The long-simmering feud between Walker Buehler and Francisco Lindor exploded once again Tuesday night at Fenway Park, culminating in the ejections of both Buehler and Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora in the third inning of a tense 2-0 win over the New York Mets.
What seemed like a routine missed call quickly turned into a dramatic turning point, but the bad blood between Buehler and Lindor runs deeper than just one pitch — it traces back to October 16, 2024, during a pivotal playoff matchup between the Mets and Dodgers.
In that game, with the bases loaded and two outs, Buehler struck out Lindor in dominant fashion to end the inning and punctuated it by yelling, “F*** you, b**** ass,” as he strutted off the mound. That moment went viral and sparked one of the more personal and intense player rivalries in recent memory.
Core Moments Remain Within Players
Seven months later, the tension reappeared on a national level. In the third inning, Buehler, who had just returned from the Red Sox’s injured list, hit Lindor on the back foot. During the subsequent at-bat, Buehler delivered a fastball to Juan Soto that seemed to cleanly catch the inside corner after Lindor stole second base. However, Buehler exploded as home plate umpire Mike Estabrook signaled a ball.
He screamed in frustration, was quickly dismissed, and was heard mouthing a foul-mouthed reply at Estabrook. Cora was tossed out himself almost immediately after rushing out of the dugout to protect his pitcher. However, throughout the altercation, Lindor appeared to gesture and speak directly to Estabrook, clearly advocating for Buehler to be thrown.
After the game, Buehler responded online, referencing Lindor’s role in the ejection. “I wouldn’t want me out there either,” he posted on X. “Sad thing is the BULLPEN is full of f****** animals. Tough choice.”
Buehler With the Last Laugh
Despite the early fireworks, Boston’s bullpen held strong. Lefty Brennan Bernardino entered and finished the third inning, walking Soto but keeping the Mets scoreless. The relievers then worked the final 20 outs, sealing a 2-0 shutout and a series win that evened the Red Sox’s record at 25-25.
Lindor, who has been red-hot in 2025 with 54 hits, 30 runs, and 28 RBIs, has never been one to openly instigate. But Tuesday night was different — a clear sign that October’s dust-up still lingers. With Buehler now in Boston and the Mets playing in a different league, matchups between the two are rare. But when they do meet, fans should expect intensity, drama, and no shortage of fireworks.
This isn’t just a game anymore; it’s personal.