Overview

• Cora told reporters the Red Sox should stop talking about October and focus on playing better immediately.
• Boston fell 4-1 in the series opener at New York, managing two hits as Kutter Crawford allowed four earned runs over five innings to drop the team to 81-67.
• The defeat trimmed Boston’s wild-card cushion to a single game over Houston and Seattle.
• The club is navigating a lengthy injured list reportedly at 15 players, including Triston Casas, Hunter Dobbins and Liam Hendriks, as recent offensive output has cooled.
• Since Roman Anthony went on the injured list, the Red Sox are 4-5, and Game 2 with Brayan Bello on the mound offers an immediate test of Cora’s message.