Updated

Updated · Fox News · Sep 30

Ben Rice's 8th-Inning Grand Slam Hits Yankees Bullpen Catcher in 9-0 Wild Card Win

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Sep 30

Ben Rice's 8th-Inning Grand Slam Hits Yankees Bullpen Catcher in 9-0 Wild Card Win

Q: Could Boston’s risky Garrett Crochet plan and rookie pitching steal Game 1 from a favored Yankees team?

Yes — Boston has a real path to stealing Game 1, but it depends far more on rookie Payton Tolle and the bullpen than on Garrett Crochet. The strongest case for the Red Sox is the matchup Tolle has already shown he can handle. The 23-year-old left-hander held the Yankees to one earned run in 13 regular-season innings, with 18 strikeouts and a .093 opponent average. New York is also without Aaron Judge, which materially lowers the danger in the middle of the lineup. In a game with a total around 6 or 6.5, one sharp start can be enough. Crochet is the wild card, but also the biggest risk. He has not pitched in a competitive game since April 25 and has been building back through live batting practice, not game action. Boston appears to view him more as a short relief option than a starter, likely for one or two innings. If his velocity and command return, he could give the Red Sox a high-impact bridge in the middle or late innings. If there is rust, the move could backfire quickly in Yankee Stadium. The obstacle is obvious: Yankees starter Cam Schlittler has dominated Boston. He posted a 1.95 ERA this season, an even better mark against the Red Sox, and already shut them down in last year’s postseason. That is why New York remains favored. So Boston’s plan is plausible, but narrow. If Tolle repeats his regular-season success, the bullpen is clean, and Crochet gives them even a brief quality burst, the Red Sox absolutely can win a low-scoring opener.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 30

An eighth-inning Ben Rice grand slam struck a Yankees bullpen catcher squarely on the helmet in right-center after clearing the wall, creating an unusual moment during New York's Game 1 rout.
Rice's blast capped a five-run eighth and helped seal a 9-0 win over Boston; he finished 4-for-5 as the Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three AL Wild Card series.
Cam Schlittler drove the result on the mound, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out 10 over 6.1 innings in a scoreless start.
Boston now faces elimination Wednesday against Max Fried after managing little offense in a game New York steadily built from a 1-0 second-inning lead.