Baseball: A Two-Way Player-Chapter 663 - 17: The Green Monster (Part 2)

Yes, for Severino, who is only 23 years old this year, it's his first start in the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, and the atmosphere created by the Red Sox fans has somewhat affected him—after all, not everyone is Lin Guanglai, who can still smile in a stifling environment like this.

Walking over to Severino's side, Lin Guanglai reached out and patted him on the back a few times, teasingly saying, "Relax, Sevy—didn't you say you wanted to become the team's ace? How can an ace back down in the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry? If those Red Sox fans find out, you'll be laughed at for life!"

Severino still insisted, "Who, who... Who's scared? I'm just a bit cold! I really don't like this damn place, Boston, it's several times colder than New York..." But unfortunately, his fragmented words already exposed his mindset.

"Sevy, you have no personal grudge against those Red Sox fans, at most you're symbolically affected as a Yankee..." Lin Guanglai smiled, not pushing Severino further, just pointed to another teammate who had just returned to the player area, saying, "Look at Jacoby, he's acting like nothing's wrong, what's there to be nervous about?"

Jacoby Ellsbury, also having just finished warming up and returned to the player area, reacted to his name being mentioned by Lin Guanglai, first blanking for a moment, then smoothly picked up the topic, "Yeah, Sevy. There's nothing to be nervous about, today the main target for Boston's fans will definitely be me..."

Thinking about this, Ellsbury sighed, "Today when defending in center field, I guess I won't be at ease..."

33-year-old Jacoby Ellsbury had served as a key outfielder for the Boston Red Sox for seven seasons before joining the Yankees, during which he won two World Series titles and was once a city hero in Boston.

However, in the summer of 2013, as a free agent, Ellsbury didn't choose to re-sign with his home team but instead signed a massive 7-year, $153 million contract with their arch-rivals, the New York Yankees—a move viewed by Red Sox fans as a betrayal akin to Judas's.

Because of this, every time Ellsbury returned to Fenway Park, now a Yankee, he received the most "enthusiastic" cheers from Boston fans, including all kinds of insults, not limited to personal attacks.

"Also..." Seeing Severino's mood slightly improved, Lin Guanglai spoke again, "Even if you give up some runs, don't we have us? You just focus on pitching, and leave the rest to us hitters!"

"Lin's right." At this time, Aaron Judge, freshly returning to the player area, overheard their conversation, continued from Lin Guanglai's words, "This is also my first time at Fenway Park. If possible, I'd like to conquer that Green Monster here too..."

Aaron Judge said, while casting his gaze toward the distant towering home run wall—as the reigning king of home runs in the league, and a top right-handed batter, he indeed had the credentials to say so.

With the comforting presence of a group of teammates around, Severino's previously restless heart could find some calm.

Actually, as a fellow member of the starting rotation, Lin Guanglai could somewhat understand Severino's mindset: after all, the Red Sox lineup is truly luxurious—especially their top three hitters, Bogaerts, Benintendi, and Betts, each with a batting average over .300, capable of producing over 20 home runs, any pitcher facing these would feel some pressure.

Given this, as a member of the lineup, it becomes even more vital to support the pitchers with relentless offense!

With the umpire announcing the start of the game amidst Fenway Park's uproar, the visiting Yankees were first to attack.

Thanks to stellar performances in preseason and since the start of the season, the positions of Lin Guanglai and Aaron Judge in the lineup had continually risen, nearly settling after just under a month since opening day:

Playing the wide-angle approach, sending the ball to any corner of the field, Lin Guanglai occupied the third spot, tasked with driving runners in from the first two spots or spearheading continued aggression if they hadn't reached base.

In the fourth spot, seasoned Jacoby Ellsbury, with an over .350 batting average and leading the American League, had the responsibility of fourth spot aggression, perfectly suited for the role.

Behind them, Aaron Judge appeared as the fifth batter, a 24-year-old with immense home run power, contributing six home runs in a month, a .284 batting average, and 1.024 OPS showing he remained a top-tier hitter in the league, naturally fitting to clear the bases.

The Red Sox, aware of the Yankees lineup's outstanding form, chose one of their aces, Rick Porcello, last season's Cy Young Award winner, to start this eagerly awaited Yankees-Red Sox showdown.

In the top of the first inning, Porcello's start was rather smooth: facing Gardner, struggling lately, Porcello needed just three pitches to get a swing out, and Gardner's weak grounder was safely fielded by Bogaerts at shortstop, sent to first base without issue.

Chase Headley, batting second with excellent recent form, became a target for Porcello. Utilizing Headley's eagerness for achievement, Porcello swung a signature sinkerball to strike him out.

Boston's hatred for New York, Red Sox for Yankees, seems almost inherent, every Yankee player's out amplifying Fenway Park's atmosphere.

"Go home, Yankee! This is our house!"

"2004! 2004!! 2004!!!"

The chants of the Red Sox fans repeatedly echoed "2004," an ultimate nightmare Yankees fans hoped to forget: in that year's ALCS, leading 3-0 and holding four match points, the Yankees were defeated by Red Sox in a historic comeback, forever nailed on the pillar of shame by their nemesis.

Red Sox fans today are not just rubbing salt in the Yankees' wound but are also retaliating against the Yankees fans who once mocked them with "1918."

Yet, this surge of noise had not echoed long before suddenly cutting off—

Against Porcello, a Cy Young-caliber pitcher, Lin Guanglai, batting third, opted to swing on the first pitch, sending the ball towards the Green Monster in left field with a push hitting posture.

In theory, left-handed hitters at Fenway Park are best off targeting right field, with its short 93m distance from the foul pole to home base, and especially broad area, easily hitting a fair ball along the foul line.

The problem is, manning Red Sox's right field is Mookie Betts: one of the best outfielders in the league acknowledged by all, Betts' defensive coverage is vast, with lightning pace, challenging this star hastily at Fenway isn't wise.

Compared to which, Benintendi in left field is merely a rookie up in the major league not long, although he has superb physical attributes, having not played much in Fenway Park, the unawareness of rebound tendencies off the Green Monster grants Lin Guanglai additional operating room.

Under Porcello's suppression, Lin Guanglai's ball lacked enough launch angle to become a home run; instead, it thudded against the Green Monster, then rebounded toward the third base foul pole, catching the advancing Benintendi off-guard; by the time he secured the ball and threw it back to the infield, Lin Guanglai was already at third base.

Capitalizing on the brief chaos after the Red Sox were hit with a triple, amidst overwhelming jeers, Boston-familiar Ellsbury seized the chance too, with an economical single bringing Lin Guanglai home, adding a run for the Yankees.

Aaron Judge, batting fifth, showcased prowess again, his monstrous power from within his large frame sending the ball out through Fenway's center field, bringing two more runs for the Yankees—according to Statcast, this ball had a launch angle of 27 degrees, reaching an initial speed of 170 km/h!

"Finally, Fenway Park has some peace." Lin Guanglai thought.