Jen McCaffrey

Phillies share the pain after Orion Kerkering’s error leads to crushing elimination loss Inside the clubhouse, there was shock, anger, concern for the young reliever — and a sense that something more than a season had ended.

More than an hour after it happened, Orion Kerkering went back to the dugout. He was alone. Then, someone put his arm around him. The Phillies shared a collective pain because it felt like more than a season had just ended. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Of note, Cintron is one of Cora's best friends in the game. Not saying this will lead to anything, but something to keep in mind

Red Sox enter offseason looking to remain aggressive as ‘window of contention is upon us’ The Red Sox improved significantly from 2024 to 2025 thanks in large part to an active offseason. They'll look to repeat that this winter.

The Red Sox enter the offseason looking to remain aggressive as ‘window of contention is upon us’.

Plus notes on offseason surgeries, the GM search, coaches firings and more in notes from the end of season press conference
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Breslow says he wants to prioritize improving the team overall but highlights defense, pitching and more power to the lineup

Carlos Narvaez will have a meniscius surgery but is expected to have full offseason. Casas is continuing his rehab and on a good recovery path for spring

At Red Sox press conference, Sam Kennedy thanks fans for coming out to see a team they felt took “a step in the right direction”. Breslow notes sitting here first week in October they fell short of their goal but feels reason for optimism in young pitching and position players

Red Sox’s 3 major offseason needs: Adding a bat, better defense, a No. 2 starter As the Red Sox embark on the offseason, there is as much promise as they build for next season as there is room for improvement.

Three major offseason needs for the Red Sox: Adding a bat, better defense, a No. 2 starter

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

The Red Sox reached October despite a season full of obstacles.

It speaks volumes for where the club is headed.

http://dlvr.it/TNS8p9

Even as Red Sox season ends, there is now a feeling of hope: ‘The future is bright’ “It sucks to say right now that we’re looking forward," Garrett Crochet said. "But ultimately, that’s our reality.”

Of 26 players on the Red Sox wild card roster, 17 were playing in the postseason for the first time.

Though their collective inexperience showed in a season-ending Game 3 loss, there was no mistaking what reaching this point meant for this club’s future.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Yankees-Red Sox Game 3 takeaways: Cam Schlittler shines as Yanks advance to face Blue Jays In the biggest start of his life, Schlittler delivered a masterful performance, striking out 12 in Game 3 to lead New York into the ALDS.

Takeaways from Red Sox-Yankees Game 3 with @chriskirschner.bsky.social and @brendankuty.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Early facing his first adversity of the night. We'll see how Cora plays this. A leadoff double, walk and RBI single make it 1-0 New York. Solid throw home from Duran comes in just late.

Early with a quick first inning, strikes out Grisham looking, gets Judge to fly out and Bellinger to ground out. 8 pitches, 5 strikes.

Cora said everyone - even Whitlock - is available out of the bullpen tonight. Bello will be in the bullpen too. Asked about Crochet for a couple outs a la Chris Sale in 2018, Cora said “I can’t say. We’ll see, but probably not.”

Game 3 Game 3 at NYY: Duran LF, Story SS, Bregman 3B, Yoshida DH, Rafaela CF, Lowe 1B, Narváez C, Abreu RF, Gonzalez 2B, Early P

Alex Cora pushed hard. Now the Red Sox’s hopes rest on a rookie and a taxed bullpen In a back-and-forth series with New York, nothing figured to be easy. Cora will be ready — and likely aggressive — in Game 3.

October Alex came to play on Wednesday with aggressive bullpen management. It almost worked, until it didn't.

“That’s the cool thing. Although it’s a series, there’s no tomorrow...if it doesn’t happen, then you get ready for the next one.”

Onto Game 3:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Lefty Justin Wilson is already entering for the Red Sox after Bello tosses just 2 1/3 innings. Cora has been aggressive with the bullpen, one that's rested thanks to Crochet, but this is ultra aggressive. It worked Friday in the clincher, we'll see if it works tonight

Game 2, Red Sox at Yankees: Refsnyder DH, Story SS, Bregman 3B, Gonzalez 1B, Narváez C, Eaton RF, Duran LF, Rafaela CF, Sogard 2B, Bello P

Red Sox strike first in AL Wild Card Series against Yankees: ‘We needed this game’ Since the Wild Card Series entered its current format in 2022, all 12 teams that have won the first game have gone on to win the series.

Garrett Crochet dazzled in his first postseason start, some unlikely heroes came through late on offense and Aroldis Chapman had a bend-but-don’t-break four-out save.

The Red Sox can clinch the series with a win tonight.

Inside the Game 1 victory:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Red Sox win Game 1 on the strength of Garrett Crochet’s tremendous start, late offense from some unlikely bats and a rocky but ultimately effective four-out save from Chapman

The Remaking of Aroldis Chapman, the Red Sox closer who is firmly in command The Yankees once cut ties with Chapman. He spent the next three years sharpening his command. Now, he faces his former team in the playoffs.

Aroldis Chapman is in the midst of historic season on the mound, one that's been three years in the making.

How Chapman got to this point and what it means for October
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Since Sept. 19, Masataka Yoshida had been hitting .368 with a 1.005 OPS. He comes through with a massive two-run, go-ahead single in the seventh. Huge walk from Rafaela and aggressive baserunning for Sogard set him up.

Crochet strikes out the side: Grisham on a sweeper, Volpe on a cutter, Wells on sinker. Through 5 IP, he's allowed three hits, one run (solo homer), no walks and struck out eight. 81 pitches, 55 strikes, 12 swing/miss

Judge had been 2 for 13 with 11 strikeouts... and two homers against Crochet in the regular season. Tonight he singles on a first-pitch cutter in the first and hits a fly out on 3-1 cutter in the third.

MLB Wild Card live updates: Scores and latest as Yankees host Red Sox after Cubs beat Padres Follow live as the Major League Baseball playoffs get going with four wild-card games today

FYI here's @TheAthleticMLB live blog for the wild card game tonight if you'd like to follow along
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

Crochet allows two singles to open the inning but buckles down with a Bellinger strikeout on 99mph and induces a 6-4-3 DP from Stanton. 13 pitches, 9 strikes, 2 swing/miss

Giolito expected to miss playoffs for Red Sox NEW YORK – The elbow injury that has kept Lucas Giolito off the Red Sox wild-card roster doesn’t seem as severe as originally thought, manager Alex Cora said today, nevertheless Giolito is not expecte...

Here’s more on our @TheAthleticMLB live blog on Giolito likely missing the rest of October

www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

Cora said elbow injury doesn’t seem as severe for Lucas Giolito but he’s also not expected to pitch in October. Tough blow

Not definite but Cora says Connelly Early likely to start Gm 3

Regarding the lineup, said they’ve rolled with the righties vs LHPs all year won’t change

Similar lineup as when the Red Sox faced Max Fried last month, with Sogard and Eaton in there.

Wild card Gm 1 vs NYY: Refsnyder DH, Story SS, Bregman 3B, Gonzalez 1B, Narváez C, Eaton RF, Duran LF, Rafaela CF, Sogard 2B, Crochet P

The Remaking of Aroldis Chapman, the Red Sox closer who is firmly in command The Yankees once cut ties with Chapman. He spent the next three years sharpening his command. Now, he faces his former team in the playoffs.

Aroldis Chapman is in the midst of historic season on the mound, one that's been three years in the making.

How Chapman got to this point and what it means for October
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Be sure to follow our @theathletic.com live blog of all the wild card games today with news, notes and analysis

www.nytimes.com/athletic/mlb...

Red Sox announce their wild card roster

Early, Harrison and Tolle make the cut