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Game 1 of this Wild Card Series pivoted on these decisions:

Red Sox manager Alex Cora entrusted his ace, Garrett Crochet, to throw a career-high 117 pitches.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone pulled his ace, Max Fried, after 102.

It was not the only reason the Yankees lost 3-1 on Tuesday night. It was not the lone area of condemnation or concern that immediately put their 2025 season on life support. But it was the most glaring element in why the Yankees need a two-game winning streak against the Red Sox or their season ends and the question if they can ever beat another heavyweight in October continues

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