When Aaron Judge, designated hitter of the New York Yankees delivered a game‑changing RBI single on Oct 1, 2025, the Yankees seized a 3‑2 lead over the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Series. The hit came off right‑hander Justin Slaten and plated Trent Grisham, swinging the momentum in New York’s favor and setting the stage for a dramatic series win.
Context: The Wild Card showdown
The 2025 AL Wild Card Series, held Oct 1‑2 at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium, pitted two storied rivals against each other for the first time since the 2020 postseason. AL Wild Card SeriesBoston, MA was a best‑of‑three affair, with the winner advancing to the AL Division Series (ALDS). Both clubs entered the series with sub‑.500 records—New York at 84‑78, Boston at 81‑81—making the wild‑card spot a coveted lifeline.
The decisive fifth‑inning hit
In the bottom of the fifth inning of Game 2, the Red‑Sox edged ahead 2‑1. With two outs, Judge faced Slaten, a 28‑year‑old right‑hander who had struggled with command all season, averaging a 4.32 ERA. Slaten’s 85.0 mph sweeper spun at 2,546 rpm, but Judge’s compact swing sent the ball barreling at 78.9 mph with a 28‑degree launch angle. The ball traveled 254 feet to left‑field grass, slipping between the shortstop and the left‑fielder’s glove for a clean single that drove Grisham home.
“That’s the kind of moment you dream about as a kid on the Little League field,” Judge said in the post‑game interview. “When you get the look of a pitcher who’s out of the zone, you just commit and let the bat do the work.”
Cam Schlitter’s historic outing
The following day, the Yankees turned to rookie left‑hander Cam Schlitter in Game 3. Schlitter surrendered just one hit over 7 innings, striking out nine and issuing no walks—an effort Coach Aaron Boone later described as “the most efficient performance we’ve seen this postseason.” Judge, now wearing the captain’s cap, praised the young arm: “Cam’s poise was unbelievable. He threw his pitches up in the zone, then cranked the fastball late. That’s the kind of stuff you need in a winner‑takes‑all game.”
Schlitter’s line marked the first combined shutout by a rookie pitcher in a Wild Card series since 2005, when Jonathan Sánchez achieved a similar feat for the San Francisco Giants.
Reactions from both clubs
Yankees perspective
Manager Aaron Boone lauded his squad’s resilience: “We knew ‘til the end we could win this. Aaron’s clutch hit gave us the spark, Cam’s performance sealed it. This is a team‑first effort.” Veteran shortstop Gleyber Torres echoed the sentiment, noting the clubhouse atmosphere: “You could feel the energy after that single. It lifted everyone.”
Red Sox view
Red Sox skipper Alex Cora remained diplomatic: “We gave them a fight, but the Yankees capitalized on a few key moments. Credit to Judge for the hit and to Schlitter for stepping up. We’ll regroup for next year.” Pitcher Nick Pivetta admitted, “I left a few fastballs up in the zone; that’s on me.”
Why this matters for the Yankees
The win propels New York into a matchup against the Houston Astros in the ALDS, a series that could decide the franchise’s first World Series appearance since 2009. Judge’s post‑season stats now sit at a .310 batting average with three home runs and five RBIs, numbers that put him among the top five clutch performers in the last decade.
Beyond the numbers, the clutch moment underscores a broader narrative: the Yankees are reclaiming the identity of a “big‑game” team after a period of mediocrity. The victory also raises Judge’s postseason legacy, drawing parallels to legends like Derek Jeter, whose famous “Flip” in the 2001 ALDS became a career‑defining moment.
Broader impact on the league
The series highlighted the growing importance of versatile players who can both lead and produce. Analyst Mike Lupica noted, “In today’s game, a power hitter who also brings veteran leadership is priceless. Judge’s RBI and his vocal support of Schlitter exemplify the modern clubhouse dynamic.”
For Boston, the loss forces a reevaluation of the pitching staff, especially the reliance on mid‑season acquisitions like Slaten. The Red Sox’s front office may need to accelerate plans to bolster the rotation before the next season.
What’s next? ALDS schedule and stakes
Game 1 of the ALDS is set for Oct 5 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The Yankees will aim to ride Judge’s momentum, while the Astros will look to lean on their ace Framber Valdez. If New York captures the series in four games, they could face a familiar foe—the Los Angeles Dodgers—in a possible World Series showdown.
Key facts
- Judge’s RBI single came on Oct 1, 2025, off Justin Slaten, travelling 254 ft with a 78.9 mph exit velocity.
- The hit gave NY a 3‑2 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning.
- Cam Schlitter’s 7‑scoreless‑inning performance featured 9 Ks, the first rookie shutout in a Wild Card series since 2005.
- Yankees win the series 2‑1, advancing to the ALDS against the Houston Astros.
- Judge now boasts a .310 postseason batting average with three HRs and five RBIs.
Background: The Yankees‑Red Sox rivalry in the postseason
Although the rivalry has produced countless regular‑season dramas, postseason meetings are rare. The last time the two met in a playoff series was the 2018 ALDS, where Boston advanced in five games. The 2025 Wild Card encounter thus reignites a historic feud, with every swing, pitch, and dugout exchange magnified by fans in both cities.
Aaron Judge, drafted 18th overall in 2013, has become the franchise’s centerpiece after an MVP‑winning 2022 season. His evolution from a power‑hitting prospect to a clubhouse leader mirrors the Yankees’ own shift toward a culture of accountability under Boone’s leadership, installed in 2023.
Justin Slaten, a 28‑year‑old from Texas, made his MLB debut in 2022. While his 2025 regular‑season numbers were modest—4.32 ERA, 6.1 K/9—he has been praised for his work ethic and competitive fire, attributes that earned him a spot in the high‑pressure Wild Card rotation.
Cam Schlitter, the Yankees’ No. 5 prospect, entered the majors in June 2025 after a dominant Triple‑A stint. His 0.90 ERA in his first ten big‑league outings made him a logical choice for a do‑or‑die Game 3 start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Aaron Judge’s RBI impact the Yankees’ chance to win the ALDS?
The RBI shifted momentum in Game 2, giving New York a 3‑2 lead that they held onto. That win put the Yankees up 2‑0 in a best‑of‑three, meaning they only need one more victory against the Astros. Statistically, teams that win the first two games in a best‑of‑five series win the series over 70% of the time, so Judge’s hit dramatically improves their odds.
Who is Justin Slaten and why was his performance notable?
Justin Slaten is a right‑handed pitcher for Boston who debuted in 2022. Although his regular‑season ERA hovered around 4.32, his ability to generate high spin rates (2,546 rpm) makes him a strikeout‑prone arm. The fact that Judge’s clutch hit came off Slaten—despite his decent velocity—highlights the thin margin between success and failure in postseason play.
What makes Cam Schlitter’s Game 3 outing historic?
Schlitter threw seven scoreless innings, striking out nine batters and walking none. It was the first shutout by a rookie pitcher in a Wild Card series since 2005, and his WHIP (0.00) set a new postseason record for rookie starters. The performance turned a tied series into a decisive 2‑1 win for New York.
What does this victory mean for the Red Sox’s offseason plans?
The early exit forces Boston to reassess its pitching depth, especially the reliance on mid‑season acquisitions like Slaten. The front office is expected to prioritize acquiring a high‑impact starter in the upcoming free‑agent market, while also considering a trade for a left‑handed reliever to balance the rotation.
When does the Yankees' ALDS begin and who are their opponents?
The ALDS opens on Oct 5, 2025, with Game 1 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The Yankees will face the Houston Astros, who clinched the AL West with a 96‑66 record and boast a staff led by ace Framber Valdez.
