Red Sox vs. Yankees preview: Boston faces elimination in Game 2
Update (4:07 p.m. ET, Wednesday): The starting lineups for Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series have been confirmed. Jazz Chisholm Jr. returns to New York’s lineup at second base after sitting out Game 1, and Boston’s lineup features Trevor Story at shortstop and Willson Contreras at first base.
The New York Yankees can end the Boston Red Sox’s season Wednesday night if they win Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium. New York leads the best-of-three series 1-0 after a 9-0 win Tuesday, and another victory sends the Yankees into a Division Series.
Boston enters at 87-75 needing a win to force a decisive Game 3. The Red Sox managed one run over their last two games entering Game 1. New York improved to 93-68 and has won consecutive playoff series over Boston.
Red Sox vs. Yankees game information
- Date: Wednesday, Sept. 30
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
- TV/Streaming: NBC, ERADM
- Series: Yankees lead ALWC 1-0
Related: Red Sox Anthony exits Wild Card Game 1 with hand injury | Top MLB DFS Postseason Start’em/Sit’em Lineups for September 30th
Red Sox outlook
Boston was shut out 9-0 in Game 1 and has scored one run combined over its last two games. The confirmed Game 2 lineup has Jahmai Jones at designated hitter, Adley Rutschman catching, Willson Contreras at first base, Wilyer Abreu in right field, Ceddanne Rafaela in center, Caleb Durbin at third, Nick Sogard at second, Trevor Story at shortstop and Nate Eaton in left. Rafaela (.283) leads the club in batting average, while Contreras paces the offense with 27 home runs and 81 RBIs. Left fielder Roman Anthony is listed as day-to-day with right hand soreness, and designated hitter Masataka Yoshida remains on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
Right-hander Sonny Gray starts Game 2. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Gray was a starter throughout 2024 and 2025 before pitching in relief for Chicago earlier in his career.
Yankees outlook
New York has won four of its last five games heading into the postseason. The confirmed Game 2 lineup brings back Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base after he was held out of Game 1, with Ben Rice at designated hitter, Cody Bellinger in left field, Luis Garcia Jr. at first, Spencer Jones in right, George Lombard Jr. at shortstop, Trent Grisham in center, Austin Wells catching and Ryan McMahon at third. Rice leads the team with 41 home runs and 97 RBIs. Bellinger tops the Yankees in batting average at .264.
Right fielder Aaron Judge remains on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain with an expected return date of Oct. 3. Left-hander Max Fried starts Game 2.
Key matchup: Gray’s control against a lineup missing Judge
Gray will face a Yankees lineup that scored nine runs without Judge in the leadoff spot in Game 1 and now adds Chisholm back into the mix at second base.
Players to watch
Ben Rice, DH/1B, New York
Rice homered twice, doubled and drove in six runs in Game 1. He leads the Yankees with 41 home runs and 97 RBIs for the season.
Sonny Gray, SP, Boston
Gray faces the Yankees for the first time in the postseason since his trade from the organization years ago.
What to watch
Boston must win to force a Game 3; a loss ends the season. The Red Sox already dropped last year’s Wild Card Series to New York, and a sweep would mark back-to-back postseason exits at the Yankees’ hands.
A Yankees victory advances New York to a Division Series against Tampa Bay, the AL East champion.
Reporting from NBC Sports and MLB Trade Rumors contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).