Yankees vs. Red Sox score: Live updates from Wild Card Series as rivals meet in 2026 MLB playoffs
CBS Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Austin Wells delivered a crucial left-on-left hit, driving in George Lombard Jr. to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead early in the game.
- Despite a poor regular season performance, especially against left-handed pitching, Wells' defensive value secures him a starting role in every postseason game for the Yankees.
- Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted for a righty-heavy lineup against lefty Red Sox starter Payton Tolle, leaving left-handed hitters Jazz Chisholm Jr., Luis García Jr., and Ryan McMahon on the bench initially.
- The Red Sox lineup features key players Roman Anthony, Adley Rutschman, Willson Contreras, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela all healthy and starting together for only the third time this season.
- Strategic pinch-hitting and defensive substitutions are anticipated from the Yankees, particularly involving Chisholm, Giancarlo Stanton, José Caballero, and Ryan McMahon depending on game situations.
