Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees, Wild Card Game 3: Start time, TV channel, and where to watch live

After splitting the first two games of the AL Wild Card Series, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees head into a decisive Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. With everything on the line, both teams will turn to young arms in a rare rookie vs. rookie showdown. Here’s when and where the game is, who’s starting, what’s at stake, and key storylines to watch.

When and where to watch

• Date and Time: Thursday, October 2 – 8:08 p.m. ET (start time was moved back from an earlier slot)
• Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
• Broadcast / Streaming: ESPN (U.S.)

Starting pitchers and matchup

• Red Sox: Rookie Connelly Early (1-2, 2.33 ERA) gets the nod in place of the injured Lucas Giolito.
• Yankees: Righty Cam Schlittler (4-3, ~2.96 ERA) will start, bringing triple-digit velocity and rise through the Yankees’ rotation.
• Historic rookie duel: This will be the first postseason game ever where both starters in a winner-take-all game have fewer than 15 combined career appearances (regular season + postseason).

In game 1 Boston took a 3-1 win behind standout start from Garrett Crochet and clutch bullpen work. For game 2 the Yankees forced Game 3 with a tight 4-3 win. Austin Wells delivered a two-out RBI single in the 8th inning to score Jazz Chisholm Jr., giving New York the lead. David Bednar closed it out.

The series is 1-1, and everything resets tonight.

What’s at stake

The winner advances to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Division Series. With rookies on the mound and a large crowd in New York, composure will be critical. In a do-or-die game, every relief arm is precious. Both teams will have to mix strategy and matchups carefully, but Boston is missing Lucas Giolito due to an elbow injury.

Game 3 is the ultimate stage – unfamiliar arms, fierce rivalry, and one winner moves on. Will Boston’s young Connelly Early rise to the moment? Or will Cam Schlittler and the Yankee bullpen protect home turf? All eyes will be on New York tonight. Don’t blink – this could be the most dramatic Wild Card finale of the season.