The New York Yankees tied the score at 6-6 against the Toronto Blue Jays in the middle of the seventh inning of ALDS Game 3, played Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, New York. Aaron Judge hit a three-run home run that shifted the game’s momentum, after the Blue Jays built an early 6-1 lead. The outcome of the matchup, broadcast on FS1, now hinges on the performance of both teams’ pitchers, with the Yankees needing to avoid elimination in a series they trail 2-0.
The game started with Canadian dominance, but the New York rally brought balance to the playoff contest.
Shane Bieber, Blue Jays’ pitcher, allowed three runs in the fourth inning, including Judge’s double that drove in runs.
Carlos Rodón, Yankees’ starter, gave up two runs in 2.1 innings, striking out six.
Early offense sets the game’s pace
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the first, driving in Davis Schneider.
Daulton Varsho extended the lead to 3-0 with a single in the third, advancing Guerrero to score.
Ernie Clement and Anthony Santander added hits in the same inning, pushing the score to 6-1 after Yankees’ defensive errors.
The Yankee Stadium crowd witnessed 10 hits from the Blue Jays in the first four innings.
Judge’s highlights spark comeback
Aaron Judge connected a three-run homer against pitcher Camilo Doval, tying the game at 6.
The right fielder went 3-for-3 in the inning, including an RBI double in the fourth.
Giancarlo Stanton added a sacrifice fly that drove in Cody Bellinger, cutting the deficit to 6-3.
Ben Rice recorded a sacrifice fly in the sixth, allowing Judge to cross home plate.
- Judge leads the Yankees with 53 home runs in the 2025 regular season.
- He has a .524 batting average in the playoffs, with four RBIs in the game.
- His performance boosts the Yankees’ win probability to 95.3%, per ESPN analytics.
Bullpens face intense pressure
Fernando Cruz, Yankees’ reliever, allowed one run in the second but recovered with three straight outs.
The Blue Jays used Tommy Hill and Danny Williams to contain the rally, with Hill pitching a clean inning.
Both bullpens have a 2.45 ERA in the playoffs, but fielding errors increased runs allowed.
The game paused for two minutes after a field invasion by fans, handled by stadium security.
Reliefs indicate the Yankees swapped two pitchers in the fifth to preserve strength for late innings.
Injuries concern rosters in final stretch
The Blue Jays are without Chris Bassitt and Bo Bichette, both on the 15-day injured list, expected back by October 12.
Jose Berrios, another starter, remains out with a similar injury, impacting the rotation for upcoming games.
For the Yankees, Jonathan Loáisiga and Oswaldo Cabrera face long recoveries, until February 2026.
Brent Headrick, a reliever, returns on October 12, but Eric Reyzelman and Chase Hampton are out until April.
These absences force tactical adjustments, with coaches prioritizing fatigue management in the playoffs.
Stats reveal series balance
Toronto leads the series with 23 runs across two games, compared to nine for the Yankees.
The Blue Jays recorded eight hits and one home run in Game 3 through the seventh inning.
New York countered with 10 hits and two home runs, leading in total bases 20 to 13.
The Yankees’ win probability rose to 95.3% after Judge’s homer.
- Runners left on base: five for each team.
- Fielding errors: two by the Yankees, none by the Blue Jays.
- Total strikeouts: 22 by the Yankees, 11 by the Blue Jays.
Outlook for final innings
The game continues with Jasson Domínguez and Jorbit Vivas for the Yankees facing Toronto’s defense.
Davis Schneider and Guerrero Jr. lead the Blue Jays’ lineup, focusing on quick counterattacks.
Umpires like Jordan Baker and Tony Randazzo oversee the game under 21°C weather in the Bronx.
The series may extend to Game 4 on Wednesday if the Yankees force a tie.
