In a tense Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora made a bold call that didn't pay off, pulling starter Brayan Bello after just two innings against the New York Yankees. The Red Sox fell 4-3 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night, putting them on the brink of elimination with the series now at 2-0. Bello, who entered with a solid 3.85 ERA over 30 starts this season, struggled immediately, surrendering three runs on four hits, including a two-run homer to Aaron Judge.
Cora wasted no time yanking Bello, turning to a parade of relievers—six in total—that couldn't quite stem the tide. Indeed, the decision highlighted Cora's aggressive bullpen strategy, but it left fans and analysts scratching their heads. Why pull a young ace so soon? Cora later explained it was about protecting Bello from further damage in a high-stakes matchup, noting the pitcher's recent fatigue after a grueling regular season. Yet, the move burned through Boston's bullpen arms, with closer Kenley Jansen ultimately faltering in the late innings.
Adding to the intrigue, Cora opted for a last-minute catcher switch, benching Connor Wong in favor of Carlos Narvaez behind the plate for Bello. The manager defended it as a defensive tweak, praising Narvaez's glove work and at-bats, but it raised eyebrows—Wong had been Bello's battery mate all year. However, Cora insisted it wouldn't alter their approach, just a fresh pairing to shake things up. Bello himself stayed mum post-game, but the optics weren't great for a team already down in the series.
The loss stings, especially after Boston's gritty 5-4 win in Game 1 behind a walk-off homer. Cora's choices, while tactical, underscore the fine line managers walk in October. Moreover, with Bello's youth and potential—he's only 25 and struck out 150 batters this year—the early exit felt premature to some. As the Red Sox head into a potential do-or-die Game 3, questions linger about lineup tweaks and pitcher management.
Will Cora double down on his instincts, or adjust for survival? It's the kind of dilemma that defines playoff baseball.