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Red Sox Manager Cora's Aggressive Moves Fail to Save Season in Tense Wild Card Series
2 Oct
Summary
- Red Sox manager Alex Cora pulls starter Brayan Bello early, relying on bullpen
- Rookie Connelly Early to start Game 3 with Red Sox facing elimination
- Cora's aggressive October management style on display, but it falls short
In a tense Wild Card Series matchup, the Boston Red Sox found themselves on the brink of elimination after a 4-3 loss to the New York Yankees in Game 2 on October 2, 2025. The key moment came in the third inning when Red Sox manager Alex Cora decided to pull starter Brayan Bello after just 28 pitches, opting to go with an aggressive bullpen strategy to try and secure the win.
Cora's decision-making reflected his managerial style, which emphasizes staying in the moment and being willing to make bold moves, even if it means burning through multiple relievers. While the strategy nearly paid off, the Red Sox ultimately fell short, setting up a do-or-die Game 3 on October 3.
With the Red Sox's playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Cora will turn to rookie pitcher Connelly Early to take the mound. The 23-year-old has shown promise in his limited MLB experience, but the pressure of a winner-take-all game will be a new challenge. Cora, known for his aggressive October management, is likely to continue his all-out approach as the Red Sox fight to keep their season alive.
