Can Aaron Boone win a World Series?
The New York Yankees know they are much more talented than the Boston Red Sox. But, when it comes to winning games in October, it's no longer about talent, it's all about coaching. Aaron Boone since becoming Yankees manager in 2017 to his credit, has not missed the playoffs any year except 2023, when Judge missed extended time. However, making the playoffs is not the goal, this organization has World Series expectations, and Boone has failed to deliver. Now facing elimination in the Wild Card round, all eyes are on Boone to see how he responds.
The mistakes in game 1 are simply inexcusable for a 7th year manager. Not starting Jazz Chisolm and Ben Rice just because you are facing a left handed pitcher is certainly a choice. This choice makes even less sense when you are still starting a left handed hitter in Austin Wells behind the plate, and then Boone subs Jazz into the game on defense just to then face a left hander in Aroldis Chapman in the 9th inning anyway. Add on top of that the choice to go to Luke Weaver in the 7th inning instead of letting Max Fried, who was lights out, finish the inning. Boone's decision making in this game showed what every Yankee fan could have told you, when faced against a good manager like Alex Cora, Boone overthinks and over-manages.
One thing currently holds true, if the Yankees can't find a way to beat an injury riddled Red Sox team that doesn't even have a game 3 starter, there's definitely a case to be made that maybe Aaron Boone just can't get the job done.