The Boston Red Sox have reached the first win-or-go-home game of their postseason.
Boston returns to Yankee Stadium tonight for Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series after the New York Yankees opened the best-of-three matchup with a convincing 9–0 victory Tuesday night.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET in the Bronx.
For New York, the equation is simple: win and advance.
For Boston, there is no tomorrow without a victory tonight.
Yankees Take Control in Game 1
Game 1 quickly turned into a difficult night for Boston.
Yankees starter Cam Schlittler kept the Red Sox offense under control, while Ben Rice delivered the biggest performance at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two home runs and six RBIs.
Boston managed only three hits in the 9–0 loss, continuing an offensive slump that followed the club into the postseason. The Red Sox finished September last in MLB in runs per game, batting average and OPS.
That offense now needs to find an answer against Max Fried.
Sonny Gray Gets the Ball for Boston
If Boston is going to extend its season, Sonny Gray gives the club a legitimate opportunity.
The 36-year-old right-hander finished the regular season 18–5 with a 2.72 ERA and 20 quality starts.
More importantly, Gray pitched extremely well against the Yankees this year. He posted a 1.98 ERA over 13⅔ innings against New York, with Boston winning both of his starts.
In an elimination game, Boston will need another performance in that range.
Max Fried Stands in Boston’s Way
New York will answer with Max Fried, creating an excellent pitching matchup.
Fried finished the season with a 2.80 ERA and has historically been difficult for Boston to solve. His career regular-season ERA against the Red Sox sits at 1.93.
That continued this season, when Fried held Boston to just one run across 11⅔ innings in two starts.
The matchup puts even more pressure on a Red Sox lineup that struggled badly in Game 1.
Boston Without Roman Anthony in the Starting Lineup
Boston will also have to attempt the comeback without Roman Anthony in the starting lineup.
Anthony left Game 1 after experiencing discomfort in his right hand and wrist and was left out of Boston’s starting lineup for Game 2.
That removes another important bat from a lineup already searching for offense.
The Yankees have a significant absence of their own. Aaron Judge is not on New York’s Wild Card Series roster as he continues his recovery from a right soleus strain.
Red Sox vs. Yankees Game 2 Odds
The Yankees enter tonight as the betting favorite.
DraftKings odds reported Wednesday afternoon had New York at -136 on the moneyline and Boston at +113. The Yankees were -1.5 (+162) on the run line, while Boston was +1.5 (-198).
The total was set at 6.5 runs, with the Over at -122 and Under at +101. Odds can move leading into first pitch.
Considering Gray and Fried are taking the mound, the pitching matchup could look very different from Tuesday’s 9–0 result.
One Game From October or One Game From Home
The pressure is entirely on Boston now.
Since MLB introduced the best-of-three Wild Card Series, teams winning Game 1 have gone on to win 21 of the first 24 series, including 17 sweeps.
The Red Sox have the starter capable of giving them a chance to change that tonight.
But eventually, their offense has to respond.
For the Yankees, another win sends them into the American League Division Series.
For Boston, the season comes down to nine innings in the Bronx.
Red Sox vs. Yankees Game 2 begins tonight at 8:00 PM ET from Yankee Stadium.