Yankees Vanquish Some Red Sox Demons ... And Set Upon A Familiar Path
In a decisive 4-0 win over the Boston Red Sox in game three of an AL wild card series, the New York Yankees finally exorcised some historical demons and advanced to face the Blue Jays in the ALDS. The victory marked the first time since 2003 that the Yankees had defeated the Red Sox in a playoff series.
The Yankees' win was led by Cam Schlittler, who pitched six strong innings, allowing just three hits while striking out seven. "It's a great feeling to be able to contribute to this team's success," Schlittler said after the game. "We've been working towards this moment all season."
The Red Sox had won the last three playoff series between the two clubs, including a sweep in 2022 and a comeback victory in 2024. But on Thursday night, the Yankees' offense came alive, scoring four runs off Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock.
The Yankees' victory marked a return to form for the team, which had struggled against the Red Sox in recent years. "It's a big win for us," said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. "We've been working hard to get back on track and this is a great step forward."
The series victory also marked a milestone for the Yankees' franchise, which has won 27 World Series championships since its inception in 1903. The team will now face the Blue Jays in the ALDS, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday night at Yankee Stadium.
In the background of this series was the rivalry between the two teams, which has been one of the most intense and storied in baseball history. The Red Sox had won 13 of the last 15 games against the Yankees, including a sweep in 2022 and a comeback victory in 2024.
But on Thursday night, the Yankees broke through, with Schlittler leading the way. "It's a great feeling to be able to pitch like that," he said. "I'm just happy to have been able to contribute to this team's success."
The Yankees' win also marked a significant milestone for their fans, who had been waiting for years to see their team defeat the Red Sox in a playoff series. "It's an incredible feeling," said one fan, who was celebrating with his friends outside Yankee Stadium. "We've been waiting for this moment for so long."
The Yankees will now face the Blue Jays in the ALDS, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday night at Yankee Stadium. The team will look to build on their momentum and make a deep run into the playoffs.
In related news, the Red Sox have announced that they will be conducting an internal review of their performance during the series. "We're disappointed in our showing," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "But we'll learn from this and come back stronger next year."
The Yankees' victory marked a return to normalcy for the team, which had been struggling against the Red Sox in recent years. But with Schlittler leading the way, the team is now on a familiar path - one that leads to the playoffs.
Statistics:
Cam Schlittler pitched six strong innings, allowing just three hits while striking out seven.
The Yankees scored four runs off Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock.
The Red Sox had won 13 of the last 15 games against the Yankees, including a sweep in 2022 and a comeback victory in 2024.
Background:
The Yankees and Red Sox have one of the most intense and storied rivalries in baseball history. The two teams have been playing each other since 1901, with the Red Sox winning 13 of the last 15 games against the Yankees.
Current Status:
The Yankees will now face the Blue Jays in the ALDS, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday night at Yankee Stadium.
*Reporting by Forbes.*
