In a thrilling showdown for Game 3 of the 2025 American League Wild Card Series, the Boston Red Sox will face off against their arch-rivals, the New York Yankees, in what is shaping up to be a classic playoff battle. The series has intensified as both teams bring their star players into the spotlight, with the matchup now being framed as a contest between the Alexes—Boston’s Alex Cora and New York’s Alex Bregman—and the Aarons, featuring Yankees manager Aaron Boone and star outfielder Aaron Judge.
Bregman, who has extensive postseason experience, recently became the eighth player in MLB history to participate in 100 playoff games, with the majority of those coming during his tenure with the Houston Astros. Following a narrow defeat to the Yankees in Game 2, where the Red Sox fell 4-3, Bregman conveyed his enthusiasm for the intense matchup ahead. “It’s awesome. This is what baseball’s all about. Two great teams competing. Unbelievable atmosphere,” Bregman remarked, expressing his confidence in each team’s abilities.
For Game 3, the Red Sox are set to hand the ball to 23-year-old rookie Connelly Early, whose performance will be critical in a game that carries the weight of a win-or-go-home scenario. The pressure maximizes as Cora’s strategy in Game 2 saw him utilize six of his bullpen arms, potentially exhausting their capacity for the decisive matchup. Garrett Whitlock, a high-leverage arm, threw 47 pitches in the previous game, raising questions on how well-rested the bullpen will be for crucial innings in Game 3. Cora noted, “We’ll check with Whitlock, right, get a lot of treatment and see where we’re at (today) but the rest, we’re in good shape,” indicating a sense of hopefulness despite the bullpen’s heavy usage.
Cora is optimistic about Early’s potential to rise to the occasion, citing his calm demeanor in high-pressure situations. “He’s poised throughout, very calm,” Cora stated. His decision to start the rookie against the formidable Yankees signals a belief in his capability to shine on such a grand stage. Bregman echoed confidence in the Red Sox pitchers, emphasizing that the team trusts every player taking the mound.
As the baseball world tunes in to witness the historic rivalry unfold in this win-or-lose game, fans can expect an exhilarating night filled with intensity and passion, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable chapter in this storied rivalry.