Yankees Clinch AL Wild Card Series with 4-0 Win Over Red Sox Ending Boston's Postseason

The Boston Red Sox were eliminated from the 2025 AL Wild Card Series after losing a decisive Game 3 to the New York Yankees 4-0, marking the first time since the expanded best-of-three format began in 2022 that a team lost the series after winning Game 1. The Red Sox were hampered by injuries and a depleted roster, relying on rookie Connelly Early who pitched well initially but was undone by critical defensive errors that led to all four Yankees runs. Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler, a Massachusetts native, delivered a dominant performance with eight shutout innings and 12 strikeouts, shutting down the Red Sox offense which struggled throughout the series. Defensive miscues, including a costly error by first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and lapses by other Red Sox players, contributed heavily to Boston's downfall, while their offense was largely ineffective against the Yankees' pitching. Despite moments of strong pitching from Boston, their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and their defensive lapses ultimately sealed their postseason fate. The loss underscores the impact of injuries and depth issues for the Red Sox, as well as the enduring intensity and high stakes of the historic Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.