Few rivalries in the history of professional sports run as hot as the one between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. As division rivals in the AL East, they’ve met countless times, with the Yankees often cast as the behemoth and the Red Sox as the scrappy underdog, though both teams have made their marks over the decades.
This week, for the second time in two years, the Sox and the Yankees will meet in the Wild Card Round of the MLB Playoffs, keeping their rivalry going into the postseason as both teams chase redemption after early playoff exits last season. Whoever wins, watching Boston and New York play under the lights of Yankee Stadium is one of baseball’s great pleasures, and you’ll be able to catch it all live on NBC and Peacock.
RELATED: The Full 2026 MLB Wild Card Schedule
How do I watch the Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Wild Card Round?
The Red Sox and Yankees will begin their best-of-three Wild Card series on the evening of Tuesday, September 29, with Game 2 arriving the next evening, Wednesday, September 30. If necessary, Game 3 goes down Thursday, October 1. You can catch all three games live on NBC, or stream them simultaneously on Peacock.
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Wild Card Schedule
- Tuesday, September 29 at 8 p.m. ET: Red Sox vs. Yankees, Game 1 (NBC/Peacock)
- Wednesday, September 30 at 8 p.m. ET: Red Sox vs. Yankees, Game 2 (NBC/Peacock)
- Thursday, October 1, Time TBD: Red Sox vs. Yankees, Game 3, if necessary (NBC/Peacock)
Red Sox vs. Yankees start times
The Red Sox and the Yankees are set to get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 29, with Game 2 following at the same time Wednesday, September 30. If necessary, Game 3’s start time on Thursday, October 1 will be announced later this week.
Red Sox vs. Yankees preview
The Red Sox and the Yankees both spent the season trailing the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East crown, then both managed to push ahead to the postseason without winning the division. They’re facing similar playoff paths, and they’re fairly evenly matched this season, with New York winning seven of the 13 meetings between the teams in the 2026 regular season.
That means an unpredictable matchup for the Wild Card Round, even if the Yankees have the home field advantage. As for what kind of game we can expect, both teams boast solid bullpens. The Yankees have the best pitching staff ERA in the league, while the Red Sox have the third-best. That means we have a chance at a chess match, particularly with rival pitchers Payton Tolle (Boston) and Cam Schlittler (New York) taking the mound to start Game 1.
RELATED: How Does the Wild Card Round Work in the MLB Playoffs?
Red Sox vs. Yankees players to watch
With strong pitching coming from both sides, it’ll be on the best batters on each squad to make some magic happen. For Boston, that means keeping an eye on Willson Contreras. He leads the team in home runs and RBI, and could help to break the game open if he finds a way through the Yankees’ pitching strategy.
For the Yankees, something especially interesting is happening in terms of a player to watch. New York’s dealt with a lot of injuries this season, but few were more devastating than the April loss of Giancarlo Stanton, one of the team’s best hitters. Now, Stanton’s back and ready to help the Yankees, just in time for the playoffs. His return is a chance to set the tone for the postseason, so keep an eye on Stanton’s overall health and his comfort level at the plate. It could be a huge difference-maker.
Who’s on the broadcast team for Red Sox vs. Yankees?
Jason Benetti will call the series for NBC Sports, with analysis from Lou Merloni and Joe Girardi and on-field reporting from Caroline Pineda. Anthony Rizzo will provide “Inside the Pitch” commentary on select at-bats.
