In Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 3-1 in a gutsy win. However, the celebration was cut short as a big worry had taken over the camp. A virus has spread through the clubhouse and affected some important players just as the team is about to face its biggest challenge of the season. Boston is up against two opponents right now: the Yankees and an illness that can’t be seen that could ruin their chances of making the playoffs.

When it mattered most, Alex Bregman came through. In the ninth inning, he hit a double that brought in Trevor Story for the Red Sox’s insurance run. The third baseman got two hits that night, but fans didn’t see Bregman fight through a serious illness to do well at the plate. Story, who also had two hits despite having the same virus, was one of the players who got sick, along with Bregman and ace pitcher Garrett Crochet.

ESPN’s Buster Olney revealed the extent of the illness on his podcast. “Alex Bregman, Trevor Story, and Garrett Crochet were all battling some type of virus during last night’s game that was going around the clubhouse,” tweeted Tyler Milliken today. “Puking was part of it, per Bregman. Makes that win last night even more impressive.” The news puts Garrett Crochet’s amazing 7.2-inning, 11-strikeout performance in a whole new light. The pitcher threw 117 pitches while still having symptoms.

The Red Sox now have to make a very important choice about who will play in Game 2. Story also got two hits, even though he was sick, but the team has to think about whether pushing players who aren’t feeling well could hurt their health and the outcome of the series. Manager Alex Cora hasn’t said anything publicly about the situation yet, but the clubhouse will be under a lot of pressure as Boston tries to win the series and avoid a Game 3 that will decide everything.

Cora has made another choice that has people talking, and the virus outbreak isn’t enough to worry about. As Boston tries to finish off the Yankees, the way they are catching Game 2 starter Brayan Bello has become another source of worry.

Red Sox catching switch raises eyebrows as Brayan Bello prepares

The illness is getting a lot of attention in the news, but another decision has caused a lot of discussion within the organization. The Red Sox won a thrilling Game 1 and are now one win away from getting rid of their opponents. Brayan Bello will pitch on Wednesday for what could be the clincher, but manager Alex Cora has made a strange decision behind the plate.

Carlos Narvaez will be the catcher instead of Connor Wong. This is more important than a normal lineup change. Wong has been Bello’s personal catcher for most of the season, and Bello says that Wong has been a big part of his breakout year. The pitcher’s change says a lot about their relationship.

The numbers from Bello tell a strong story. He had a 4.49 ERA and a 1.361 WHIP last season. This year, he brought those numbers down to 3.35 and 1.236, respectively. His ERA even dropped below three during a dominant stretch when he could cut through opposing lineups with new confidence and control.

It looks like the switch is only for attacking. Wong hasn’t been doing well at the plate, but his last 25 games have been better, with a .225 average. Narvaez has a .241 batting average this season, which gives him a slight edge. But is it worth breaking up the battery that made Bello a starter to get that small offensive gain? This risk could turn out very badly, with the possibility of being kicked out and a virus ruining the clubhouse.