Bucky Dent, Yankees hero, throws out ceremonial first pitch before Game 3
Bucky Dent, who hit one of the most memorable home runs in Yankees history, throws out ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of AL Wild Card Series.
NEW YORK – After two tense, tightly contested AL Wild Card Series games, it’s a win-or-else Game 3 tonight at Yankee Stadium between the Red Sox and Yankees.
As you might know, today is the 47th anniversary of Bucky Dent’s famous home run in that one-game, 1978 playoff at Fenway Park that sent the Yankees to the AL Championship Series and propelled them toward a World Series title.
And, of course, the Yankees haven’t won a postseason series against the Red Sox since Aaron Boone’s pennant-winning homer in 2003.
That either changes tonight, or it’s the start of a long winter. The winner here advances to the best-of-five AL Division Series against the Blue Jays, starting Saturday at Toronto.
Follow along here for our live analysis throughout Game 3:
Trading catcher’s interference for a two-run single
And it’s a four-run fourth inning for the Yankees, who have chased Early as Judge comes to bat vs. reliever Justin Slaten.
Another Red Sox regret?
Bellinger’s catchable shallow fly to center drops into a triangle of Red Sox for a double to start the Yankee fourth…
…and three batters later, Amed Rosario grounds an RBI single to left, making it 1-0 Yankees.
Boone pregame: “I like Rosie’s bat in there vs. the lefty to get us some balance.”
Just a thought, Part I
Asked before the game if Max Fried might be available for a batter or two if needed tonight, Boone said he hadn’t yet checked with him.
Fried threw 102 pitches in Tuesday’s Game 1, you’ll recall.
And this might mean something, or nothing, but Garrett Crochet (117 pitches Tuesday) and Brayan Bello (28 pitches last night) are listed among the Red Sox relievers on the media scorecard (on the NYY side, Fried is not).
Early results
Connelly Early has used an effective mix of curveballs and changeups (plus sinkers, sliders and a 95-mph fastball) to generally keep the Yankees and Aaron Judge off-balance through the first three innings.
We all know the Judge postseason narrative, which will be another big talking point if the Yanks exit October early. He’s 0-for-2 tonight, but with four hits (really three) this series, all singles.
A shout out to the scouts
As the Yankee shortstop Anthony Volpe comes to bat in the third inning…
There was a pregame moment of silence for Dick Groch, who passed away at 84. Groch signed a young Derek Jeter out of Kalamazoo, memorably saying: He’s not going to the University of Michigan; he’s going to Cooperstown.
Of note, the two Massachusetts kids playing prominent roles for the Yanks tonight, Ben Rice (12th round, Dartmouth) and Cam Schlittler (7th round, Northeastern) were signed by Matt Hyde, the Yanks’ NE area scout.
Battle of rookies, but for how long?
Early does a nice job, retiring the side – starting with Ben Rice – after that second inning leadoff double to Stanton.
Alex Cora was very aggressive with his bullpen last night, taking out Bello in the third inning and playing it like an elimination game.
As for Cam Schlittler, Boone said he’d give his rookie righty “some rope” tonight.
Boone pregame: “I’m treating (Cam) like he’s got a chance to go out as good as anyone I’m going to bring in to shut them down.”
Giancarlo’s 114.5-mph double
And it was 50-50 if he’d get to second base in time, after that 393-foot drive off the left-center field wall to start the home second.
That was Stanton’s first base hit in nine ABs this series. Before the game, he was out early, swinging against the high-velocity pitch machine.
First impressions
The 2025 Yankees belted an MLB-record 50 home runs in the first inning of games this year, and that’s the “early” trap rookie lefty Connelly Early needs to avoid here as Grisham, Judge and Bellinger bat in the bottom of the first.
Of course, Ben Rice went deep in last night’s first inning, on his first postseason swing. Rice is batting fifth tonight, behind Gianclaro Stanton – 0-for-8 so far, but getting some decent swings in this series.
Ceremonial first pitch: Bucky Dent, who else?
This is Bucky Dent Day, a national holiday in the Bronx and a day to forget in Boston.
On the 47th anniversary of his famous home run at Fenway Park, sending the Yanks to the ALCS, Dent tosses out the ceremonial first pitch – following Willie Randolph in Game 1 and Bernie Williams in Game 2.
What time is Yankees vs Red Sox game today?
Time: 8:08 p.m.
Major League Baseball moved the game back two hours from its original 6:08 p.m. start after the Dodgers eliminated the Reds on Wednesday night.
What channel is Yankees vs Red Sox game today?
TV: ESPN
Stream Yankees vs. Red Sox games on Fubo (free trial)
Yankees vs Red Sox schedule in AL Wild Card series
Game 1: Tuesday
Boston 3, Yankees 1
Game 2: Wednesday
Yankees 4, Boston 3
Game 3: Thursday
Boston at Yankees, 8:08 p.m.
