New York Yankees – Boston Red Sox

The Yankees finished the regular season at 93-68, ahead of Boston at 87-75, with a run differential of +138 compared with +78. However, both teams were 5-5 over their last ten games as of September 27, 2026.

This is Game 1 of the 2026 Wild Card Series, a best-of-three, with New York hosting all three potential games at Yankee Stadium. The playing surface and weather had not been verified.

The game corresponds to Tuesday, September 29 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time; the listed schedule should therefore be confirmed.

During the 2026 season, New York won the season series 7-6 and the matchups at Yankee Stadium 4-2. Boston won four consecutive games against New York at Fenway Park in June 2026, then the Yankees won three of the four games in the late-August 2026 series in New York.

The detailed scores of these matchups are not provided. These results describe a competitive, venue-dependent matchup, but they imperfectly predict a postseason game with potentially different pitchers and lineups.

Aaron Judge was dealing with a moderate right calf strain, at the soleus; his absence for the Wild Card was likely, with no final decision confirmed. Willson Contreras, dealing with an injury to his right hand, was expected to test his availability.

Mickey Gasper, suffering from a right biceps strain, was probably unavailable for the postseason. Tyron Guerrero was placed on the injured list with right shoulder pain.

Garrett Crochet remained uncertain after a lengthy absence. The final status of Judge, Contreras, Crochet, and the relievers had not been established.

Yankees scenario: Schlittler has a reported 14-6 record, a 1,95 ERA, and went 2-1 with a 0,74 ERA against Boston in four starts in 2026; at home, the latest change could help New York reduce the Red Sox’s offensive opportunities. Limitation: this past dominance does not guarantee renewed success, and Judge’s potential absence would weaken the lineup’s power.

Red Sox scenario: Boston can rely on a pitching-and-defense identity, extend at-bats, and aim for a close game if Gray or Tolle controls the top of the lineup. Limitations: the pitching order remains uncertain, Guerrero is unavailable, Crochet is questionable, and the team has struggled offensively in September, particularly with runners in scoring position.

The official lineups had not been published by the cutoff time. Cam Schlittler was confirmed as the Yankees’ starter for Game 1.

The Red Sox pitcher still had to be chosen between Sonny Gray and Payton Tolle; the official probable pitchers page did not confirm that choice. New York notably had David Bednar as its closer and Will Warren to provide multiple innings.

Pick: Over 6.5 runs (Totals). Estimated probability: 50.9%, based on market odds. Odds 1.935. No bet: this probability is not sufficient to justify a wager at these odds.