The Boston Red Sox will have a golden opportunity to end the New York Yankees’ season on Wednesday night in the Bronx. Following a strong performance from pitcher Garrett Crochet and a late-game surge from Boston’s offense, the Red Sox secured a 3-1 victory in Game 1 of their best-of-three Wild Card series against the Yankees. Here are five key takeaways from Tuesday night’s triumph at Yankee Stadium.
A matchup of this magnitude was precisely what the Red Sox envisioned when they traded four prospects to Chicago last winter to acquire an ace like Garrett Crochet. The 26-year-old left-hander lived up to the hype as the cornerstone of Boston’s starting rotation, posting an impressive 18-5 record with a 2.59 ERA, a league-leading 255 strikeouts, and the American League’s best 205.1 innings pitched during the regular season.
In his inaugural playoff start, Crochet showcased his dominance by allowing just one run over 7.2 innings. He threw 117 pitches, striking out 11 Yankees and effectively neutralizing a lineup that led MLB in runs scored this season. Crochet’s only mistake came in the second inning when he allowed a solo homer to Anthony Volpe on a high pitch, which traveled 382 feet — a distance that would have cleared the fences in 29 of MLB’s 30 ballparks, with Fenway Park being the exception. Following this, Crochet retired 17 consecutive batters, striking out nine in the process, and demonstrated no signs of fatigue as he finished strong, even striking out Yankees catcher Austin Wells with a fastball clocked at 100.2 mph.
The absence of Roman Anthony at the top of Boston’s lineup loomed large as the Red Sox sought to capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout the game. Despite leading MLB with 1,484 at-bats with runners in scoring position during the season, Boston also led with 394 strikeouts in those situations. This trend continued against Yankees starter Max Fried, who pitched 6.1 scoreless innings despite being in several tight spots. The Red Sox went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position during Fried's outing, including a critical fourth inning where Jarren Duran struck out after getting ahead in the count.
Even with Crochet’s stellar performance keeping the Red Sox in the game, the team struggled to deliver the pivotal hit to seize control. This narrative began to shift in the seventh inning.
The fortunes of both teams changed dramatically in the seventh inning when Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted to bring in a bullpen that had the worst ERA among playoff teams at 4.37. The Red Sox rallied as Ceddane Rafaela worked an impressive 11-pitch walk against Yankees reliever Luke Weaver. Following this, Nick Sogard, who spent most of the season with Triple-A Worcester, hit a low changeup into right field, turning it into a double as it rolled between Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham.
With runners on second and third, Alex Cora called upon Masataka Yoshida as a pinch-hitter. Yoshida took advantage of Weaver’s first pitch, driving a two-run single into center field and giving Boston a 2-1 lead. Remarkably, Yoshida has been a standout performer in clutch situations, boasting a 7-for-11 record with runners in scoring position since mid-September.
Even with Crochet’s brilliance, the Red Sox needed a cushion in the ninth inning, facing a dangerous part of the Yankees lineup featuring Paul Goldschmidt, Judge, and Cody Bellinger. Veteran Alex Bregman provided that much-needed cushion, driving in a run with an RBI double after Trevor Story had singled and stolen second base, extending Boston’s lead to 3-1.
However, the ninth was not without tension. Aroldis Chapman, the Red Sox closer, struggled against the Yankees, allowing three consecutive singles to Goldschmidt, Judge, and Bellinger. Despite the pressure, Chapman managed to strike out the final two batters, securing the win for Boston.
Looking ahead, the Red Sox aim to secure their place in the ALDS on Wednesday, with Bryan Bello taking the mound. "I have been throwing a lot of big games here, but I feel like this one is going to be different," Bello said through interpreter Carlos Villoria Benítez. Bello has had a solid track record at Yankee Stadium, boasting a 3-1 record with a 1.44 ERA in five career starts.
Despite facing pressure, Bello is determined to enjoy the game. "I feel like as soon as you step on the field you feel the pressure from the fans... but I feel like that extra pressure gets me going," he remarked. While the ending to his regular season was rocky, Bello’s overall performance in 2025 has been encouraging, with an 11-9 record and a 3.35 ERA, making him a vital asset as the Red Sox gear up for the critical Game 2.
First pitch for Game 2 is scheduled for 6:08 p.m. on Wednesday, with the Red Sox looking to take a commanding lead against the Yankees, who will counter with lefty Carlos Rodon, who had an impressive season with an 18-9 record and a 3.09 ERA.
