Yankees Bullpen Collapse Sparks Backlash

The Yankees lost Game 1 of the AL Wild Card series 3-1 after manager Aaron Boone removed Max Fried after 6.1 scoreless innings and reliever Luke Weaver immediately allowed a walk and two hits that produced the go-ahead runs, while Boston’s Garrett Crochet stayed in and finished strong. The loss put New York on the brink of elimination and forced a must-win Game 2, and Boone initially defended the decision, saying Fried’s command had waned and he wanted the matchup. Boone later said his biggest regret was a defensive substitution that removed Amed Rosario for Jazz Chisholm, which forced Chisholm to face Aroldis Chapman in the ninth and produced no offense. Boone’s pregame plan to sit lefties Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm for a platoon advantage drew criticism after both were returned for Game 2, when Ben Rice hit a two-run homer on his first postseason swing. Fans and some veteran players publicly vented frustration with Boone’s lineup and bullpen management as scrutiny mounted over Weaver’s recent struggles and the bullpen collapse.