Alright, so get this: The New York Yankees are kicking off their AL Wild-Card Round tonight at Yankee Stadium against the Red Sox, and three-time MVP Aaron Judge is NOT on the roster for the Wild-Card Round. That’s right, the guy is gone. Talk about a bombshell drop just hours before Game 1.
No Judge? No Problem… Right, Cam Schlittler?
With Judge sidelined, the spotlight shines bright on ace Cam Schlittler, who’s getting the ball for Game 1. This isn’t just any game, it’s the AL Wild-Card opener, set for an 8 p.m. ET first pitch on NBC. You know this was always gonna be the prime-time matchup. And hey, the weather might actually help Schlittler out, with temperatures around 69 degrees and a light 3 mph wind at first pitch. That’s pretty pitcher-friendly conditions if you ask me. But even with Schlittler dealing, losing a three-time MVP is a gut punch, and the betting lines show some hesitation: New York is sitting at -145 on the money line, but they’re only pulling in 23% of the handle and 34% of the bets. Fans are definitely feeling the tension.
Rivalry, Redemption, and Red Sox Resurgence
This whole Red Sox vs. Yankees thing never gets old, does it? It’s the seventh playoff series between these AL East rivals, which is tied for the second-most between any two teams in MLB history. The Yankees actually won their last postseason clash, a three-game Wild-Card Series back in 2025 at Yankee Stadium, but Boston had taken the three series before that, including a one-game Wild-Card in 2021. This regular season, New York edged them out 7-6, including a 4-2 record at home. But don’t sleep on Boston. They’re one of just nine teams in the past 30 seasons to make the playoffs after firing their manager mid-season. Interim manager Chad Tracy, who stepped in on April 26 when the team was 10-17, just got extended and named full-time after guiding them from 14 games under .500 on June 25, thanks to a four-game sweep that really rescued their year. New York is favored to win the series at -170, with a sweep even being the +185 favorite, and the Under on 2.5 total games leading at -115.
So, tonight is about more than just a game. It’s about a rivalry heating up, a star missing, and a pitcher needing to carry the load. What happens with Schlittler on the mound tonight sets the tone for everything.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply