Fried rode six solid frames before the bullpen, with the plan to close the chapter in the seventh when traffic mounted and a run persisted. A precise late-game pull set up the Duran- and Rafaela-driven lineup moves, then a high-leverage call to Weaver to handle the middle innings. The offense pressured but could not convert the decisive hit, leaving a fresh canvas for tomorrow as the series hinges on one swing and a few smart matchup calls.

Rafaela’s righty split against Weaver, plus the coach’s intent to mix in Williams and Bednar behind a shorter bench, framed the decision tree for the final outs. Goldschmidt and Judge provided bright spots with multi-hit at-bats, while the club leaned on Goldschmidt- and Rosario-driven rallies that just fell short. The mood: ready to come back locked in, with adjustments for the rematch and a path to the next win.

In a postseason setting, tempers stay even and plans stay sharp. The team previews tomorrow as a must-win continuation, confident in the preparation and the depth behind a potential late-inning surge. The moment demands crisp at-bats, timely bullpen usage, and the willingness to push one more hitter across the plate.

The Boston Red Sox are showing resilience in their play, particularly in one-run games, which have become a hallmark of their recent success. The team's ability to secure these close victories is noteworthy, especially following a pivotal home run from Ceddanne Rafaela, which some believe could mark a turning point for the season.

This team, reminiscent of the 2013 Red Sox, is proving that strong mental fortitude can lead to unexpected victories, despite lingering concerns about their defense and base running. As they head into the second half of the season, the Sox look to build on their current success, leveraging both their strong pitching and newfound confidence.