The Red Sox will try to push their domination of the Yankees to eight straight wins on Saturday afternoon, with ace Garrett Crochet on the mound in the third game of a four-game set at Fenway. Boston holds a half-game edge over New York for the top AL wild-card spot as the race tightens.
Following a 6-3 win Thursday and a 1-0 shutout Friday, the Red Sox have run their series streak against the Yankees to seven straight, and they’ve secured the 13-game season series advantage that would serve as the playoff tiebreaker if the clubs finish tied for a spot.
With the wild-card picture becoming clearer, Boston also possesses a head-to-head tiebreaker edge over the Yankees should it come down to tiebreakers later in the season.
The pitching matchup features Crochet (13-5, 2.43 ERA) taking the ball for Boston, while Will Warren (7-5, 4.25 ERA) will start for New York. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
Looking ahead to the action, the Red Sox will aim to keep the momentum going as they try to extend their run against the Yankees and strengthen their position in the crowded wild-card race. Boston has struggled a bit with runners in scoring position in the current series, going 4-for-30, and is 7-for-58 over its past five games. Still, Crochet stands out with standout form, entering a stretch of 13 starts in which he’s gone 9-1 with a 2.77 ERA and has routinely limited damage, especially in recent outings.
Notes from the recent meetings add context: the Red Sox have outscored the Yankees 36-21 since the season series kicked off on June 6, and New York’s offense has had trouble manufacturing offense in the latest games. Crochet’s past head-to-head history against the Yankees includes a strong outing in mid-June in Boston and a tough one in New York earlier in the season, while Warren’s only prior start against Boston came June 6 in New York, where he earned the win despite some walks.
Outlook: Boston’s ability to convert opportunities with runners in scoring position and Crochet’s recent effectiveness will be key. The Yankees will look to rally behind Warren and snap the skid in the series while keeping their own wild-card hopes alive.
Summary: The Red Sox enter Saturday aiming to extend their dominance over the Yankees and solidify their grip on the top wild-card spot, leveraging Crochet’s strong recent stretch and the head-to-head tiebreaker edge as critical advantages in a pivotal chapter of the season.
Commentary: If Boston can maintain its pitching efficiency and squeeze more scoring opportunities in big moments, the club can further distance itself in the wild-card race and keep momentum heading into the final stretch. The matchup also adds a layer of intrigue around playoff implications tied to the head-to-head results this season, making this a must-watch test for both teams.
Additional value: Watch for how Boston manages its bullpen after Crochet departs, as well as any lineup tweaks that could spark more consistency with runners in scoring position. If you’re following the race, this game could be a telling indicator of how well the Red Sox can sustain their recent run against a rival chasing their own postseason odds.