Boston – The Red Sox are counting on veteran right‑hander Sonny Gray to keep their postseason hopes alive Wednesday night. After a 9‑0 loss in Game 1 of the best‑of‑three Wild Card Series, Gray will start the decisive Game 2 against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park.
Gray’s season and recent performance
Approaching his 37th birthday, Gray is tied for the major‑league lead with 18 wins and boasts a 2.72 ERA, his best full‑season mark. He flirted with a no‑hit bid into the eighth inning against the Yankees in June, helping Boston complete a four‑game sweep that sparked a dramatic turnaround from a 32‑46 start to an 87‑75 record and a playoff berth.
Gray has faced the Yankees at Yankee Stadium twice since leaving the club, posting solid outings both times. Most recently, he delivered three runs over 6 1/3 innings in Boston’s 5‑3 win in the Bronx on June 5.
Quotes from teammates and coaches
Red Sox teammate Trevor Story praised Gray’s durability: “He’s had a great career, and he’s a pitcher to its finest degree.” Manager Chad Tracy added, “Anytime he’s out there, we feel good about it. Having him out there tomorrow, obviously the season’s on the line for us, and he can handle that.”
Past challenges and a fresh start
Gray’s tenure with the Yankees was rocky. He posted a 15‑16 record with a 4.52 ERA for New York after being acquired from Oakland in July 2017. A memorable moment came in August 2018 when he was removed from the rotation after a heated exchange with fans at Yankee Stadium.
Since leaving New York, Gray revived his career with stints in Cincinnati, Minnesota and St. Louis before being traded to Boston last November. He said the move gave him a better environment for his family: “New York just wasn’t a good situation for me, wasn’t a great setup for me and my family. I never wanted to go there in the first place.”
What’s at stake
The Red Sox must win Game 2 to force a decisive third game. Gray faces a Yankees staff led by Max Fried, who has been effective this postseason. Gray remains confident, noting that his time in New York made him a stronger person and a better pitcher.
“Playing here made me a stronger person, made me a better man, a better husband,” Gray said. “Ultimately, it made me a better pitcher, a better baseball player.”
Looking ahead
If Boston prevails, the series will head to a winner‑takes‑all Game 3, giving the Red Sox a chance to continue their unexpected run. For now, the city’s fans hope Gray can turn the tide and keep the Red Sox’s season alive.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
