Boston Red Sox Take Game 1 Over Yankees with Strong Pitching and Timely Hitting
In a pivotal opener of the 2025 AL Wild Card Series, the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 3-1 on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, marking yet another postseason scalp in the ongoing rivalry between these historic franchises.
The game was highlighted by Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet’s remarkable performance, who retired 17 consecutive batters after allowing a solo homer to Yankees’ Anthony Volpe in the second inning. Crochet struck out 11 without issuing a walk over 7 2/3 innings, throwing a career-high 117 pitches, including his final pitch at an electrifying 100.2 mph.
Yankees ace Max Fried kept Boston scoreless for 6 1/3 innings, striking out six but ultimately allowing four hits. However, the Yankees bullpen struggled in the later frames, notably when reliever Luke Weaver faltered in the seventh inning. Weaver allowed two runs after walking a batter and issuing a crucial two-run pinch-hit single from Masataka Yoshida, which gave Boston the decisive lead.
The Yankees briefly led early when Volpe launched a second-inning home run, one of the few that Fenway Park would allow this year to fly that far. But beyond that, Boston’s pitching and defense smothered the New York offense, extending a postseason dominance that now sees Boston winning nine of the last ten playoff meetings between these rivals.
Veteran ex-Yankee Aroldis Chapman closed the eighth inning effectively, and Alex Bregman, playing his 100th postseason game, contributed an RBI double in the ninth inning off David Bednar. The Red Sox bullpen maintained the lead to secure the win and put the Yankees on the brink of elimination.
Historical Context and Series Implications
This victory continues Boston’s postseason edge in the modern baseball format; the victors of Game 1 in the best-of-three Wild Card series have gone on to win the series all 12 times since the format’s inception. For the Yankees, despite entering the playoffs with impressive momentum—having won 11 of their last 12 games—the loss illustrates a recurring theme of struggle against Boston in October, adding to a history of difficult postseason outcomes against their longtime rivals.
The Yankees must now win both remaining games to advance, as the Red Sox have surged ahead with confidence bolstered by Crochet’s dominant performance and clutch hitting. The series continues Wednesday night with Game 2, where New York looks to stave off early elimination.
Player Performances and Key Moments
- Garrett Crochet: Improved to 4-0 versus the Yankees in 2025, delivering a near-flawless outing and striking out eight consecutively at one stretch.
- Masataka Yoshida: Delivered a pivotal two-run single as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, swinging the momentum firmly in Boston’s favor.
- Anthony Volpe: Provided the Yankees’ sole run via a second-inning home run.
- Luke Weaver: Struggled in relief with critical walks and hits allowed in the seventh inning leading to Boston’s go-ahead runs.
- Max Fried: Pitched effectively into the seventh inning, but was unsupported in the late innings.
Boston’s win in Game 1 reaffirms their postseason dominance over New York and sets the stage for a tense conclusion to the AL Wild Card series.