The Boston Red Sox are officially out of the postseason, but the real story ripping through the league isn’t just the Yankees’ win: it’s what Boston’s own ace, Sonny Gray, said after getting pulled from their Game 2 loss on Wednesday.
‘I’m The Best’: Gray Blasts His Own Team’s Call
This dude was heated. Gray didn’t hold back after the game, telling CBS Sports’ Julian McWilliams, “I think I’m the best pitcher in the American League the third time through the order. I think that’s a fact. I would have liked to be trusted in that moment.” And honestly? The numbers back him up. Throughout the regular season, Gray was a beast, rocking an 18-5 record with a 2.72 ERA in 29 starts. But when hitters saw him for the third time? Forget about it. He posted a ridiculous 1.99 ERA and held opposing hitters to a measly .180 average, .235 OBP, and .280 slugging percentage in those spots, according to FanGraphs. He even said he felt “strong,” “confident,” and “convicted” out there. So why the hook?
The 70-Pitch Decision That Cost Everything
That’s the million-dollar question, right? Gray was absolutely cruising. He’d only thrown 70 pitches on Wednesday night when the Red Sox brass decided to pull him. It was the bottom of the fifth, two outs, runners at the corners, and the Yankees were up just 1-0. You pull your ace in that spot? You better have a plan. Because what happened next was a total meltdown. Reliever Erik Miller came in, immediately gave up a single to Cody Bellinger, and that 1-0 lead jumped to 2-0. From there, it was a total collapse. The Yankees absolutely crushed Boston’s bullpen, piling on seven more runs over the next two innings to turn a close game into a lopsided 9-2 rout. Gray didn’t even get a chance to finish the fifth. Ouch.
So, the Red Sox are done, eliminated in two games. But the drama isn’t. Not only is Gray questioning his team’s trust, he was also “noncommittal” about his future in Boston. This guy’s got a $30 million mutual option for 2027, and after a performance where he felt he was the “best” and got yanked, you gotta wonder if he’s already got one foot out the door. The Yankees eliminated the Red Sox, but Boston’s front office might have eliminated their ace themselves. Talk about a brutal exit.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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