Yankees Blank Red Sox 9-0 Behind Cam Schlittler’s Playoff Masterpiece

Cam Schlittler Dominates Red Sox Again

The New York Yankees opened their American League Wild Card Series with another dominant postseason performance from Cam Schlittler, while Ben Rice delivered a historic night at the plate to power a 9-0 victory over the rival Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.

Schlittler once again overwhelmed the Red Sox when the stakes were highest. The Massachusetts native tossed 6⅓ scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out 10 as the Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. A year after throwing eight scoreless innings against his hometown team in a win-or-go-home Game 3, Schlittler produced another playoff gem against Boston.

Massachusetts Native Delivers Another Postseason Masterpiece

Schlittler entered the postseason as a clear frontrunner for the American League Cy Young Award after leading the league with a 1.95 ERA. He looked every bit like an ace Tuesday, keeping Boston’s lineup off balance throughout his outing.

The 25-year-old right-hander struck out 10 and walked only one while throwing 117 pitches over 6⅓ innings. The pitch total was 10 higher than his previous career high and marked the most pitches thrown by a Yankees postseason starter since Hall of Fame left-hander CC Sabathia threw 121 against Baltimore in the 2012 AL Division Series.

With one out in the seventh inning, Yankees manager Aaron Boone emerged from the dugout to take the ball from Schlittler. The Yankee Stadium crowd responded with a standing ovation and chants of “MVP!” for the pitcher. Schlittler’s latest performance added another remarkable chapter to his rapidly developing postseason history against Boston.

Hometown Connection Makes Rice’s Night Even More Memorable

While Schlittler silenced the Red Sox lineup, Ben Rice tormented his hometown team from the batter’s box. Rice, who grew up a Yankees fan about 45 minutes from Fenway Park, went 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double and six RBIs. His biggest swing came late in the game when he launched a grand slam to put the Yankees firmly in control.

The performance continued a breakout 2026 campaign for Rice and gave New York’s offense plenty of production despite playing without star slugger Aaron Judge, who was sidelined by a calf injury. Rice and Schlittler share an unusual connection to Tuesday’s opponent.

Both were raised in Massachusetts surrounded by Red Sox fans and attended college in New England before being selected by the Yankees out of Boston’s backyard in the amateur draft. Rice turned that connection into one of the biggest offensive performances of his young postseason career.

George Lombard Jr. Impresses in Postseason Debut

Rice wasn’t the only Yankees hitter to make an impact. Austin Wells, batting ninth, drove in two runs, while 21-year-old rookie George Lombard Jr. collected three hits in his postseason debut.

The Yankees consistently pressured Boston’s pitching staff while Schlittler and the bullpen kept the Red Sox from generating any offensive momentum. With Judge unavailable, New York needed other hitters to step forward, and Rice provided more than enough production to lead the way.

Yankees Take 1-0 Series Lead

The 9-0 victory gives the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series and puts Boston in a must-win situation in the next game. For the Yankees, the opening-game formula could hardly have been better: dominant pitching from their ace, a historic offensive performance from Rice and contributions from several young players.

Schlittler once again proved capable of rising to the occasion against Boston, while Rice delivered the offensive fireworks. Now the Yankees will look to close out the series and advance, while the Red Sox face elimination after being shut out in the playoff opener.