MLB Launched Investigation Into New York Yankees’ Rival, Here’s the Verdict

Saturday was a day to forget for the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

On paper, it was a resounding win the the Red Sox, the lone bright spot in a series that was otherwise dominated by the Yankees. Boston roughed up New York starter Gerrit Cole, hanging seven earned runs on last year's American League Cy Young winner.

Saturday's box score, however, does not tell the whole story of the game. There were many layers to Saturday's game, layers that date back multiple seasons.

Cole, who joined the Yankees ahead of the 2020 season, has not performed well with New York against Boston. In 14 games against the Red Sox while wearing pinstripes, Cole has a 5.87 ERA.

READ MORE: Fans React to New York Yankees’ Ace Being Harassed By Reporter [WATCH]

By comparison, Cole has a 2.51 ERA against the Toronto Blue Jays in that same span.

Narrowing the focus a bit, Cole has struggled tremendously when facing Red Sox third baseman, Rafael Devers. Devers has faced Cole 46 times in his career, more than any other pitcher in baseball.

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Devers has a .350 batting average, a 1.410 OPS, and has hit eight home runs in those plate appearances against the Yankees' ace.

Now, we fast-forward to Saturday's game. In Devers' first at-bat against Cole, the right-hander hit Devers with a pitch. In the next at-bat, Cole intentionally walked Devers, putting him on-base for the second time without the third baseman recording a hit.

Later in the game, Red Sox starting pitcher, Brayan Bello, threw a ball behind Yankees' captain, Aaron Judge. It appeared, at least, that Bello and the Red Sox had attempted to retaliate, but failed to connect on a hit by pitch.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged this attempt in his postgame interview on Saturday, saying the following:

“[The situation] was closed [Saturday] around the sixth inning. We had our chance. It didn’t happen.” - Alex Cora via The New York Post

Naturally, the Yankees were unhappy with these comments, as Cora basically admitted that the Red Sox intentionally threw at Aaron Judge. This isn't the first, nor the last, time that a team will intentionally hit a batter with a pitch. That said, you RARELY hear anyone admit it.

Major League Baseball was also unhappy with these comments, and launched an investigation into them earlier this week. Per a report from The Post, the league has reached a verdict, and no punishment will be levied against the Boston skipper.

That should sit well with New York fans, especially given Cora's role in the Houston Astros' cheating scandal that directly impacted the Yankees in the 2017 MLB Playoffs.