The Yankees and Red Sox are about to renew one of baseball’s fiercest rivalries, now in the framework of the American League Wild Card Series. Although Boston dominated the regular season series, it will be New York who will have the home advantage in the three possible games. The duel will begin with two powerful lefties on the mound: Max Fried for the Yankees and Garrett Crochet for the Red Sox. However, an unexpected piece of news could tip the scales in favor of the Bronx outfit.
Starter Lucas Giolito will not be available for a hypothetical third game of the series due to elbow discomfort: “Lucas Giolito has an elbow problem and will not be available for the American League Wild Card Series. He would have been Boston’s starter in the third game,” confirmed MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch
Who will start for Boston if there is a Game 3 against the Yankees? Red Sox in trouble
With Giolito out of the equation, the Red Sox must improvise. Alex Cora confirmed that the right-hander’s bullpen was shortened and will be evaluated by a specialist. Without a reliable and experienced third option, the manager will have to rely on the youth of his rotation for a possible decisive game.
Among the options is Connelly Early, a rookie with just 19.1 innings pitched in MLB, but with a respectable 2.33 ERA. Another possibility is Peyton Tolle, also without postseason experience. If there is no definite starter, Boston would have to go for a total bullpen strategy, a risky move against a New York offense that can punish any mistake.
Lucas Giolito out: Yankees’ ultimate advantage?
Giolito’s absence not only affects the Wild Card Series, but also seriously jeopardizes the Red Sox’s future if they advance. Giolito, who joined as a free agent before the 2024 season, missed that entire year due to Tommy John surgery, but by 2025 he had returned with a 3.41 ERA, matching his personal best.
New York, on the other hand, could take advantage of the uncertainty in Boston’s rotation. With established pitchers and the crowd on their side, they have a golden opportunity to eliminate their eternal rival and continue advancing in the postseason.
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