The New York Yankees opened their AL Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox with a 3-1 loss , and Aaron Boone’s decision to pull Max Fried became the defining moment . The Yankees leaned on their ace to set the tone, but the manager did not hesitate when signs of fatigue appeared. Boone trusted his instincts, even as some fans questioned the timing . For a Yankees-Red Sox showdown on baseball’s brightest stage , every move carried weight.

Max Fried worked deep into the game and gave the Yankees what they needed early. However, Boone saw warning signs. He explained after the game that Fried’s command dipped late in the outing, and although his stuff remained sharp, it was not as precise. The Red Sox had traffic on the bases, and Boone knew the margin for error was slim. Wit

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