MLB Fans Confused by Alex Cora’s Refusal to Pull Red Sox Rookie During Yankees' Rally

The move backfired on the Boston skipper.

Alex Cora paid the price for his patience Thursday evening. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Much was made entering Thursday of the fact that Game 3 of the Red Sox and Yankees' American League wild-card series would match two rookie pitchers—an acknowledgement, perhaps, that the lights might be a bit bright for one or both of them.

When Boston pitcher Connelly Early proved overwhelmed by the moment Thursday, however, something truly unexpected happened: Red Sox manager Alex Cora did him no favors. As New York put four runs on the board in the fourth inning, Cora flummoxed fans by declining repeatedly to pull—or even talk to—Early until the last possible moment.

Baseball's talking class had a lot to say about Cora's moves—or lack thereof. For instance, they marveled at how late Cora was even to warm up another pitcher (Justin Slaten eventually replaced Early).

Cora didn't have anybody start warming until after Chisholm's single. Feels like his first major misread of this series.

— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) October 3, 2025

Even Yankees writers were left to wonder at Cora's process.

I can't believe Alex Cora left Early in for as long as he did.

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) October 3, 2025

Don't worry—Boston will be ready to go in February.

Alex Cora saving the bullpen for Spring Training

— Dreadlef Schrempf (@TheLesterLee) October 3, 2025

Cora's leadership throughout the entire series was called into question.

what a bizarrely apathetic series from Alex Cora

— Al Horford Pacino (@alpacinogrunt) October 3, 2025

Fortunately, Early's name lends itself easily to puns.

Yogi Berra once said, "It's getting late early."

Well, Alex Cora got Early late. https://t.co/OcIHgFsVyl

— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) October 3, 2025

The Virginia product seems certain to learn from this. Will his skipper?

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