Start Time Changed For Red Sox’s Winner-Take-All Game 3 Vs. Yankees

Boston Red Sox fans must stay up a bit later to see how a thrilling Wild Card Series with the New York Yankees ends.

Game 3, like the first two matchups at Yankee Stadium, was originally scheduled to start at 6:08 p.m. ET. However, MLB moved back the start time.

ESPN will televise the winner-take-all showdown at 8:08 p.m. ET. The victor advances to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series.

Some Red Sox legends played a role in the shift. Dave Roberts led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a two-game sweep over Terry Francona’s Cincinnati Reds. Every other series requires a Game 3, and MLB moved each back two hours since the Dodgers and Reds are no longer playing at 9 p.m. ET.

The Cleveland Guardians will face the Detroit Tigers at 3:08 p.m. ET on ABC, and the Chicago Cubs will host the San Diego Padres at 5:08 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Boston and New York will thus close the opening round. Karl Ravech, David Cone and Eduardo Pérez will call the game for ESPN.

The Red Sox began the series with a 3-1 win behind a memorable performance from Garrett Crochet, who allowed one run and tallied 11 strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings. Aroldis Chapman pitched out of trouble in the ninth to secure a pivotal Game 1 victory over his former team.

Alex Cora took a different approach on Wednesday, yanking Brayan Bello in the third inning. Boston erased two deficits before Austin Wells drove in the go-ahead run off Garrett Whitlock in the eighth to give New York a 4-3 win.

Each American League East squad will send out a rookie to start Thursday night’s win-or-go-home showdown. With Lucas Giolito sidelined, Connelly Early will make just his fifth career appearance for the Red Sox in a monumental spot.

Meanwhile, Boston native Cam Schlittler takes the mound for New York after registering a 2.96 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 73 innings.