The Rivalry Continues in the Bronx
By Jack Nevins
The newest chapter in the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox rivalry is opened. This series is more than just playoff survival. In postseason history, the two teams have met six times, with Boston dominating recent matchups, including victories in the 2004 ALCS, 2018 ALDS, and the 2021 Wild Card. The rivalry adds an extra layer of intensity, making every pitch, every swing, and every decision feel bigger than the game itself, and Monday night was no exception. Fans can expect the intensity to ratchet up even further tonight as the Yankees try to force a deciding game and the Red Sox look to punch their ticket to the next round.
The Red Sox came into Yankee Stadium on Monday night and left with a 3–1 victory over the Yankees, taking the first game of the AL Wild Card Series and putting New York in a tough spot for tonight’s do-or-die Game 2.
The Yankees got on the board first. Anthony Volpe crushed a solo homer off Boston starter Garrett Crochet in the bottom of the second, giving New York an early lead. But Crochet quickly settled in, shutting down the Yankees’ lineup over seven innings while striking out 11 and allowing just four hits. Max Fried, making his first postseason start in pinstripes, matched the Sox pitcher with six scoreless innings of his own, letting up four hits and striking out six. It was the first time a Yankees pitcher threw six or more scoreless innings in a playoff debut since Mike Mussina in 2001.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone faced criticism for removing Fried after six innings and 102 pitches. Boone explained, “I felt like his command was not as good as those final few. He was making so many big pitches, and his stuff was good. He gave us what we needed and felt really good about the outing he put forth, but I felt pretty convicted. Especially when we got the double play, it’s like, Let’s go get one more hitter and be good”. The Yankees manager felt confident in his starter and like what he produced on the mound Monday night, trying to stay hopeful for the do-or-die game Tuesday night.
The game turned in the seventh inning, when Masataka Yoshida’s two-run hit tied the game and shifted momentum squarely to Boston. The Yankees loaded the bases in the ninth with no outs, but Aroldis Chapman, a former Yankee himself, escaped the jam and surprised baseball fans while doing so, and closed out the win. Alex Bregman added an insurance RBI double in the ninth to make it 3–1.
Tonight, the Yankees will turn to Carlos Rodón to keep their season alive, while Boston counters with Brayan Bello, who will make his first postseason start. Rodón has had mixed results against Boston this season, but the Yankees will need him to be sharp from the first pitch. Bello, meanwhile, brings fire and intensity from a strong regular season and a Boston lineup riding the momentum from Game 1.
The storylines are clear: Can the Yankees score early and take pressure off their bullpen? Will Rodón settle in, or will Boston’s hitters attack early? And how will the late-inning matchups shake out, with New York facing elimination?
A Yankees win tonight forces a winner-take-all Game 3 at home. A Red Sox win, however, ends the series and sends Boston to face the top-seeded Blue Jays.
