In a tense Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora made a gutsy call that didn't quite pan out. Brayan Bello, the young right-hander looking to solidify his spot in the rotation, took the mound against the rival Yankees at Yankee Stadium. But Cora yanked him after just four innings, with the score tied at 2-2, turning to a parade of six relievers that ultimately couldn't hold the line. The Sox fell 4-3, putting them on the brink in this best-of-three matchup.
Bello, who's been a mixed bag this season with a 3.07 ERA over 146 innings, scattered five hits but walked three in his brief outing. Indeed, the pressure of postseason play seemed to weigh on him early, as New York scratched out runs off a couple of timely hits. Cora later explained the hook was about preserving the bullpen for a potential Game 3, but critics are already questioning if it was too hasty, especially with Bello showing flashes of dominance in recent starts.
Moreover, Cora stirred some eyebrows with a last-minute catcher switch, opting for Carlos Narvaez over Bello's usual battery mate, Connor Wong. Narvaez, a solid defender with a better bat lately, was meant to steady things behind the plate. However, it didn't change the script much—Bello's stuff was there, but command faltered just enough to let the Yankees capitalize. The Red Sox offense, sparked by a Trevor Story homer that briefly tied it, couldn't muster more against New York's arms.
Now, as Boston heads into what could be a do-or-die Game 3, Cora's choices hang in the balance. Bello's postseason debut exposed the raw edges of a pitcher still growing into his role, yet his potential remains a bright spot for a team that's fought through injuries and inconsistencies all year. The loss stings, no doubt, but it also highlights the fine line managers walk in October.
Will Cora trust Bello again if the series extends, or pivot to another arm? It's a decision that could define the Red Sox's wild card hopes.