The New York Yankees lost 3-1 to the Boston Red Sox in game 1 of the AL East wild card series. Yankees starter Max Fried pitched a solid game to keep the Red Sox bats quiet. Through 6.1 innings on Tuesday, Fried allowed 4 hits, 3 walks, along with 6 strikeouts and no earned runs. Fried gave up a hit in the 7th, causing manager Aaron Boone to walk to the mound and take the ball from Fried, a premature move in my opinion. The veteran lefty had thrown 102 pitches at this point in the game. One can say that, from manager Aaron Boone’s perspective, his ace had thrown enough or was low on energy, but Fried displayed no such effects. Max Fried continued throwing strikes, a clear sign his command was not diminished due to fatigue.
The Yankees’ only run came off the bat of SS Anthony Volpe, whose regular-season struggles made him the prime target for the media. Garrett Crochet pitched a gem for the Red Sox despite giving up a homer. The lefty pitched 7.2 innings, gave up 4 hits, 11 strikeouts, a 1 ER.
Despite giving up a hit with 1 out in the 7th, Fried needed to remain in the game. IT’S THE PLAYOFFS, BABY! Maybe someone should inform Boone of that concept. Fried deserved to finish the 7th; he’s clutch in big moments and a tremendous competitor. Unfortunately for Aaron Boone, he is on the biggest stage, showing baseball analysts why he is incompetent as a manager. Yankees fans have regularly seen these questionable decisions being repeated during the regular season.
Boone’s decision to go to the bullpen and hand the ball to Luke Weaver, with a 3.62 ERA, is laughable. The “dream” Weaver has been less than stellar in key moments for the Yankees in 2025. The once dependable arm out of the bullpen is now a shadow of its former self on the mound. Perhaps the rumors circulating about Weaver not wanting to remain a bullpen arm but instead join a starter role have altered his focus. Either way, Boone’s stubbornness forbids him from realizing that the “dream” Weaver is now a nightmare. Weaver went on to give up 2 runs to end the 7th, followed by Closer David Bednar giving up a run in the 9th to make it 3-1 in Boston’s favor. Aaron Boone’s biggest mistake in Game 1, however, occurred in the 9th inning.
Yankees veteran 1st baseman Paul Goldschmidt hits a bloop single in the outfield, allowing him to reach 1st base, perfect. Rather than substituting the 38-year-old veteran, Boone chose to keep him on the bases, ultimately jeopardizing any opportunity the Yankees had to score a run or possibly tie the game. Boone has a knack for subbing players in and out of the lineup as often as he blows bubbles out of his gum. Pinch running Jasson Dominguez for Goldy would have been a smarter move, especially after Aaron Judge gets a base hit, followed by Bellinger to load the bases with no outs against Red Sox closer and former Yankees closer, Aroldis Chapman.
The bizarre thing is the Yankees have been practicing bunting for moments like last night, and yet not a single bunt was attempted. With Goldschmidt at 3rd, the bunt is impossible with his speed. It’s the same song and dance with this Yankee’s lineup; it’s home run or nothing. With the exception of Volpe, Aaron Judge, who went 2-4, Goldschmidt 2-4, and Bellinger 1-4, everyone else did not register a hit or earn a walk.
The Yankees continue to hurt themselves in the later innings of the game, which are also the most crucial, especially in the postseason. Boone is incapable of leading the Yankees to another World Series Championship. Boone’s inability to make the right decision has grown tiresome with fans and analysts alike.
Aaron Boone and the Yankees play Game 2 on Wednesday in a must-win situation. Let’s hope the Yankees’ bats wake up and Boone doesn’t accidentally sabotage another game.
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