The last three seasons have been miserable for Red Sox Nation: a fanbase thirsty for championships was given just average teams to root for. But on September 26, Romy Gonzalez crossed home plate on a walk-off triple by Ceddanne Rafaela, clinching a wild-card spot in the playoffs. This will mark the Red Sox’ first postseason appearance since 2021, giving them a chance to bring October baseball back to Fenway Park.
The Red Sox ended the 2025 season 89-73, by far their best record since their 2021 campaign in which they advanced all the way to the ALCS. They now enter October as an underdog in the American League, but it should be something for fans to get excited about.
Preseason, opinions of the Red Sox varied wildly, with some analysts predicting them to miss the playoffs and some predicting them to make it to the World Series. In a season of chaos, the Red Sox dealt with injuries to key players as well as trading their franchise cornerstone, Rafael Devers, in June.
It hasn’t been an easy season, but the Red Sox found a way to make things work. They will be heading to the Bronx for the best-of-three wild-card series starting on Tuesday, in a clash with their archrival, the New York Yankees.
The Sox are not favored in this series, especially without an injured Roman Anthony, who was key in the Red Sox’ offensive success after the Devers trade. Without Anthony, the Sox’ offense has looked lost at times. Against the Yankees’ potent starting pitching, the series will be a quick loss if the offense is not there. However, the Red Sox won the season series 9-4, and anything can happen in October.
The Red Sox have not lost a postseason series to the Yankees since 2003, and fans are hopeful for another win against their rival. SHS senior Dave Dinneen was enthusiastic about getting playoff baseball back to Fenway Park, stating, “Fenway needs October baseball back. Beating the Yankees to allow that to happen would be awesome.”
Game 1 is on Tuesday, September 30th, at 6:08 PM, featuring a pitching matchup of the two teams’ aces: Garrett Crochet and Max Fried. Crochet led the MLB in strikeouts and was key in the Red Sox’ pitching success during the regular season. On the other side, Fried turned down a contract offer from the Red Sox in the offseason to sign with the Yankees. He led the league in the regular season in wins with 19, as well as leading his own team with an ERA of 2.86.
Game 2 is on Wednesday, and Game 3 is on Thursday if necessary. On Wednesday, Red Sox Brayan Bello will face Yankees Carlos Rodon. If the series is tied after two games, the Red Sox will have to determine a pitcher to start the deciding game, with Lucas Giolito being unable to go with elbow soreness. Kyle Harrison, a piece in the Devers deal, and rookie Connelly Early are the leading candidates. As for the Yankees, Walpole, MA, native Cam Schlittler would get the start on Thursday.
Fans are looking forward to the series. It should be a good one, as always, in arguably the most famous rivalry in sports. And if the Red Sox pull out a series win, October baseball will return to Fenway Park in next week’s AL Division Series.