BRONX, NY — Two players who grew up deep in Red Sox country, each less than an hour drive to Fenway Park, put Boston one loss from elimination Tuesday night in the Bronx.
Cam Schlittler struck out 10 over 6.1 scoreless innings and Ben Rice delivered four hits, two for home runs with six RBI as the Yankees defeated Boston, 9-0, at Yankee Stadium in Game 1 of their best of three American League Wild Card Series.
Cam Schlittler dominated the Red Sox Tuesday night in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series, like the 25-year-old right-hander had done so a year ago in the same series and on the same mound as a rookie in his postseason debut (Game 3 of 2025 AL Wild Card) – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
With Aaron Judge sidelined, New York leaned on its homegrown talent in front of a sold-out crowd of 48,347, to move within one victory of an ALDS matchup with another AL East rival, the Tampa Bay Rays.
Schlittler Gives Boston Another Postseason Nightmare
Schlittler, who’s a Walpole, Massachusetts native, allowed two hits and one walk while throwing a career-high 117 pitches (77 strikes). His fastball reaching 100-MPH in the first inning set the tone early, but it was his curveball that helped keep Boston from getting comfortable.
“Probably his best curveball of the year,” manager Aaron Boone said afterward.
Cam Schlittler receives a standing ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd of 48,437 after his dominant Game 1 AL Wild Card performance of 6.1 shutout innings with just two hits and one walk allowed
The 25-year-old right-hander recorded 10 strikeouts on a career high 117 pitches… pic.twitter.com/vLSnnfTary
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Across six career starts against Boston, including the postseason, the 25-year-old right-hander and this year’s AL Cy Young Award favorite, has a 0.47 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings. His two playoff starts against the Red Sox have produced a combined pitching line of 14 1/3 scoreless innings, seven hits, one walk and 22 strikeouts.
Boone said before the game that Schlittler had shown an ability to elevate his performance when the stakes increased such as Game 3 of last year’s AL Wild Card Series vs. the Red Sox, his postseason career debut.
Tuesday provided another example, with fans chanting “MVP” as he mowed down Boston’s lineup.
The Yankee Stadium crowd of 48,347 Tuesday night let Cam Schlittler hear it when he handed the ball to Yankees manager Aaron Boone in the seventh inning and one out – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
“It’s very well known that if you want to be a legend, which is obviously the goal, you’ve got to do it in the postseason,” Schlittler said, posting a 0.37 postseason career ERA over three outings with 24 strikeouts.
Reliever Paul Blackburn preserved the shutout with an inning-ending double play in the seventh as John Schreiber finished the game in the visiting frame of the ninth.
Rice Supplies Punch Without Judge
Rice, 27, who grew up in Cohasset, Massachusetts, became the first Yankee with at least four hits and six RBI in a postseason game.
With the Red Sox on the brink of elimination, Boston’s pitching staff must find a way to keep Ben Rice from doing damage at the plate – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
The left-handed hitting slugger doubled in the first inning, homered off left-hander Erik Miller in the fifth and added on a RBI single in the seventh. Yet it was his eighth-inning grand slam off Brayan Bello that put the game far out of reach for the Red Sox.
Boston’s left-handed pitching failed to neutralize Rice, whose first homer extended a narrow lead to 2-0.
“He pummeled pitches all night,” Boone said. “They went after him a little bit and he made them pay.”
Rice’s performance continued a season in which he hit more than 40 homers (41) while helping carry an offense that has battled through injuries all season long.
Sharing the spotlight with another Massachusetts native against Boston made the night more meaningful.
“Definitely adds a cool little layer to it,” Rice said. “For Cam too. It’s always fun playing against them.”
From Farm to Fame: Yankees’ Development System Delivers
Six key contributors in the Yankees’ Game 1 AL Wild Card win each came up in the farm system as home grown products: Schlittler, Rice, George Lombard Jr., Anthony Volpe, Spencer Jones and Austin Wells.
Anthony Volpe made an impact in the Yankees’ Game 1 AL Wild Card Series victory over Boston, finishing 1-3 and playing a more than serviceable second base – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
Lombard had three hits and scored twice in his postseason debut. Wells collected two hits and two RBI, including the second-inning single that opened the scoring up for New York.
Jones scored twice, while Volpe singled during the first scoring rally and advanced two runners with a perfect eighth-inning sacrifice bunt.
“Just consistently good at-bats, one through nine,” Lombard said of the team’s approach.
The pressure and bright lights of the postseason looked to play no factor on George Lombard Jr. as the Yankees’ 21-year-old rookie shortstop compiled three hits with two runs scored in the Game 1 AL Wild Card win vs. the Red Sox – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
Their key production reflected the value of general manager Brian Cashman and the organization’s investment in scouting and player development. Keeping that core together through many trade deadlines and offseasons left New York with contributors capable of handling the immense postseason responsibility.
“Of course, the homegrown guys were really good tonight,” Boone said.
Judge’s Return Remains A Separate Decision
Judge was left off the Wild Card roster with a moderate right calf strain despite taking live batting practice during Monday’s workout.
On the decision, Boone said Tuesday afternoon, “I just felt like he wasn’t quite ready to be what he needs to be for us.”
Aaron Judge taking batting practice during the Yankees’ workout ahead of Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series.
Judge is trying to make his way back into the Yankees lineup after being sidelined with a moderate right hamstring strain.
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Advancing to the ALCS would indeed give Judge additional recovery time, but a potential return against Tampa Bay requires more than demonstrating he can swing. Boone mentioned running would also factor into his readiness, like it had done so leading up to this series.
Tropicana Field’s artificial turf would be another consideration in evaluating his return, the surface alone cannot establish whether he is ready.
For now, the Yankees have earned breathing room, up 1-0 on Boston in the best of the three set. Their young core delivered without the captain, No. 99 and Max Fried (5-2, 2.80 ERA) gets the opportunity to finish the series Wednesday night.
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