Cody Bellinger's play of the year for Yankees checkmates Red Sox with Cam Schlittler

We asked. The Yankees delivered. It might not have been pretty, but the 1-0 victory to kick off the series against the Boston Red Sox was the exact tone-setter New York needed. Cam Schlittler shut down the Sox again while the offense and defense did just enough to maintain the razor thin lead.

There was much to rage about prior to the game, as Aaron Boone removed two of the Yankees' hottest hitters from the lineup with a left-handed starter on the mound. Did it work? Paul Goldschmidt's solo homer was the only run generated in this one (and the Yankees only logged three hits and four walks), so we can't say it was the best plan. But they didn't lose. And Red Sox fans have no leg to stand on when it comes to anything related to Schlittler, who didn't allow a run over 5 2/3 innings.

But the moment of the night came from Cody Bellinger, whose return to left field has been a godsend for the Yankees.

Bellinger made one of the best defensive plays of the season with the Yankees' backs against the wall in the seventh inning. It was reminiscent of his incredible catch and throw against the Mets in 2025 that helped the Yanks escape their summer swoon.

A couple innings after Ceddanne Rafaela got doubled off at first base on a line drive to center field, he got doubled off again as Bellinger hauled in a fly ball off the bat of Willson Contreras and hosed him at home plate on a tag attempt.

Yankees' series-opening victory vs Red Sox has them controlling Wild Card destiny

Yankee Stadium absolutely erupted. It was a flawless relay, as Austin Wells carefully positioned himself as to not block the plate but was right there to tag Rafaela.

That, of course, sent Red Sox Twitter into a spiral. First, they couldn't believe manager Chad Tracy emptied the bench once Aaron Boone went to the bullpen in the sixth inning and didn't score (even though it was 100% the right move to combat the matchups).

Then they were incensed Rafaela, one of the fastest players in MLB, was sent on a reasonably deep fly ball as the Red Sox were running out of chances to tie the game. Adley Rutschman, who has been terrible, was the next batter. Tell us you don't know ball without telling us you actually don't know ball. In the end, the Yankees got lucky and made a couple clutch plays in the sixth and seventh. That's how it goes sometimes, and the team that just went 35-12 over their last 47 games should know that.

Boston has had one of the hottest offenses in the sport, but they still don't have an answer for Schlittler, who owns a career 0.56 ERA against them (including the postseason). Wonder what excuses they'll have to delude their way out of Friday's embarrassment. Keep quote-tweeting his "cringe" quotes. Keep claiming you "made him." Whatever you're doing, it's digging your grave deeper and deeper.

Hit the music. Doubleheader on Saturday. Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. We can only hope Friday was as dispiriting as we think it is for Boston. Taking three in this series would be one of the best Yankees regular season feats in quite some time.

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