The New York Yankees host the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. New York holds a 1-0 lead following a dominant shutout in the opener, while Boston hands the ball to veteran right-hander Sonny Gray to stave off elimination.
Sonny Gray and Max Fried Take the Mound in High-Stakes Pitching Matchup
The Red Sox turn to Sonny Gray on Wednesday night as they look to rebound from a punishing defeat at Yankee Stadium. Sonny Gray will take the mound for Boston after finishing the 2026 regular season with an 18-5 record and a 2.72 ERA. Boston fared well in Gray’s starts this season, going 21-8 overall, and the right-hander finished the regular season with an expected ERA of 3.87 in the 60th percentile. For the right-hander, taking the ball in the Bronx brings a familiar weight given his previous history when the Yankees acquired him from the Oakland Athletics. As Sonny Gray noted on Tuesday afternoon hours before Game 1 regarding his return to the Bronx, “I feel good.” He added, “I think the atmosphere will be a high-level, high-energy, intense playoff atmosphere. Which, as a player, that’s what – as a player that’s played for a while, who’s been around, that’s what you want, right? For me, that’s what keeps you wanting to continue to come back and play. So yeah, I’m excited. Not trying to look too far ahead.”
On the other side, the Yankees counter with left-hander Max Fried. The 32-year-old Fried was 5-5 with a 2.80 ERA. New York’s rotation led the majors with a 3.30 ERA during the regular season, and oddsmakers clearly believe in this Yankees team. In Game 2, New York has left-hander Max Fried on the mound against Boston’s Sonny Gray.
“I feel good. I think the atmosphere will be a high-level, high-energy, intense playoff atmosphere. Which, as a player, that’s what – as a player that’s played for a while, who’s been around, that’s what you want, right?”
Sonny Gray, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher
Roster Adjustments and Injury Concerns Shape Both Lineups
Both clubs face notable personnel hurdles heading into Wednesday’s contest. Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy’s squad looks to find more success against Max Fried after the Yankees limited the Red Sox to just three hits in Game 1. However, a stellar start from Gray won’t matter if Boston can’t score.
The Yankees continue to operate without Aaron Judge, who is currently on the shelf with a calf injury. Even with Aaron Judge on the shelf, oddsmakers clearly believe in this Yankees team, which moved all the way to +650 to win the World Series after Tuesday night’s victory. New York would need to get through both Boston and Tampa Bay to reach the ALCS.
How Game 1 Set the Stage for Elimination Drama
Tuesday night’s opener turned into a lopsided affair as the New York Yankees dominated Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Round against the Boston Red Sox, scoring nine runs in a 9-0 win at home. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the second inning, when Austin Wells singled to right, sending George Lombard, Jr., home. The Red Sox took starting pitcher Payton Tolle off the mound and replaced him with Erik Miller, who shortly after pitched a home run to Massachusetts native Ben Rice in the bottom of the 5th inning, sending the Yankees up 2-0. Bases were loaded for the Yankees in the bottom of the 7th when Rice singled, sending Spencer Jones home. The bases were loaded for a second time in the 7th inning, when Luis Garcia, Jr. hit a ground ball, Austin Wells scored, and the Yankees went up again, 4-0. Later in the bottom of the seventh, the Yankees picked up another insurance run on Austin Wells’ RBI single, prompting Chad Tracy to pull Garrett Whitlock. Ben Rice came through again in the 8th inning with a grand slam.
Designated hitter Ben Rice carried the New York offense with two homers, three extra-base hits, and six RBIs. Cam Schlittler starred on the mound for the Yankees, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing two hits, and striking out 10K’s to lead the way for the Bronx Bombers. Ben Rice had four hits and six RBIs in the win, which he capped off with an eighth-inning grand slam.
“I’ll remember getting a ‘W’ versus the Red Sox — there’s nothing better than that. I’ll remember Cam [Schlittler, who struck out 10 over 6 1/3 scoreless innings] going out there and just being lights out, like he always is. I’ll remember the atmosphere. It was just an awesome night.”
Ben Rice, New York Yankees designated hitter
Boston ultimately never got on the board, losing 9-0. The Red Sox faced their share of adversity during the regular season, and they’re confident they can succeed again in the postseason, even while on the brink of elimination in Game 2. As Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu stated, [Wednesday] is another day. We can come back and win the series. We still have two more games, so I'm very optimistic about our team, and tomorrow is going to be a really good day for us.
Manager Aaron Boone also emphasized maintaining focus despite the Game 1 win, stating, You enjoy it for a minute. But it’s getting right back after it [Wednesday], knowing that we’ll have a chance to close it out.
Earlier, discussing the pitching schedule, Boone noted, “It’s kind of been in the works here for probably the last month or so. Obviously, tremendous rivalry — a team that’s had a resurgent season after a really difficult start. I think they’re really good. I felt that way all year. Also real confident, if we play our game and pitch like we’re capable of, we’ve got a good chance to move on. So, we’ve got to play our best starting Tuesday.”
If the Yankees secure a victory on Wednesday night, New York leads the best-of-three 1-0 and can advance to the division series against the top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays in a best-of-five series that begins Saturday night. If necessary, RHP Gerrit Cole is the Yankees’ Game 3 pitcher for Thursday’s 8 p.m. start, allowing New York to save Cole for the opening game of the next round if Fried and the Yankees close out the series on Wednesday.
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