In a fiery moment, Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t hold back when he accused Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole of intentionally drilling Rafael Devers in the first inning. Cora was fuming, claiming that Cole’s pitch wasn’t just a stray fastball but a deliberate attempt to avoid facing Devers, who has been a thorn in the Yankees’ side for years.  

It’s not every day you see a manager so visibly heated, but when you’ve got a star player who’s been tearing it up against a division rival, it’s no wonder Cora was up in arms. Cora’s reasoning was straightforward and pretty compelling. After all, when Yankees ace Gerrit Cole intentionally walked Rafael Devers in the fourth inning with nobody on base in a tight one-run game, it seemed pretty clear that Cole was trying to steer clear of Devers.  

Intentional walk sparks heated reactions

It wasn’t just about playing it safe; it felt like a strategic move to avoid a slugger who’s had his number. Cora’s frustration boiled over because it looked like Cole was more focused on dodging Devers than competing head-to-head. That’s one way to make a rivalry even more intense! “They can say whatever they want. The intentional walk [made it] loud and clear: ‘I don’t want to face him,’ ” Cora fumed after Boston’s 7-1 rout of the Yankees in The Bronx on Saturday. According to the New York Post, he said – “Second pitch of the game against Rafy, you see it. It was intentional. I’m not going to back up.”  Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello didn’t mince words when he weighed in. He straight-up called Gerrit Cole’s move “a lot of weakness.”  

Gerrit Cole was quick to deny any intentionality behind hitting Rafael Devers, brushing off accusations with a shrug. He explained that the 91 mph cut fastball was just an unfortunate outcome rather than a targeted move. As for the intentional walk, Cole clarified that the decision wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed. With the Yankees’ bullpen running on fumes, he said the walk was a tactical choice to avoid a long, grueling at-bat with Devers, who’s known for wearing down pitchers. “I feel like he caught me by surprise. I didn’t expect that from a future Hall of Famer,” Devers said. “I feel like he panicked a little bit.” Devers hadn’t been in peak form recently. He hadn’t homered since August 25 and was struggling with a .507 OPS in September. Rafael Devers came into the game with a formidable track record against Gerrit Cole—eight home runs and 18 RBIs in just 43 career at-bats. It’s a tale as old as time. 

Devers vs. Cole: A Riveting Rivalry

In a Bronx showdown this July, Devers continued to flaunt his dominance over the Yankees’ ace. It was a fitting milestone for the Red Sox third baseman—he snagged his 1,000th career hit with an RBI single off Cole in the third inning, knotting the game at one run apiece. The way Devers keeps making headlines against Cole just adds another chapter to their ongoing rivalry! Rafael Devers has carved out a reputation as one of the rare players who can consistently get the upper hand on Gerrit Cole. Heading into Saturday’s game, the 27-year-old was hitting a stellar .333 against Cole, with eight home runs and 18 RBIs in just 43 plate appearances, boasting an eye-popping 1.370 OPS.

Even after Cole intentionally walked him earlier in the game, Devers wasn’t fazed. He came through with a clutch two-run single off Cole in the fifth inning, further cementing his dominance. It’s clear that Devers and Cole’s matchup is one of the most intriguing in baseball, with Devers continually finding ways to shine against the veteran ace. Gerrit Cole is undeniably one of baseball’s elite pitchers. With a career record of 151-80 and a hefty nine-year, $324 million contract, he’s proven his worth over and over. He’s a six-time All-Star, has 10 postseason victories under his belt, and has frequently been in the Cy Young conversation. Yet, for all his accomplishments, Cole has struggled against the Red Sox. 

In 15 starts (including playoffs) against Boston as a Yankee, he holds a 5-6 record with a 6.06 ERA. He’s allowed 80 hits and 53 runs in 78⅔ innings, which is a stark contrast to his otherwise stellar performance. Red Sox fans certainly remember his rough outing in the 2021 American League Wild Card game—where he gave up a two-run homer to Xander Bogaerts and a solo shot to Kyle Schwarber, along with two walks, in just over two innings. It was a key loss in a 6-2 series-ending defeat at Fenway, highlighting just how tough the Red Sox can be for him.