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Austin Wells' Basing Running Error Costs Yankees Chance in Game 1 of LDS

 Fair or not, Game 1 of the 2026 American League Division Series will forever be known as the Austin Wells Game. 

That is because Wells got caught trying to turn a big play into a monumental play when he thought his double down the right field line took an extra hop and committed himself toward going to third. 

Turned out to be a big mistake. As Luis Rojas' had his hands up in the air motioning Wells to stop at second, he admitted in postgame, that by the time he saw Rojas he was committed. 


"I tried to make something happen in being aggressive.  After I was passing second I picked his hands up, but I was committed," Wells said, adding in the moment he was trying to be aggressive. 

His answer was understandable, but it was a mistake nevertheless. 

Had Wells stopped many assume that manager Aaron Boone would have pinched hit Ryan McMahon for Giancarlo Stanton, who hadn't batted in a live Major League Game since April 24. The very thought of Stanton, who crushed seven homers and drove in 16 two Octobers ago, was tantalizing, but we'll never know how that played out. 

However it is also unfair to make the assumption that Stanton ties it there. Rays ace Drew Rasmussen was absolutely dealing on Saturday night. He held the Yankees hitless through 7-2/3 innings of work, with only two walks and 10 strikeouts to boot. 


 

The A.L. Cy Young Award candidate is 3-1 against the Yankees in four starts for a reason. Heck he was on the mound two weeks ago when the Rays clinched the A.L. East crown at Yankee Stadium. The guy just knows how to pitch to the Yankees. In fact the Yankees current lineup hits a career .167 against him. 

Sure it's easy to get on Wells for what could have been, but making that assumption just doesn't pass muster to what was really happening on Saturday night. 

The Yankees who pounded 26 hits and scored 18 runs against the Red Sox were totally put to sleep, and it wasn't even close. 

Whehter this game lives in infamy or not depends on how New York responds. Cam Schlitter will get the ball on Monday night. If he dominates or shuts the Rays down, and the Yankees can win, this series is back on track for the Pinstirpes.  


 

Location: New York, NY, USA

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