Max Fried Delivers Strong Playoff Start for Yankees Despite Bullpen Collapse

New York Yankees ace Max Fried delivered a strong performance in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox on October 1, 2025, allowing just four hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings and throwing 63 of his 102 pitches for strikes. Manager Aaron Boone initially planned to lift Fried after the sixth inning, but after Fried induced a double play and was at 99 pitches, Boone allowed him to get one more out in the seventh. Fried felt he "had enough in the tank" and "definitely felt good at the end," even beating Jarren Duran in a race to first for his final out. Boone defended his decision to pull Fried, noting increased pressure in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings and a slight dip in command, though his stuff remained good. The Yankees led 1-0 on Anthony Volpe's solo home run when Fried exited, but the bullpen faltered, leading to a 3-1 loss.