The New York Yankees opened the 2026 American League Wild Card Series with a dominant 9-0 shutout of the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, fueled by record-tying performances from two players with deep roots in New England. Despite playing without captain Aaron Judge, the Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series behind a historic night from first baseman Ben Rice and a marathon pitching effort from Cam Schlittler.
Rice, a Massachusetts native who grew up rooting for the Red Sox, dismantled his childhood team by going 4-for-5 with two home runs and six RBIs. His performance reached its peak in the eighth inning when he launched a grand slam to put the game out of reach. With six runs batted in, Rice tied the Yankees’ single-game postseason record.
On the mound, Schlittler provided the stability the Yankees needed in the absence of their primary offensive threat. Also a Massachusetts native, Schlittler silenced the Boston bats over 6 1/3 shutout innings, allowing only two hits while striking out 10. According to postseason statistics, his 117 pitches were the most thrown by a Yankees starter in a playoff game since CC Sabathia in 2012, surpassing his own previous career high by 10 pitches.
The Red Sox struggled to find any offensive rhythm, a task made more difficult when leadoff hitter Roman Anthony was forced to leave the game early after aggravating a hand injury. Boston managed just two hits throughout the evening, failing to capitalize on the few opportunities provided by a Yankees bullpen that finished the final 2 2/3 innings without allowing a base runner.
New York entered the game with a significant lineup hole as Aaron Judge remained sidelined with a calf injury. While Judge is on the active roster, the team opted to keep him out of the Game 1 lineup to allow for further recovery. The victory marks a successful start to a rematch of the 2025 AL Wild Card Series, which the Yankees also won.
The series continues Wednesday night with Game 2, where the Yankees will look to sweep and advance to the ALDS. If Boston wins Game 2, a decisive Game 3 would take place on Thursday.
