NEW YORK — Yankees manager Aaron Boone sent a text message to Red Sox manager Alex Cora, his former ESPN colleague, ahead of their weekend series at Yankee Stadium.
The two have maintained their friendship since their ESPN days. Cora did not disclose the content of Boone’s message, but it seems Boone is eager for his team to improve their performance. The Yankees have struggled since their visit to Fenway Park in June.
Entering the June 14-16 series, the Yankees had a strong 49-22 record (.690 winning percentage). Since then, they have gone 5-13, including losing two of three games to the Red Sox.
The Yankees, now at 54-35 (.607 winning percentage), are two games behind first-place Baltimore in the AL East standings.
“Booney texted me yesterday,” Cora said before Friday’s game at Fenway Park. “I felt like, ‘Come on, bro. You guys have 50-something wins. Don’t give me that one. I don’t want to hear it.’ They’re a good team going through a rough patch. Injuries have played a role, with Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo out. Gerrit Cole is back, and he’s one of the best in the business. They’re a strong team.”
Rizzo is on the IL with a right forearm fracture, and Stanton is on the IL with a left hamstring strain.
When asked about Boone’s message, Cora smiled and said, “He knows. He’s fine. They’re good.”
Cora noted that the biggest difference with the Yankees now compared to their last visit to Fenway is the altered lineup due to injuries and the struggles of the rotation, which have put extra strain on the bullpen.
The Red Sox have gone 12-5 since their series against the Yankees in Boston. Cora attributes the turnaround to their strong performance in the series before, where they won two of three games against the Phillies.
“The Phillies series,” Cora said. “We played really well against them, and then obviously against the Yankees. But the game against Aaron Nola was a turning point. Our approach and at-bats were impressive, and we’re getting healthier, too.”
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