On Saturday, New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole made a puzzling decision to intentionally walk Boston Red Sox hitter Rafael Devers in the fourth inning with the bases empty and one out. This decision backfired as it led to three Red Sox runs in that inning and ultimately a 7-1 Boston win. Cole acknowledged that it was a mistake and mentioned that he bought into the plan going into it, but realized afterwards that it was the wrong move. Devers, who has had success against Cole in the past with eight home runs off him, expressed surprise at the intentional walk, calling it a panic move from the future Hall of Famer.
The Yankees had discussed Devers’ dominance in their pre-series meetings, with manager Aaron Boone mentioning that they had considered intentionally walking him in unconventional situations. Boone felt that Cole was overthinking the situation and should have challenged Devers instead of giving him a free pass. Cole, however, mentioned that he discussed the intentional walk with pitching coach Matt Blake and felt that it could be the best way to manage the pitch count and keep the line moving efficiently, especially with a thin bullpen. Catcher Austin Wells admitted to being caught off guard by the decision and felt that it shifted the momentum in Boston’s favor.
The decision to intentionally walk Devers with the bases empty in the fourth inning was the earliest bases-empty intentional walk ever recorded by the Yankees. Cole acknowledged that if he had executed better and made pitches after the intentional walk, the plan could have worked. He mentioned that it was crucial for him to continue executing at a high level in order for the plan to be successful. Despite the unintended consequences of the intentional walk, Cole took responsibility for the decision and the outcome of the game, recognizing that he needed to make better pitches in order for the strategy to be effective.
Devers’ dominance over Cole was a key topic in the Yankees’ pre-series meetings, with the team strategizing on how to approach the talented Red Sox hitter. Cole has openly acknowledged that Devers has given him trouble in the past, citing him as the Latin hitter who has caused him the most difficulties. The intentional walk decision highlighted the challenges that pitchers face when dealing with a hitter who has had consistent success against them. Despite the unconventional move, the Yankees and Cole have learned from the situation and will look to adjust their game plan in future matchups against the Red Sox and other challenging opponents.
The intentional walk decision and its outcome sparked discussion and reflection within the Yankees organization, with players and coaches reevaluating their approach to handling difficult hitters like Devers. The incident served as a learning experience for Cole, Boone, and the rest of the team, providing valuable insights into the importance of communication, execution, and adaptability in high-pressure situations. Moving forward, the Yankees will use this experience to refine their strategy and decision-making process when facing tough opponents, with a focus on maximizing their chances of success on the field. Cole, in particular, will use this setback as motivation to improve and elevate his performance in future games, aiming to overcome challenges and achieve better outcomes for himself and his team.
