Three takeaways from the Yankees' Game 1 Wild Card Series loss to Red Sox
From left: Cam Schlittler, Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Cody Bellinger of the Yankees look on against the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the Wild Card series at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Three takeaways from the Yankees’ 3-1 loss to the Red Sox in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.
1. Wrong note with Jazz
The Yankees sat Jazz Chisholm Jr. against Garrett Crochet and started Amed Rosario at second base because Rosario was 6-for-9 lifetime against the lefthander.
OK. That’s defensible. Chisholm was 0-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts against Crochet in his career.
What is indefensible is manager Aaron Boone’s explanation about why he removed Rosario for defense, putting in Chisholm at second to start the eighth inning and the Yankees down 2-1.
Boone explained that he wanted the better defender at second because the Yankees were lined up to use righthanded relievers in the final two innings.
But did he forget that the Red Sox have a lefthanded closer in Aroldis Chapman, and that Rosario was 3-for-7 lifetime with two home runs against Chapman? And who takes a player out for defense when they are losing?
Of course, the Rosario/Chisholm spot came around in the ninth inning with one out and the bases loaded and the Yankees trailing by two. Chisholm, who was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts lifetime against Chapman, actually had the best at-bat of the final three against Chapman, flying out to short right between strikeouts by Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham.
After the game, Chisholm held a short interview session before turning his back and saying he wasn’t going to answer any more questions. It’s fair to assume he wasn’t happy about not starting the game.
The Yankees benched a player with 31 homers in the regular season in the hopes of gaining an advantage in batter-pitcher matchups. Rosario went 0-for-3 against Crochet.
Then they took out Rosario and lost a potential advantage in a batter-pitcher matchup for a negligible defensive gain.
2. Cortisone shots for everyone!
Anthony Volpe has looked like the best version of himself after he had a cortisone shot in his aching left shoulder on Sept. 10. Confident on defense and productive on offense.
Volpe was the best hitter for the Yankees on Tuesday. He went 2-for-3 with a second-inning home run to right that gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead.
Volpe also singled with one out in the eighth off Crochet, who exited the game one batter later after striking out Austin Wells.
Chapman came in to face Jose Caballero. By hopping around like a bunny while he was at first, Volpe distracted Chapman to the point where the lefthander made three unsuccessful pickoff throws. By rule, if the pitcher doesn’t pick off the runner on the third throw, it’s a balk, so Volpe went to second. But Chapman retired Caballero on a flyout to right.
3. It all comes down to Rodon
Carlos Rodon gets the start in Game 2 with the Yankees needing to win to extend the series and their season.
“Three-game series, it's high stakes for sure,” Rodon said before Game 1. “Obviously, I am just honored to have the opportunity to pitch for the Yankees in an important series, and the goal is to go out there and win and give my best efforts. I can only control so much.”
Rodon has done a better job controlling his emotions on the mound, he and Boone agree. Rodon pitched well for the most part for the Yankees in the postseason in 2024. Boone said Rodon is an example of experience — especially in the postseason — being the best teacher.
“I have had a lot of help,” Rodon said. “Andy Pettitte has been around a lot.”
But it won't be Pettitte on the mound in Game 2. It will be Rodon.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
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