Red Sox vs. Yankees: Breaking down the 2026 season series

For a second consecutive season, the greatest rivalry in Major League Baseball will take center stage in the wild-card round.

The Boston Red Sox will head to the Bronx, New York, for an AL East showdown against the New York Yankees. New York won the previous postseason series between the two teams in 2025 before it was ultimately eliminated in the ALDS.

The two division foes are extremely familiar with each other, as they met 13 times, with New York narrowly winning the season series 7-6. Let's dive into those 13 games and see who stood out for each side.

What did the season series between Boston and New York tell us about the Yankees?

Ten of the first 13 meetings between the two teams came in the first half of the season, a stretch of games that the teams split 5-5. Without the usual inclusion of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup against Boston, there were unusual catalysts who had success for the Yankees offense.

Utilityman Jose Caballero was the most productive Yankee against the Red Sox this season. In 44 at-bats, Caballero slashed .318/.333/.523 with two home runs, three doubles, four RBI and an .856 OPS. 

Outfielder Spencer Jones also had excellent showings against Boston, hitting .389 with in 18 at-bats.

From a pitching standpoint, it was the Yankees ace Cam Schlittler who shined against the entire league, but the Red Sox in particular. Schlittler made four starts against Boston, going 2-1 with a 0.74 ERA and 27 strikeouts across 24 1/3 innings pitched.

Schlittler also tossed eight shutout innings with 12 strikeouts against Boston in the wild-card round last season.