"I feel like he showed a lot of weakness in that move," Bello told reporters through translator Carlos Villoria Benitez, as seen on NESN postgame coverage. Cole's decision to intentionally walk Devers with the bases empty was criticized by the young pitcher and showcased a lack of competitive spirit from the Yankees ace. This statement underlines the internal rivalry and highlights the Red Sox's confidence after their convincing victory.
Cole, who said it was a predetermined decision by him, manager Aaron Boone and pitching coach Matt Blake to go that route with Devers, tried to explain the bizarre maneuver after the game. However, based on how the game unfolded, it seems both he and Boone may have had second thoughts about that strategy after witnessing the ensuing meltdown.
Devers came into the contest owning Cole in their career encounters, having batted 13-for-39 (.333) lifetime off the six-time All-Star. This history likely influenced the Yankees' strategy, but it backfired, illustrating how past performance analytics can sometimes cloud judgment in the heat of the game.
After issuing the free pass to Devers, Cole quickly unraveled, surrendering seven runs on seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings. The stark contrast between Cole's performance and Bello's stellar showing highlights how critical moments can drastically shift the momentum in a game.
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