By Harshit | October 1, 2025 | New York | 1:00 AM EDT
NEW YORK – The Boston Red Sox have once again established dominance over the New York Yankees in the American League Wild-Card Series. Alex Cora’s tactical brilliance and rookie left-hander Garrett Crochet propelled Boston to a 3-1 victory in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium, leaving Aaron Boone’s 94-win Yankees facing a steep uphill climb in the best-of-three series.
Crochet Delivers in Postseason Debut
Crochet, making his first career playoff start, showcased poise beyond his years. The 6-foot-7 lefty threw a career-high 117 pitches, consistently touching triple-digit velocity while striking out 16 batters, including Anthony Volpe. He allowed only a single run, keeping Boston firmly in control throughout the contest.
“He’s the best pitcher in the game,” Yankees slugger Aaron Judge acknowledged after the game, highlighting the respect Crochet earned in his first postseason appearance. His dominance allowed Cora to leverage matchups effectively, keeping left-handed hitters Jazz Chisholm and Ben Rice on the bench while using relievers like Aroldis Chapman strategically.
After eight strong innings from Crochet, Cora turned to Chapman to close out a tense ninth inning, with the bases loaded. The result was textbook postseason execution: a blend of preparation, trust in the players, and precise timing.
Cora’s Strategic Mastery
Alex Cora’s playoff reputation continues to grow. He now owns an 18-8 career postseason record and has won five of six playoff games against the Yankees across three postseasons since 2018.
In Game 1, Cora carefully managed both his starter and bullpen, deliberately avoiding matchups that could favor New York’s right-handed hitters. The Yankees managed just seven hits—only one for extra bases—and a single run despite entering the series as the higher-seeded team.
“Rice was there. I trust Chappy against the righties,” Cora said postgame, underscoring the confidence and planning that underpin his postseason decisions.
Yankees Struggle With Opportunities
Aaron Boone’s in-game decisions, however, drew scrutiny. Max Fried, who had been strong on the mound, was removed after 102 pitches in the seventh inning. Luke Weaver, tasked with finishing the Red Sox off, allowed a key walk and double, setting the stage for Boston’s go-ahead rally.
Nate Eaton, Romy Gonzalez, and Jarren Duran capitalized on these opportunities, driving in the tying and winning runs. Boston’s combination of opportunistic hitting and Cora’s tactical use of Crochet flipped a 1-0 deficit into a decisive 3-1 victory.
Boone praised Cora’s leadership: “I think he is also a tremendous leader, and they take on his personality. They play hard for him. That’s a tribute to how he runs things.”
Boston Holds Postseason Momentum
The Red Sox now hold the upper hand, and history is on their side. No team has ever come back from a 1-0 deficit to win a wild-card series under the current format, placing additional pressure on the Yankees heading into Game 2.
Carlos Rodón will face Brayan Bello at Yankee Stadium in the series’ second game. Boston will aim to extend its advantage, relying on the same combination of managerial acumen, pitching depth, and timely hitting that has defined Cora’s postseason teams.
With Crochet’s performance and the bullpen executing flawlessly, the Yankees find themselves chasing a Red Sox squad that thrives when the stakes are highest. Cora’s ability to neutralize threats and maximize his players’ strengths continues to define his playoff legacy.
