup over eight shutout innings in which he struck out 12. That success has continued into 2026 where he's allowed only two earned runs (seven overall) in 24.1 innings, striking out 27 and walking only nine in four starts against the Red Sox.
Game two: Max Fried (5-5, 2.80 ERA)
The veteran Fried was kicked around as New York's Game 1 starter before the team ultimately landed on Schlittler. In an injury-shortened 2026, the 32-year-old left-hander has been lights-out for New York, posting a 2.80 ERA in 20 starts. In two starts against Boston in 2026, Fried allowed only one earned run on six hits, striking out 13 and walking only one over 11.2 innings.
Sep 22, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) reacts during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesNow in his 10th big-league season, Fried has struggled in the postseason, dating back to his time with the Atlanta Braves. In 22 postseason appearances (14 starts), the 32-year-old has posted a 5.31 ERA. Despite those struggles, Fried tossed 6.1 shutout innings against the Red Sox in game one of the 2025 Wild Card matchup.
Game three: Gerrit Cole (10-9, 3.61 ERA)
After missing the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner returned to the mound on May 22. Now 36 years old, Cole has struggled to return to his pre-injury form, posting a 3.61 ERA in 22 starts in 2026.
Over his now 13-year big-league career, Cole has struggled mightily against the Red Sox lineup, posting a 5.30 ERA in 20 starts. Those struggles continued in his lone start against Boston in 2026, when the Red Sox offense got to him for four earned runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings in Boston's 4-1 win on June 27.
Sep 14, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) reacts during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesDespite those struggles both in 2026 and against the Red Sox as a whole, Cole boasts a strong track record of postseason success, posting a 2.77 ERA over 22 starts.
As for who Schlittler, Fried, and Cole will be up against? Red Sox manager Chad Tracy has kept his pitching plans close to the vest; however, we do know that the trio of Payton Tolle, Sonny Gray, and Ranger Suarez will be the three starters.
The Red Sox and Yankees will square off in game one of three from Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.
