Yankees vs. Red Sox Wild Card Preview: AL East Showdown

The stage is set for another epic Yankees–Red Sox showdown in the American League Wild Card Game this October. These two rivals have met six times since 1999 in the postseason, with Boston holding the recent edge.

The Yankees finished with a 94–68 record but landed in the Wild Card after losing a tiebreaker to Toronto. Boston’s 89–73 mark was enough thanks to their 9–4 head-to-head dominance over New York.

High drama, elite pitching, and the fiercest rivalry in baseball return—what more could you want?

A Rivalry Rekindled in October

This isn’t just another playoff series—it’s a saga that’s shaped baseball for over a century. Boston’s won the last three postseason meetings, including the 2021 Wild Card Game.

The Yankees haven’t beaten Boston in October since 2003. That history hangs over every pitch and at-bat, and you can feel it.

Recent History Favors Boston

In 2024, Boston took nine of fourteen matchups. That psychological edge matters, and it gave them the tiebreaker, too.

The Red Sox come in confident from their recent October wins. Meanwhile, the Yankees are desperate to snap a two-decade playoff skid against Boston.

The Pitching Matchups

Both teams send lefty aces to the mound. The Yankees have Max Fried and Carlos Rodón, who both reinvented themselves this season and delivered big results.

Fried’s command and Rodón’s revived velocity have fueled New York’s run. Rookie Cam Schlittler could even get a look if there’s a Game 3—now that would be interesting.

Boston’s Ace and Depth Concerns

Garrett Crochet leads Boston’s staff and tops the majors in innings and strikeouts in 2024. His fastball and slider combo is flat-out nasty.

Brayan Bello, a groundball specialist, is next in line. If there’s a third game, Boston will pick between Kyle Harrison or Connelly Early, but losing Lucas Giolito to injury has left their rotation thinner than they’d like.

Breaking Down the Bullpens

The bullpens could end up deciding this series. The Yankees traded for All-Star arms David Bednar and Devin Williams, but their relief corps has stumbled, posting a 4.74 ERA since August.

Bednar’s taken over as closer and found some success. Williams is the setup guy now, but late-inning stability still feels shaky for New York.

Boston’s Late-Inning Advantage

Boston’s bullpen has been steadier, anchored by veteran closer Aroldis Chapman and his 32 saves in 2024. Garrett Whitlock can handle multiple innings, and lefties Justin Wilson and Steven Matz create real matchup headaches for New York.

This late-inning strength could swing close games Boston’s way.

Keys to Victory

The Yankees need their starters to dominate early and keep the bullpen out of trouble. They’ll also have to scratch out runs against Boston’s top arms, which is easier said than done.

For Boston, the plan is simple: ride Crochet’s dominance, trust the bullpen, and keep their playoff momentum against the Yankees rolling.

• Yankees (+ Pitching Depth): Fried, Rodón, and maybe even Schlittler give New York solid options on the mound.
• Red Sox (+ Bullpen Stability): Chapman, Whitlock, and their lefty specialists can shut things down late.
• Key Weakness: The Yankees’ bullpen volatility could undo great starts.
• X-Factor: Boston’s confidence—they just seem to have New York’s number in October.

Final Thoughts

It’s a win-or-go-home clash between rivals who’ve been at it for over a hundred years. Every pitch is going to feel massive.

The Yankees have star power up front, but they really need to figure out their bullpen if they want to stick around.

The Red Sox have Garrett Crochet leading the way. Their bullpen seems built for October’s pressure, but that only matters if they can hold off New York’s power and determination.

Honestly, when these two teams collide in October, you just know baseball fans are in for something wild.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Beasts From the East, Again: Red Sox vs. Yankees AL Wild Card Preview