The Boston Red Sox saw their postseason end in ugly fashion Wednesday, but Sonny Gray believed he deserved to keep their season alive.
Boston lost 9-2 to the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series following a 9-0 Game 1 defeat, completing a sweep in which the Red Sox were outscored 18-2.
After the game, Gray questioned manager Chad Tracy’s decision to remove him in the fifth inning.
“I think I’m the best pitcher in the American League going through the order for a third time,” Gray said. “I think that’s a fact. I would’ve liked to live or die with me in that moment, but that’s the competitor I am. Yeah, I think you can probably ask the guys, and they felt the same way.”
Gray exited with two outs and runners on the corners while Boston trailed 1-0. He had thrown 70 pitches before Erik Miller replaced him.
“I felt strong,” Gray said. “I felt confident. I felt convicted… But what can you do, you know?”
Immediately after the switch, Cody Bellinger singled off Miller to make it 2-0, charging a second run to Gray. The Yankees scored seven more runs to blow the game open as Boston’s bullpen collapsed.
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Gray left the game after 4.2 innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out five. He went 18-5 with a 2.72 ERA in 29 starts and excelled against hitters the third time through the order, something he wasn’t allowed to do on Wednesday.
“I think I got clipped for a solo home run and then some singles, but I felt like I stayed on the attack throughout,” Gray said. “I’m frustrated, for sure. You know, not ready for it to end. A lot of emotions.”
Gray, whose contract includes a $30 million mutual option with a $10 million buyout, left his future in Boston uncertain after the elimination, saying, “I don’t know what the future holds for me” when asked whether the Red Sox remain his likely destination for the 2027 season.
