The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels are meeting in a pivotal series, with both teams clinging to the American League Wild Card race.
The 28-33 Angels are five games out of a Wild Card spot, while the Red Sox are 30-34 and 4.5 games out. The Red Sox lost the first game of the series 4-3, with manager Alex Cora expressing frustration at the team’s defense and bullpen.
Multiple Reports Highlight Tense Exchange Between Red Sox, Angels Players
Multiple reports from Fenway Park revealed a tense exchange before Game 2. “There was kerfuffle between the Angels and Red Sox a little while ago with words exchanged along third base line,” shared Boston radio host Rob Bradford on X.
Reportedly, Angels pitcher Tyler Anderson had words with Red Sox hitting coach José Flores. Members of both teams then gathered to see what was going on, with the benches clearing.
Benches clear during the practice? It happened @RedSox vs. @Angels pre-game. Not sure what was going on. pic.twitter.com/UbRvrpqXGq
— Carlos Yamazaki (@masashicarlos) June 4, 2025
The altercation is just another example of how significant this series is for both teams as they try to stay in the playoff race.
Expectations were higher for the Red Sox coming into the season after signing star third baseman Alex Bregman from the Houston Astros, World Series champion Walker Buehler from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and reaching a long-term deal with ace Garrett Crochet after trading for him from the Chicago White Sox.
However, this season has been rocky. All-Star designated hitter Rafael Devers was upset about being moved away from third base to make room for Bregman and then refused to play first base when Triston Casas sustained a serious injury.
Devers is tied for the league lead in runs batted in, so the positional drama has not affected his performance but made headlines nonetheless.
Shortstop Trevor Story is in the fourth year of a six-year, $140 million contract that seems like a bust. He currently has a .594 OPS while playing average to below-average defense at shortstop. Many Red Sox fans have asked for him to be benched.
Relief pitcher Liam Hendriks has a 6.59 ERA and spoke out about receiving death threats from Red Sox fans. Starting pitcher Tanner Houck was an All-Star last year but compiled an 8.04 ERA before going on the injured list with a forearm strain.
The Red Sox are on the verge of becoming sellers at the trade deadline, and outfielder Jarren Duran has emerged as a coveted piece to opposing teams.
If the Red Sox are unable to turn things around, there will likely be changes, which could include trading Duran or relieving Cora of his managerial duties. Maybe, though, the intensity fueled both teams, as it led to a high-scoring 11-9 win for Boston at home, evening the series at one apiece.
This altercation is the latest example of the high tensions surrounding the Red Sox clubhouse.