NEW YORK — Brayan Bello’s dominant, seven-inning start Friday was more than just another stellar outing against the Yankees in a long line of them. It was yet another reminder that Bello has emerged as a staff force for the Red Sox so far in 2025.
During a season in which All Star Garrett Crochet has gotten the lion’s share of the attention when it comes to Boston’s rotation, Bello has taken a massive step forward. In dominating the Yankees for the second time in a three-month span Friday, his ERA dropped to 3.07 ERA through 135 innings, setting him up to finish off a career year — one that was delayed by nearly a month due to shoulder inflammation — over the final five weeks.
“He started behind. He wasn’t ready in spring training, was able to build up a little bit. Threw the ball OK but he wasn’t efficient,” said manager Alex Cora. “He got better. Now, every five days, it feels like (Garrett) Crochet. It’s Brayan’s night and we’re gonna be OK.”
The Crochet quote, of course, refers to Boston’s feeling whenever its ace, who was an All-Star, steps to the mound. The lefty, who pitches Saturday at Yankee Stadium, has a 2.43 ERA this season and Boston is 16-9 in his 25 starts.
Bello was not billed as an ace for the Red Sox this season but, in recent months, has pitched like one. He has an ERA under 3.00 in each of the last three months, and has completed more than six innings in 12 of his last 15 starts. For a pitcher that always has had a high ceiling but had always struggled with efficiency, that’s a significant step.
“We talked a little bit about controlling the emotions,” said Cora. “He’s still a kid. His life has changed the last two years, not only financially, but wife and kids. I think that has really helped him.
“Now, you see it. He’s a lot stronger than three years ago. He has evolved as a pitcher.”
Bello’s performance Friday night, in a head-to-head matchup against scuffling Yankees $218 million ace Max Fried, gave the Sox a chance to win a 1-0 game on a Connor Wong RBI double in the seventh. Bello improved to 5-3 with a striking 1.95 ERA in 10 starts against the Yankees in his career. He has held them to six hits in 14 shutout innings over two appearances this year.
“What he usually does here,” said Cora. “He enjoys this stage. He does. Threw strikes, was efficient, got ahead, stayed ahead. I even thought about him going out in the eighth but I hesitated. Our two guys are really good at what they do. He did more than enough.”
Crochet will get the ball in Game 1 of any playoff series, assuming the Red Sox are lined up that way. Bello’s success in big games makes him a strong candidate for Game 2.
“I love pitching here,” he said of Yankee Stadium.
Cora pointed to a strong outing during an up-and-down rookie season for Bello as the moment he knew the talented righty could pitch in the biggest moments. On September 25, 2022, Bello allowed two runs (one earned) in six innings against a Yankees team that would go on to win 94 games and run away with the AL East.
“Is it the final product? Not yet,” said Cora. “But I looked at the numbers today, saw the ERA and was like, ‘Woah, we’re in a good spot.’”
Bello cited improved game-planning and a better workout routine as factors that led to his breakout season, which came a year after the Red Sox bet on him with a six-year, $55 million extension that began last year and includes a lucrative team option for 2030. After a rocky 2024 that made some doubt that commitment, he has proven worthy this season.
“I feel like the confidence I have has been very good for me,” Bello said. “Trying to execute every pitch and try to not let the pitch before dictate what the next pitch is going to be. I feel like that’s been some huge growth this year.”
The Red Sox will continue to rely on Bello — as Crochet’s running mate, along with Lucas Giolito — to carry them down the stretch. Any further starts at Yankee Stadium would be in October.
“I don’t know what it is,” said Cora, “but it seems like he enjoys this atmosphere.
“Every pitch counted tonight. I’m glad he had a great one.”
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