The New York Yankees started their Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox with a sorrowful 3–1 defeat at Yankee Stadium, leaving the fan base flabbergasted as well as annoyed at the same time. Despite Anthony Volpe’s solo homer providing New York with an early 1–0 lead, the bats fell still as Boston ace Garrett Crochet dominated through 7⅓ innings, striking out 11. The Red Sox capitalized late, overturned the game in the seventh inning, and never looked back. With this loss, the Yankees are now a single loss away from elimination, making Game 2 a must-win situation to keep their postseason dream alive.

What set the game on fire was not just the loss, but it was Aaron Boone’s debatable decision to pull Max Fried in the seventh inning. Fried was sailing through 6⅓ scoreless innings, permitting just four hits on 102 pitches, when Boone surprisingly handed the ball to Luke Weaver. The move straight away backfired: Ceddanne Rafaela walked, Nick Sogard doubled, and Masataka Yoshida punched a pinch-hit single to drive in two runs, turning the score to 2–1 Boston. Meanwhile, Red Sox manager Alex Cora left Crochet in for 117 pitches, trusting his ace, a contrast that made Boone’s decision even harder to uphold.

The reaction from Yankees celebrities and veterans was swift and furious. CC Sabathia simply tweeted, “👀” — a pointed reaction that said a lot without words. Former Yankee Clint Frazier was more direct, writing, “leave it up to the dorks to f–k the game up. just use your eyes and make a lineup that way. ben rice and jazz chisholm are too good to sit in a must win playoff game.”

Cameron Maybin also weighed in, backing Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s frustration: “I’m not even mad at Jazz….he should be pissed. The man just had a 30-30 season and then gets treated like a platoon player is unacceptable. The third player in Yankees history to achieve a 30-30 season (joining Bobby Bonds and Alfonso Soriano).”

The veterans’ criticism highlights more than just one bad pitching transformation. The manager’s decision to sit vital offensive stars like Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ben Rice in such a do-or-die game also raised eyebrows, and fans are asking questions related to the team’s playoff approach. They were already concerned related to the lineup before the 1st pitch. However, Aaron Boone’s in-game action only enhanced the backlash. With legends of the Yankees speaking up, the debate has snowballed effectively beyond the team.

The Yankees and Aaron Boone are now facing intense pressure before Game 2. The manager needs to not just fix the Yankees’ lineup and bullpen approach however, he also needs to regain the trust of the fans. As the Red Sox and Alex Cora celebrate a well-executed approach and game, the Yankees are left to wonder whether managerial decisions, not skill, could end the team’s postseason early.

Linking from the intense collapse of Boone’s approach and the Yankees’ painful Game 1 loss, the attention now transformed toward the star who stole the show for the Red Sox.

Aaron Judge tips his cap to Garrett Crochet’s dominance

Garrett Crochet’s performance in Game 1 was not just powerful, it was historic. The Red Sox lefty silenced the Yankees’ lineup through 7⅔ innings. He struck out 11 and allowed only Anthony Volpe’s solo shot to break the shutout. At one point, the Red Sox star retired 17 consecutive batters and mixed his offspeed stuff early and ended with a 100.2 mph heater on his 117th pitch. The team improved to 5–0 this season in games started by Crochet against the Yankees, with a staggering 50 strikeouts in 35 innings and such data highlight just how much control the star has had over the Yankees’ offense in 2025.

Even Aaron Judge, usually reserved in his praise of rivals, could not hold back. After going 2-for-4 in the game, including 1-for-3 with a strikeout against Crochet, Judge called him “the best pitcher in the game.” He emphasized how Crochet adjusted mid-game, changing to more offspeed pitches before boosting up late when it mattered most. His comments underscore not only Crochet’s Cy Young-caliber season but also the psychological edge Boston now holds. Heading into Game 2, the Yankees must find a road to shake off Crochet’s dominance, or risk watching their postseason fade under Boston’s pitching brilliance.

The Yankees’ Game 1 loss to Boston has revealed cracks that go beyond a single decision or one dominant pitcher. Boone’s arguable call and Crochet’s brilliance have swung the momentum firmly toward the Red Sox, leaving New York with no margin for error. Game 2 now looms as a true test of resilience. Can the Yankees adjust, regroup, and keep their season alive, or will Boston complete the sweep and send them packing? All eyes will be on the Bronx for the answer.