The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees clash in Game 3 of their Wild Card Series on Thursday, with a coveted spot in the American League Division Series on the line. The Red Sox took the first game with a 3-1 victory, while the Yankees bounced back in Game 2, securing a thrilling 4-3 win. The stakes have never been higher as Boston (89-73), finishing third in the AL East, heads into this crucial match with a road record of 42-41. In contrast, New York (94-68), which ranked second in the division, boasts a strong home record of 51-32 in 2025. The victor will proceed to face Toronto in the Division Series.
Set for an 8:08 p.m. ET start at Yankee Stadium, this matchup features a significant history, with the Red Sox having won 10 of the 15 games they played against the Yankees this season. DraftKings Sportsbook currently lists New York as a -159 favorite, while Boston is positioned as +133 underdogs. The over-under for the total runs in this game stands at 7.5.
On the pitching front, the Yankees will send right-hander Cam Schlittler to the mound. Schlittler, who holds a 4-3 record and a 2.96 ERA, demonstrated impressive form towards the end of the season, winning three of his last four games, including a dominant 6-1 outing against the Baltimore Orioles last Saturday. He pitched seven innings, allowing only two hits while striking out nine.
Key offensive contributions for the Yankees include powerhouse right fielder Aaron Judge. Having featured in 152 games during the regular season, Judge posted an impressive batting average of .331 along with 30 doubles, 53 home runs, and a remarkable 114 RBIs. Entering Game 3, he is on a hitting streak of seven games, where he has already amassed four hits in two games of the series.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox plan to counter with promising rookie left-hander Connelly Early. With a record of 1-2 and a 2.33 ERA, Early has impressed since his September call-up, striking out 29 batters over 19.1 innings pitched. Although he faced a tough outing in his last game against the Detroit Tigers, he managed to hold his own by striking out seven in five innings.
Shortstop Trevor Story has also been a pivotal asset for Boston, batting 4-for-9 in the series, including a home run and three RBIs in Game 2. During the regular season, Story showcased his abilities with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs.
As the competition heats up, SportsLine’s projection model predicts a total of 9.6 runs for this high-stakes game and suggests valuable insights on the money line. Fans and bettors alike are keenly anticipating what promises to be an exciting showdown as these two storied franchises vie for a place in the AL Division Series.