Yankees Beat Red Sox 4-1 in AL Wild Card Game 3, Rookie Cam Schlittler Wins

When Cam Schlittler, rookie right‑hander of the New York Yankees took the mound at Yankee Stadium on October 2, 2025, the atmosphere crackled like a live wire. The Yankees were trailing 1‑0 after three innings, but a four‑run explosion in the fourth sealed a 4‑1 victory over the Boston Red Sox in AL Wild Card Game 3Yankee Stadium. The win pushes New York to a 2‑1 series lead and puts them one step away from the next playoff round.

Context: A Rookie‑Heavy Rotation Shapes the Postseason

New York’s rotation this October reads like a scouting report on the future of baseball. Besides Schlittler, the Yankees have leaned on Luis Castillo and Tony Gonsolin, both under a year in the majors. The strategy has paid off; each has posted sub‑3.00 ERAs in the regular season, and they’ve all logged double‑digit strikeout totals in the playoffs so far.

Across the way, Boston entered Game 3 with veteran left‑hander Connelly Early on the hill. Early, drafted out of Texas in 2022, earned a reputation for a pinpoint fastball but has yet to taste postseason success. The stark contrast—young firepower versus seasoned experience—set the tone for a classic AL showdown.

Game‑by‑Game Breakdown: How the Yankees Took Control

The first inning was a pitchers’ duel. Schlittler’s first batter, Giancarlo Stanton, ripped a 114.5 mph double to left‑center that would become the catalyst for the fourth‑inning rally. He was immediately followed by Amed Rosario, who drove a single that brought Cody Bellinger home, giving the Yankees a 1‑0 lead.

Boston answered in the top of the third with a solo shot from Rafael Devers, but the damage was already done. The Yankees answered back two outs later when Anthony Volpe doubled, scoring Stanton and moving Rosario to third. Jazz Chisholm Jr. then reached on a fielder’s choice, and the stage was set for the decisive inning.

The fourth inning unfolded like a lesson in aggressive baserunning. After Austin Wells singled, Nathaniel Lowe—Boston’s first baseman—mis‑fielded a sharply hit ball, allowing both Chisholm and Rosario to dash home. That error turned a tight 2‑1 contest into a 4‑0 barrage.

Schlittler was unfazed. He rattled off seven strikeouts—Anthony Volpe swinging in the third was his first victim—while walking no batters. Boston’s hitters never looked comfortable; Wilyer Abreu popped out to third, Rafael Gonzalez flied out on a foul tip, and Jarren Duran struck out swinging.

In the fifth, the Red Sox clawed back a lone run when Lowe singled up the middle, the only bright spot for Boston’s offense. The Yankees, however, kept the pressure on with disciplined defense and lightning‑fast relievers who shut the door on any comeback hopes.

Reactions: Players, Coaches, and Analysts Weigh In

"Schlittler was just laser‑focused," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in the post‑game interview. "He kept his composure, attacked the zone, and trusted his stuff. That’s exactly what we needed tonight."

Boston’s skipper Alex Cora was less forgiving, noting, "The error by Lowe was costly, and our bullpen didn’t execute the way it should have. We’ll have to tighten up in Game 4."

Analysts on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight highlighted the Yankees’ “speed‑on‑the‑bases” factor. Former player‑turned‑analyst John Kruk observed, "When you see a rookie like Schlittler dominate and the Yankees press the Red Sox defense with aggressive baserunning, it creates a cascade of mistakes that’s hard to recover from."

Impact: What This Win Means for Both Franchises

For New York, the 2‑1 series lead brings the first home‑field advantage of the postseason. The Yankees now need just one more win to clinch the Wild Card and avoid a decisive Game 4 on the road—a scenario many fans hope to avoid given the team’s recent struggles at Boston’s Fenway Park.

Boston, meanwhile, faces a must‑win situation. Early’s loss drops his postseason record to 0‑1, and the Red Sox must rely on veteran Chris Sale or a bullpen blitz to stay alive. The error‑laden fourth inning also forces the organization to re‑evaluate its infield fundamentals under playoff pressure.

Looking Ahead: The Road to the Division Series

If the Yankees close out the series in Game 4, they will likely meet the Toronto Blue Jays or the Tampa Bay Rays, depending on the AL Division Series bracket. Both opponents have potent offenses, so New York’s young rotation will need to stay sharp.

Should Boston force a Game 5, the momentum could swing dramatically. The Red Sox’s youthful core—Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu—have shown flashes of power, but they must cut down on costly miscues.

Background: A Rivalry Rekindled in October

The Yankees‑Red Sox rivalry is one of baseball’s most storied, dating back to the early 20th century. This postseason chapter echoes the 2004 ALCS, when the Yankees’ bullpen collapsed and the Sox staged a historic comeback. This time, it’s the Yankees riding a wave of rookie talent, while Boston leans on seasoned veterans trying to reclaim a spot in the World Series.

Historically, the Wild Card format—introduced in 1995—has produced dramatic, short‑series battles, and Game 3 often serves as the tipping point. In 2019, the Astros used a similar fourth‑inning surge to edge past the Twins, a pattern that appears repeating in New York’s favor.