Yankees vs. Red Sox: Rookie Starters Set for Decisive AL Wild Card Game 3
NEW YORK – The biggest rivalry in baseball will decide its latest chapter under the brightest of lights, as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox face off in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series on Thursday night. The stage is set at Yankee Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET on ESPN.
What makes this clash even more compelling is who will be on the mound. Instead of veteran aces, the outcome rests on the shoulders of two young pitchers barely out of the Minor Leagues: Cam Schlittler, the Yankees’ 24-year-old rookie from Massachusetts, and Connelly Early, Boston’s 23-year-old southpaw making his first postseason start.
A Hometown Storyline: Schlittler’s Rise
For Cam Schlittler, the moment is drenched in irony and drama. The right-hander grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts, the son of a suburban Boston police chief, and once dreamed of playing for the very team he’ll try to eliminate: the Red Sox. Instead, he’s wearing pinstripes, tasked with pitching the Yankees into the next round.
Schlittler’s climb to this spotlight has been nothing short of meteoric. He began the year with Double-A Somerset and earned his big-league call-up in July as a rotation fill-in. With triple-digit velocity, a biting slider, and a poised demeanor, he quickly became a trusted arm for manager Aaron Boone. In 14 starts, he went 4–3 with a 2.96 ERA, striking out batters at an impressive clip.
His last outing was particularly dominant: seven scoreless innings against the Orioles on September 27, where he allowed just two hits and struck out nine. Now, just a week later, he’s being handed the ball in the biggest assignment of his career.
“I would say growing up in Boston, I take pride in being from Boston,” Schlittler said. “When it came to my career and where I want to be, this is where I want to be.”
It’s a storyline fit for October: a Massachusetts kid trying to pitch the Yankees past the Red Sox on the grandest stage.
Boston’s Counterpunch: Early Steps In
The Red Sox, meanwhile, will counter with Connelly Early, another rookie who has only been in the Majors since September. Called up to fill in for injured arms, Early quickly impressed, going 1–2 with a 2.33 ERA across four starts. His Major League debut on September 9 against Oakland was electric: 11 strikeouts in five scoreless innings.
Though he doesn’t bring overpowering velocity like Schlittler, Early relies on pitch mix and command. The Red Sox coaching staff has praised his calm demeanor, a trait that could prove invaluable with Fenway’s hopes resting on his left arm.
Manager Alex Cora expressed confidence in the rookie: “He’s not afraid of the moment. His composure is special. That’s what you want on a night like this.”
Early replaces veteran Lucas Giolito, who was scratched due to injury, and inherits the enormous responsibility of silencing a Yankee lineup that came alive in Game 2.
How They Got Here
The Yankees forced the decisive Game 3 with a 4-3 win Wednesday in the Bronx, a contest that showcased both resilience and clutch hitting. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton delivered timely offense, while the bullpen held strong against Boston’s late push.
Boston had taken Game 1 behind a stellar pitching performance and clutch hitting from Rafael Devers, but the pendulum swung quickly. Now the stage is perfectly balanced: one win advances, one loss ends the season.
Projected Lineups
Red Sox (vs. RHP Schlittler):
- Wilyer Abreu, RF
- Masataka Yoshida, LF
- Rafael Devers, 3B
- Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
- Jarren Duran, CF
- Triston Casas, DH
- Trevor Story, SS
- Connor Wong, C
- Vaughn Grissom, 2B
Yankees (vs. LHP Early):
- Anthony Volpe, SS
- Juan Soto, RF
- Aaron Judge, CF
- Giancarlo Stanton, DH
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Gleyber Torres, 2B
- DJ LeMahieu, 3B
- Austin Wells, C
- Alex Verdugo, LF
Both managers emphasized flexibility, noting that in a do-or-die game, bench pieces and bullpen decisions will be pivotal.
Players to Watch
- Juan Soto (NYY): The star outfielder has already reached base six times in this series and remains the biggest threat to change a game with one swing.
- Rafael Devers (BOS): Boston’s cornerstone has a history of tormenting Yankee pitching, and his presence in the middle of the lineup is crucial.
- Bullpens: With rookies starting, both teams may lean heavily on their relief corps. Expect managers to have quick hooks if trouble brews early.
What’s at Stake
For New York, advancing would mark a major step forward for a team that weathered inconsistency all season before catching fire in September. For Boston, it’s about proving resilience after battling injuries and roster changes.
The winner of this series moves on to face the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series, a daunting matchup but one that will feel attainable with the adrenaline of surviving this rivalry showdown.
The Rivalry Reignited
The Yankees–Red Sox rivalry has always been defined by October. From Bucky Dent’s homer in 1978 to the epic 2004 ALCS comeback by Boston, these two franchises have delivered unforgettable postseason drama. Thursday night has the makings of another classic: two rookie starters, one storied rivalry, and everything on the line.
As Boston outfielder Jarren Duran summed it up:
“I have complete confidence in this team. We’ve been through stuff like this before, and we’ve been resilient all year, so I’m excited to see what we can do tomorrow.”
Final Word
Thursday night isn’t just about advancing to the ALDS—it’s about bragging rights in baseball’s fiercest rivalry. With Schlittler and Early set to duel, the script writes itself: a pair of fresh faces carrying the weight of generations of animosity between pinstripes and red socks.
One will become a hero. The other will learn a hard October lesson.
First pitch: 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN.
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