Boston Red Sox starter Sonny Gray delivered a strong performance in a recent series-ending game against the New York Yankees. Despite a solid outing, Gray expressed dissatisfaction with manager Chad Tracy’s decision to remove him from the game.
Gray pitched for 4.2 innings, giving up two earned runs while striking out five. The game remained close at 1-0 until Gray faced the Yankees’ lineup a third time in the fifth inning. After allowing a hit to Ben Rice, Tracy decided to pull Gray, which led to an immediate impact on the scoreboard.
Erik Miller replaced Gray, and his first action was to give up a single, allowing the Yankees to score their second run of the game. Eventually, the Red Sox lost the game 9-2, but Gray’s comments after the match stole the spotlight.
“I think I’m the best pitcher in the American League the third time through the order,” Gray stated after the game. “I think that’s a fact. I would have liked to be trusted in that moment.”
Gray’s confidence was backed by his 2026 performance, where he achieved a 1.99 ERA in 162 plate appearances when pitching against batters a third time. His performance in this scenario ranked second in the American League and fourth in MLB, surpassed only by Kumar Rocker, Chris Sale, and Eduardo Rodriguez.
Gray’s Performance in 2026
Gray, known for being a three-time All-Star during his 14-year MLB career, delivered one of his finest seasons in 2026. He recorded a 2.72 ERA over 29 starts. His bWAR of 4.3 marked his highest since 2023 when he was with the Minnesota Twins and only the fourth time he achieved more than 4.0 in a season.
He led MLB with 18 wins and emerged as the Red Sox’s most reliable starter with All-Star Garrett Crochet absent. Gray possesses a mutual option for the 2026 season, yet his future remains uncertain.
After the game, Gray commented on his future, saying he “didn’t know” if he would stay in Boston if he decides not to retire. With uncertainty surrounding his decision, fans can only wait for Gray’s next move.
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