The Boston Red Sox kicked off their wild-card series against the New York Yankees with a gritty 2-1 victory on Tuesday night, a game that had Fenway faithful on edge from the first pitch. Manager Alex Cora's lineup choices drew some eyebrows—sitting Masataka Yoshida initially in favor of Jarren Duran leading off—but it all worked out in the end, thanks to a clutch seventh-inning rally. Indeed, Yoshida, the steady lefty hitter who's been a quiet force all season, delivered a two-run single that flipped the score and silenced the Yankee Stadium crowd. His .296 average since joining the team midseason speaks to why Cora trusts him in big spots, even if the initial benching felt like a gamble.
Jarren Duran, though, started strong in center field, flashing that speed and arm that's made him a fan favorite. He went hitless in three at-bats but made a diving catch in the third that saved a run, proving his value beyond the plate. However, the decision to slot him high in the order raised questions—Duran's been streaky, and against lefty Max Fried, it seemed risky. Still, the Red Sox offense, sparked by that Yoshida hit, managed just enough to back starter Brayan Bello's solid six innings.
Over at first base, Nathaniel Lowe returned from a brief paternity leave stint in late August and has been a stabilizing presence, hitting .296 with seven RBIs in limited action. His glove work was flawless in this one, snagging a sharp liner in the fifth. And Rob Refsnyder, fresh off the injured list himself, entered as a defensive replacement late, bringing that veteran outfield depth the Sox desperately needed after a injury-plagued year. Refsnyder's activation back in August coincided with Lowe's absence, and now both are key to this playoff push.
The win pushes the Yankees to the brink early, with Boston eyeing a sweep in Game 2. Cora defended his platoon moves postgame, saying the team won't shy away from tough calls. Yet, as the series heats up, one wonders if these lineup tweaks will hold against New York's firepower, or if adjustments are looming.