The legendary rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees is back for the 2026 Wild Card Series. The two teams are set to battle in a best-of-three series. The series will air exclusively on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. Fans are eager to see the first match-up of this year’s postseason. Key dates and information are available for those planning to watch the action.

Series Schedule

The series begins at Yankee Stadium with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday, September 29. Game 2 will take place on Wednesday, September 30, with Game 3 on Thursday, October 1, if necessary. Broadcast times are yet to be finalized for Game 3.

• Game 1: Tuesday, September 29, 8:00pm ET
• Game 2: Wednesday, September 30, 8:00pm ET
• Game 3: Thursday, October 1, Time TBA

Viewing Options

All games will be broadcast on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. In-depth recaps will be available on Peacock and the NBC Sports YouTube channel, featuring insights from Hall of Famer CC Sabathia.

Probable Pitchers and Key Players

The Yankees’ starting pitchers are likely to include Cam Schlittler and Max Fried, with Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole available for Game 3. The Red Sox may rely on rookie Payton Tolle, Sonny Gray, and Ranger Suarez.

• Aaron Judge: Returning from an injury, he is eager to play in the series.
• Cam Schlittler: Expected Cy Young contender and likely starter in Game 1 or 2.
• Payton Tolle: Impressive rookie season with strong performances against the Yankees.
• Aroldis Chapman: Top closer, supported by setup man Garrett Whitlock.

Previous Encounters

The Yankees narrowly led the season series 7-6, performing well on home turf with a 4-2 record. In past playoffs, the teams have had memorable battles, such as the 2025 Wild Card where the Yankees advanced, and the 2004 ALCS where the Red Sox made a historic comeback.

MLB Wild Card Series Format

The Wild Card Series follows a best-of-three format, with the higher seed hosting all games. The series runs from September 29 to October 1, with a potential Game 3 on October 1. The matchups include AL/NL No. 3 seeds facing No. 6 seeds and No. 4 seeds facing No. 5 seeds.

Watching the MLB Wild Card Round

The Wild Card Series is accessible through NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. Fans can subscribe to Peacock, available on several devices. NBCSN can also be accessed via YouTube TV, Fubo, and Xfinity.