Boone and Cole justify their decision to intentionally walk Devers with bases empty

The New York Yankees’ decision to intentionally walk Rafael Devers backfired as the Boston Red Sox immediately scored three runs following the move. Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, who called Devers the most difficult Latino player he’s faced, admitted that the plan was a mistake. Despite discussing the strategy beforehand due to Devers’ past success against Cole, the decision to intentionally walk him with no runners on base and the Yankees leading puzzled many. Cole later allowed back-to-back RBI hits, giving Boston a 3-1 lead. Both Cole and Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed regret over the decision, with Boone admitting he would have preferred Cole to pitch to Devers once they scored a run. The Yankees’ loss ended a series with the Red Sox where similar strategies were discussed, highlighting the complexities of in-game decisions in baseball. The matchup between Devers and Cole showcased the importance of balancing strategic planning with adaptability on the field. Despite the Yankees’ intention to avoid facing Devers, the Red Sox capitalized on the opportunity, ultimately leading to their victory.

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