4 Big Winners and Losers as Yankees Push Red Sox to Do-or-Die Game 3

The New York Yankees staved off elimination at the hands of the Boston Red Sox, their hated rival, in a 4-3 win at home on Wednesday, tying their best-of-three American League Wild Card Series 1-1 as catcher Austin Wells plated the game-winning run with a two-out single in the eighth inning.

As is customary for the Yankees in recent seasons — and especially in a game against the Red Sox — the win came with plenty of drama. Boston managed to reel New York back in on two separate occasions after the Yankees took the lead, remaining within striking distance until superstar right fielder Aaron Judge gloved the final out.

The Yankees’ win left much to be desired for the Bronx faithful, with signs of the struggles that have sunk this unit in recent years. But for another blissful October day, both they and the Red Sox are alive in the chase for a World Series title. Here are the biggest winners and losers from a dramatic Game 2 in their Wild Card series.

Winner: Aaron Boone

Yankees’ starter Carlos Rodón appeared rattled after conceding a game-tying home run to Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story. He’d managed to maintain New York’s lead for all of two pitches. Boone kept Rodón in the game, and although the left-hander continued his shaky performance, including throwing eight straight balls to begin the seventh inning, and ended his night.

Reliever Fernando Cruz quashed the rally and kept the game tied at 3-3 and saved the oft-criticized Boone from the maelstrom of flak he would’ve brought down upon himself had those questionable bullpen moves turned into an early offseason.

Loser: Carlos Rodón

Rodón has had more than his fair share of postseason struggles across stints with the White Sox and Yankees, compiling a career playoff ERA of 6.64 across 20.1 innings heading into Game 2. While he managed to improve on that stat line, pitching a quality start with three earned runs allowed across six innings, Rodón looked incredibly shaky at times.

A third-inning throwing error on a sacrifice bunt allowed Boston to load the bases with no outs, eventually helping the Red Sox to tie the game 2-2, and Rodón’s struggles in the sixth and seventh innings could’ve spelled disaster for the Yankees.

With ace Gerrit Cole out for the season due to Tommy John surgery, New York will need the rest of their rotation to step up if it wants to go on another deep run this October. Rodón showed resolve in fighting through his struggles, but seeing him appear rattled on the mound didn’t inspire much confidence.

Winner: David Bednar

Closer David Bednar endured an inauspicious beginning to his postseason career during the Yankees’ Game 1 loss to Boston, tagged for two hits and one run across 0.2 innings pitched during his bid to keep the Red Sox within reach.

Entering his first October save opportunity, however, Bednar was up to the task. The hard-throwing right-hander fought back from a 2-0 hole to strike out Wilyer Abreu swinging, froze Jarren Duran with a fastball on the inside edge, then got Ceddanne Rafaela to fly out and give New York their first win of the postseason.

Bednar’s ability to flush the previous night’s struggles and rise to the occasion in a one-run nailbiter showed the kind of grit the Yankees have often been accused of lacking under Aaron Boone.

Loser: Boston’s Bullpen

Red Sox starter Brayan Bello got the hook after just 2.1 innings and 28 pitches. New York cleanup hitter Ben Rice clubbed a two-run homer off the 26-year-old right-hander in the first inning, then manager Alex Cora gave him the hook after he allowed two singles in the bottom of the third.

Boston needed to expend six bullpen arms to cover the remaining 17 outs, demanding 135 pitches out of their relievers on the eve of the decisive Game 3. On the bright side, they didn’t need to bring in Aroldis Chapman, who had struggles of his own during the Red Sox’ Game 1 win. However, that’s also because Boston never had a lead to play with.

A winner-takes-all game will necessitate all hands on deck, but the Red Sox’s arms might end up a little more tired than those of the Yankees after a higher-than-usual workload.