What long seemed likely is now official: The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is returning to the AL wild-card round.

For the second straight year, the Yankees will host the Red Sox in the best-of-three series beginning Tuesday in The Bronx.

The rematch was locked in on Friday after the Red Sox beat the Cubs in the first game of a doubleheader to secure the second wild card.

Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler pitches during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. Noah K. Murray for NY Post

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Payton Tolle pumps his fist after completing the top of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Boston. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

The Yankees won last year’s playoff showdown, with Cam Schlittler dominating his hometown team in the clinching Game 3, though the momentum did not last long, as they fell to the Blue Jays in the ALDS.

This year, the AL East champion Rays will be awaiting the winner of the Yankees and Red Sox in the ALDS.

The Yankees narrowly claimed the season series against the Red Sox, 7-6.

But their archrivals present a difficult matchup with a heavy dose of left-handed pitching, which could give the Yankees’ lefty-heavy lineup some trouble, especially if it is missing Aaron Judge, who is trying to make it back in time from a moderate calf strain.