Boston Red Sox starter Sonny Gray had a solid outing in Wednesday's series-ending loss to the New York Yankees, but didn't hold back when speaking after the game. Gray threw 4.2 innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out five and receiving a loss, but took issue with when manager Chad Tracy removed him from the game. The right-hander reached the top of the Yankees' order for the third time in the fifth inning in a 1-0 game, and after allowing a hit to No. 1 hitter Ben Rice to put runners on first and third, Tracy took him out.
Erik Miller entered the game for Gray, and immediately allowed a single to bring home the Yankees' second run of the game. The Red Sox went on to lose, 9-2. I would have liked to be trusted in that moment.” Gray is rightfully confident in that scenario, as he performed extremely well in his third time through the order in 2026.
He has a 1.99 ERA in 162 plate appearances against batters during his third time through the order, which ranked second in the American League and fourth in MLB during the regular season. The only players in baseball with better numbers in that situation are Kumar Rocker, Chris Sale and Eduardo Rodriguez. Gray, a three-time All-Star and 14-year MLB veteran, had one of the best years of his career in 2026, posting a 2.72 ERA through 29 starts. his 4.3 bWAR is the most he's accrued in a single season since 2023 with the Minnesota Twins, and marks just the fourth time he has logged more than 4.0 in a season.
His 18 wins led all of MLB, and he served as the team's most consistent starter in the absence of All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet. Gray has a mutual option for the 2026 season, but whether or not he chooses to remain in Boston is up in the air. After yesterday's game, Gray said he "didn't know" if he wants to remain in Boston should he choose not to retire.
With his future unknown, all fans can do is wait as Gray mulls over his decision.
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