In the heated confines of Yankee Stadium, Austin Wells stepped up in the eighth inning of Game 2, delivering a go-ahead RBI single that silenced the Red Sox faithful and evened the Wild Card series at one game apiece. The 25-year-old catcher, who batted .247 over 118 games this season with 13 homers, ended a 22-year drought for Yankees catchers in providing such a pivotal playoff hit. It was a moment that recalled the old rivalry's fire, with the Yankees scraping out a 4-3 victory and forcing a decisive Game 3 on Thursday.
Indeed, Wells' poise under pressure drew quick praise from the broadcast booth, where former Yankees ace David Cone offered his take. Cone, who pitched just one season for the Red Sox in 1995—going 9-6 with a 4.00 ERA—recalled the frustration of that brief stint amid Boston's competitive but ultimately underwhelming campaign. "Playing in that park tests you differently," Cone said postgame, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia mixed with the sharp edge of a broadcaster who's seen it all. His insights added layers to the broadcast, especially as the Yankees clawed back from a Game 1 loss.
However, across the diamond, Red Sox manager Alex Cora faced mounting scrutiny for his pitching decisions. In Game 3, Cora stuck with rookie starter Connelly Early longer than some observers deemed wise, allowing the Yankees to surge ahead early. Critics pointed to Early's uneven outing—four runs over 4.1 innings—as a symptom of Cora's aggressive faith in youth, a strategy that worked wonders in Game 1 with Garrett Crochet but faltered here. Moreover, Cora defended his call, noting the rookie's potential despite the 5-2 defeat that put Boston on the brink. Such choices, bold yet risky, underscore the thin line managers tread in October.
Yet the series hangs in balance, with both teams eyeing a deeper run. Cone, ever the analyst, suggested the mental edge now tilts toward New York, but playoff baseball has a way of upending expectations.