Game Recap: 2025 AL Wild Card Series, Game 3 – W – BOS: 0, NYY: 4
It was Cam Schlittler’s destiny to beat the Boston Red Sox in the postseason. It was his destiny to put his teammates on his back. It was his destiny not just to beat Boston, but to dominate their entire lineup through eight scoreless innings.
With a 4-0 win in the decisive game of their Wild Card series last night, the Yankees have advanced to the ALDS. They are the first team in the current MLB Wild Card format to win their series after dropping the first game, and this victory snapped a three-game playoff series losing streak to Boston dating back to 2003.
Through his eight spectacular innings in just his 15th career start, Schlittler struck out 12 batters without allowing a single walk. Miraculously, he posted a better stat line than Garrett Crochet, who allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings in Game 1. The Red Sox weren’t ready for Schlittler’s firepower, and the rookie starter became the first MLB pitcher in postseason history ever to toss eight or more scoreless frames while walking 12 batters without issuing a walk. And he averaged 99 mph on his fastball and sinker.
“A star was born tonight,” manager Aaron Boone proclaimed.
October 2, 2025, will forever live on as a historic moment in Yankees history. This was the night the Yankees flipped the page on the Red Sox. This was the night they overcame their struggles and came up big with their backs against the wall. This was the night Cam Schlittler stole the show.
“It’s an epic environment and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play Boston in the playoffs and end their season,” Schlittler said. “It’s personal for me.”
Schlittler attended the Red Sox’s 2003 victory parade when he was just three years old. “People from Boston had a lot to say before the game, so for me, just being a silent killer, being able to go out there and shut them down. We’re aggressive back home, and we’re going to try to get under people’s skins. They just picked the wrong guy to do it to – and the wrong team.”
That is the biggest, most significant rallying cry a Yankees player has ever given their teammates about the importance of beating Boston since the days of the Core Four. Let Schlittler’s words ring through Yankee Land. Let them fuel the rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox.
Schlittler showed his power early, retiring the top of Boston’s lineup in order. In the second inning, he threw the fastest pitch of his career – a 100.7 mph sinker – to strike Nathaniel Lowe out looking. Schlittler makes it look easy to achieve triple-digit velocity, since he knows how to throw his fastest pitches for strikes and fool opponents with his delivery and location. It also helps that he’s 6’6”.
“He’s been our secret weapon ever since he got called up,” Aaron Judge, 6’7”, said.
Boston’s starting pitcher yesterday was rookie Connelly Early. Featuring a sidearm delivery from the left side, it took the Yankees a few innings to figure out the 23-year-old, but in the fourth inning, they cashed in. Cody Bellinger led off the frame with a full-count blooper into right field that Ceddanne Rafaela could not reach. Bellinger kept his head up and hustled to second base, and three batters later, Amed Rosario scorched a changeup on the ground to left field for an RBI single.
“I tried not to put too much pressure on myself,” Rosario said. “The key for me was to look for a good, high pitch, and put my best swing on it.”
Next, Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled to right field to score Giancarlo Stanton, putting the Yankees up 2-0, and Austin Wells chopped a sinker off the glove of first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, bringing Rosario and Chisholm home.
The Yankees maintained a 4-0 lead for Cam Schlittler through the rest of his outing. When Aaron Boone decided to let him pitch the eighth inning, Yankee Stadium erupted. The rookie never flinched. He never wavered. He never backed down from the grandest stage. And he began the top of the eighth inning by striking out Romy Gonzalez on a high fastball for his 12th punchout of the night.
The next batter was Jarren Duran, and he popped the first pitch he saw down the third base line. Ryan McMahon was positioned at third base, and he followed the pop-up into foul territory, onto the warning track, and… into Boston’s dugout. He somersaulted head-first over the railing and onto Boston’s bench.
“I thought he was dead,” Austin Wells said. The catcher, with his jaw dropped in awe, was the first to greet McMahon as he used the stairs to exit Boston’s dugout. “He bounced right up, and he was fine. I was like, holy s**t, that was crazy.”
McMahon’s catch was Jeterian, and Derek Jeter’s iconic dive in 2004 also occurred against the Red Sox. “Adrenaline kind of kicked in,” said McMahon. “Didn’t really feel anything. I’m sure I hit everything in that dugout, though.”
Game 3 of this Wild Card series was special for so many reasons. It was a memorable night for the Yankees, and it will go down in the history books. “Man, I’m just glad we were able to extend the season,” said Cody Bellinger. “I love each and every one of these guys.”
Now, the Yankees must focus their attention on the ALDS. They will play their first game tomorrow afternoon in Toronto.
