Jazz Chisholm Jr. learned a painful lesson about bulletin board material after the New York Yankees suffered a humiliating sweep at Fenway Park. The Red Sox third baseman’s pregame bravado came back to bite him in spectacular fashion.
Cezan Rafaela, brother of Boston center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, delivered the knockout punch on social media. His post-sweep message was simple but devastating: “Free Smoke,” followed by laughing emojis.
Boston clearly took notes. They’ve now won five consecutive games against New York while emerging as a legitimate threat in the playoff race.
Yankees meet reality check
AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper
Chisholm’s confidence exceeded his performance during the crucial series. He managed just 1-for-7 across three games while the Yankees offense completely disappeared.
New York scored four runs in three games at Fenway Park. That total represents their lowest output in a Boston series since 1922. The Yankees dropped to 42-28 overall while watching their division rivals gain serious momentum.
Boston has won eight of their last ten games overall. They’ve climbed above .500 and now trail an AL Wild Card spot by just half a game. The Red Sox’s transformation from basement dwellers to contenders happened remarkably quickly.
Red Sox youth core delivers when needed
Ceddanne Rafaela posted a quiet 2-for-9 series but continues developing into a key piece of Boston’s future. He’s batting .253/.303/.395 with six home runs this season while providing solid defense in center field.
The Red Sox expect Alex Bregman to return soon from injury. His addition will strengthen a lineup that’s finally found offensive consistency after early-season struggles.
Boston’s pitching staff deserves equal credit for the sweep. They held Aaron Judge to 1-for-12 with nine strikeouts, effectively neutralizing the Yankees’ most dangerous weapon throughout the series.
Psychological momentum shifts away from Yankees
The Yankees maintain a 6.5-game AL East lead despite the weekend disaster. However, the mental aspect of this rivalry has clearly changed in Boston’s favor.
The Red Sox didn’t just win three games. They silenced their rivals’ trash talk while proving they belong in the playoff conversation. The social media aftermath only amplified their statement.
One former MLB infielder noted that baseball rivalries have evolved beyond the field. He explained that while the sport has always featured intense competition during games, social media now extends those battles long after the final out.
Chisholm’s lesson was expensive but clear. Talk means nothing without performance to back it up.
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