Yankees, Red Sox face decisive Game 3 with rookie pitchers in AL Wild Card

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are set to face off in a decisive Game 3 of the 2025 AL Wild Card Series, with the winner advancing to the AL Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The series is tied 1-1, following the Yankees' narrow 4-3 victory in Game 2, highlighted by Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s pivotal run scored on an Austin Wells RBI single. Both teams will start rookie pitchers in this winner-take-all game, with the Yankees sending Cam Schlittler to the mound and the Red Sox countering with Connelly Early, marking just the second time in MLB history that two rookie starters face off in such a high-stakes postseason game. Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed confidence in his bullpen depth despite Early's inexperience, while the Yankees' bullpen secured a key save in the previous game. The matchup not only carries the weight of advancing in the playoffs but also continues the storied rivalry between these AL East rivals, with fans eagerly anticipating a thrilling conclusion to the series. The game time was adjusted to 8:08 p.m. ET to accommodate other postseason scheduling changes, with the broadcast on ESPN.