In a tense Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora made a decisive call that didn't quite pan out. Brayan Bello, the young starter, lasted just three innings against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night. The Red Sox fell 4-3, putting their postseason hopes on the brink after a strong Game 1 win. Cora yanked Bello after he surrendered three runs, turning to a bullpen that ultimately used six relievers in a valiant but futile effort to claw back.
However, the game's intrigue didn't stop there. Cora opted for an unusual switch behind the plate, benching Bello's usual catcher Connor Wong in favor of Carlos Narvaez. This last-minute decision raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, as Narvaez stepped in for what Cora described as a defensive edge and solid at-bats. Indeed, Narvaez has been putting together decent swings lately, but it marked a departure from the personal catcher dynamic Bello has relied on throughout the season. Cora downplayed any drama, insisting it wouldn't alter their approach—yet the move underscored the high-stakes tinkering in playoff baseball.
Bello's outing was rough from the start, with command issues plaguing his fastball and sinker. He walked two and gave up a homer that put the Yankees ahead early. Moreover, this performance echoes Bello's uneven 2025 campaign, where flashes of dominance—like that complete game shutout against the Rockies in July—clashed with tougher nights, such as his September struggles against Oakland. Cora, ever the tactician, praised Bello's competitiveness post-game but admitted the hook was necessary to protect the pen for potential Game 3. The bullpen, though stretched thin, showed grit with key strikeouts, but a late rally fell short when the tying run stranded at third.
Still, Cora's choices highlight the razor-thin margins in October. As the series shifts back to Fenway for a decisive Game 3, one wonders if these adjustments will steady the ship or signal deeper rotation woes for Boston.