2025 AL Wild Card Preview: Red Sox vs. Yankees

Boston walks into the Wild Card round with one of the better offenses in baseball, even though the Red Sox won’t have Roman Anthony for the Wild Card round. The rookie outfielder suffered an oblique strain late in the summer.

It’s an eclectic group of hitters, despite no Rafael Devers. Jarren Duran can turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples. Romy Gonzalez can pound left-handed hitters, while Trevor Story had a healthy and fantastic 2025.

The Yankees‘ offense, meanwhile, was incredible yet again. New York (AL) led the Majors in home runs and runs scored, thanks to a deep, powerful offense captained by Aaron Judge. But it wasn’t just Judge who played a pivotal role. So did Trent Grisham, who set a career-high in home runs, as well as Jazz Chisholm Jr.

However, what will be a point to watch is how the Yankees deploy their left-handed hitters during this series. Manager Aaron Boone appears to be inclined to use Amed Rosario at second base for Game 1 to counter the lefty Garrett Crochet, as opposed to starting Chisholm Jr.

On top of that, Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will be ones to watch for obvious reasons. Judge, a likely finalist for the AL MVP, has not been a fantastic postseason hitter. Stanton has, and he ended the regular season on a scorching-hot pace. The former NL MVP hit .412 with three home runs over the final week.

A Look at the Pitching

It’ll be a battle of the aces (and 2024-25 offseason acquisitions) in Game 1. Garrett Crochet and Max Fried, two of the best left-handers in the game, will square off in The Bronx.

Crochet, who joined the Red Sox last December, did fine overall against the Yankees this season. The left-hander struck out 39 over 27.1 IP against the Yankees this season, more strikeouts and innings thrown against any other team this season. He can blow fastballs by hitters, and the cutter he added to his arsenal a few years ago is a pitch he loves to use against right-handed hitters.

However, Crochet will pound the zone with it. Opposing left-handed hitters batted .100 off the cutter, compared to .273 against righties.

Aside from what will follow Crochet, the Red Sox’s bullpen does include some power. Ex-Yankee Aroldis Chapman had yet another impressive season, while rookie Payton Tolle made the Wild Card roster.

Game 2 starter Brayan Bello had a much better 2025. Boston does not have an announced starter for Game 3. Lucas Giolito is not on the Wild Card roster thanks to an elbow injury. Rookie Connelly Early, who struck out 29 over 19 in September, is on the roster.

The Yankees will throw out their two big guns, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, in the first two games. If necessary, hard-throwing rookie Cam Schlittler, who went to college in Boston-based Northeastern, will get the Game 3 start.

Fried was fantastic in September. Opposing batters hit just .213/.269/.279 (.547 OPS) off the 19-game winner in the final month. Fried struck out 35 over 33.1 IP.

The former Brave has a wealth of playoff experience, as well as significant experience against Boston this season. Fried gave up 19 hits across three starts but didn’t get burned. He struck out 22 over 18.1 IP against Boston this season.

New York’s bullpen was a point of contention for a healthy chunk of the year, thanks to the struggles of Devin Williams. Williams has been better in the second half, while midseason acquisition David Bednar has assumed the role of closer.

Our Prediction

Both teams have strong groups on paper. The Yankees, though, just might have the edge on pitching.

We’ll go with the Yankees to overcome the Red Sox in this series.