In a tense Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Yankees, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora made a bold call that didn't quite pay off. Brayan Bello, the young starter who's been a fixture in the rotation this season, took the mound at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night. But after just a few innings, Cora yanked him early, opting instead to burn through six relievers in a desperate bid to claw back from a 4-3 deficit. The move left fans scratching their heads, as the Red Sox ultimately fell short, dropping the series and facing elimination.
Bello's outing wasn't stellar, sure. He struggled with command early on, allowing runs that put Boston in a hole. Yet, at 25, he's shown flashes of brilliance this year—think that complete game shutout against the Rockies back in July, where he racked up 10 strikeouts. Cora, ever the tactician from his 2018 World Series days, defended the decision postgame, saying it was about preserving the bullpen for what could be a do-or-die Game 3. Still, using half the relief corps in one loss feels like a gamble, especially with the playoffs' razor-thin margins. Indeed, the Red Sox have leaned on Bello heavily, even through his shoulder tweaks earlier in the season that sidelined him for stretches.
However, Cora's history with Bello speaks to a deeper trust. Remember last May, when they had that dugout heart-to-heart after a rough start against the Orioles? Bello bounced back strong, posting a sub-3 ERA over his next few turns. This time, though, the early hook seemed premature. The Yankees capitalized, their bats timing Bello just enough to build that lead. Moreover, Cora's choice to swap catchers—going with Carlos Narvaez over Connor Wong, Bello's usual battery mate—added another layer of intrigue. He called it a defensive tweak, not a slight on Wong, but it didn't spark the magic needed.
The loss stings for a Red Sox team that surged late into the playoffs. Bello, for his part, stayed stoic, focusing on the team's fight. As Boston heads into potential oblivion, one wonders if Cora's aggressive managing will haunt or define this postseason run.