NEW YORK — The Yankees and Red Sox are set to battle in the American League Wild Card Series tonight, but the rivalry already picked up steam before the first pitch. Yankees manager Aaron Boone responded Monday to Boston skipper Alex Cora’s attempt to frame his club as postseason underdogs.
“I think he’s played the little engine that could over there a little bit,” Boone said at Yankee Stadium. “I think a lot of people knew the Red Sox were coming this year.”
The drama began Saturday after Boston secured its Wild Card spot. Cora, speaking to reporters, launched into an expletive-filled rant.
“Whoever says that we were a playoff team, that’s fucking bullshit, to be honest with you,” Cora said. “Nobody thought we were gonna make it to October.”
His remarks drew attention across baseball, though many preseason projections listed Boston as a playoff contender.
MLB.com’s spring poll of 59 writers picked the Red Sox to win both the AL East and the pennant. FanGraphs analysts also leaned toward Boston as the favorite to capture the division title. and all this long before Cora’s underdog claim.
Boone refuses to take the bait
Boone said Monday he did not buy into the idea of Boston as a surprise story.
“I think a lot of people saw it coming, too,” Boone said. “Contrary to what Cora said.”
Boston’s front office made clear moves before the season with an eye toward October. The Red Sox traded for Garrett Crochet, added Alex Bregman, and signed Aroldis Chapman. These acquisitions signaled a win-now approach.
Boone did acknowledge that Boston faced adversity after trading Rafael Devers to San Francisco on June 15. At that point, the Red Sox stood at 37-36. They responded by going 52-37 the rest of the way to secure a postseason berth.
“After a little bit of an uneven start, they’ve really become obviously a very good team and one of the best teams in the league here the second half of the year,” Boone said.
The numbers tell a different story
Cora softened his tone Sunday, admitting he “got emotional” with his Saturday comments. He clarified that he meant Boston faced doubt after the Devers trade, not before the season.
The evidence still leans in Boone’s favor. Entering 2025, most analysts projected Boston to reach October. The team’s payroll ranked among the league’s highest, and the roster featured a mix of veterans and younger talent.
Boston also dominated New York during the regular season. The Red Sox went 9-4 against the Yankees, taking three of four series. The results suggested anything but a clear underdog.
Respect amid Yankees-Red Sox rivalry
Although Boone rejected Cora’s underdog narrative, he praised his counterpart’s skill in the dugout.
“They play the game within the game really well,” Boone said. “I think he’s a really good leader. I think his team kind of embodies who he is.”
Boone also called Cora “one of the game’s really good ones” and credited him for shaping Boston’s culture.
Cora’s postseason record supports that respect. He enters Tuesday with a 17-8 playoff mark, guiding teams that consistently perform well under October pressure.
“I think he does a really good job of helping set and define the culture over there,” Boone added.
Bregman’s mysterious illness adds intrigue
The Red Sox introduced more uncertainty Sunday when word spread that Alex Bregman had been away from the team due to illness.
Bregman traveled separately to New York. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said he expects the third baseman to be ready for Game 1. The timing, however, drew attention, with some wondering if the disclosure played into Boston’s underdog theme.
Health issues are common in October, and the Yankees have their own questions. Still, news of Bregman’s absence just before the series added another storyline.
The stakes couldn’t be higher
The best-of-three Wild Card Series will be played entirely at Yankee Stadium, giving New York a home-field advantage. The winner advances to meet the AL Central champion.
Garrett Crochet will start Game 1 for Boston. The left-hander led the majors in strikeouts and has consistently frustrated Yankees hitters. New York is set to field Max Fried.
This series marks the rivals’ first postseason clash since 2021. Their playoff history includes some of baseball’s most memorable moments, most notably Boston’s comeback in the 2004 ALCS. Yankees fans point to years of dominance, while Red Sox supporters note recent head-to-head success.
History fuels the fire
The rivalry’s weight looms over this October matchup. Each side knows how quickly momentum can swing in a short series.
Boone’s pushback against Cora’s underdog talk added a layer of psychological gamesmanship. Neither manager wants to concede an edge, even through words.
The Red Sox may publicly embrace the underdog role. The Yankees, though, refuse to let that storyline define the matchup. Both clubs step onto the field expecting to win.
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