The Boston Red Sox opened their postseason with a strong 3-1 win over the New York Yankees in Game 1, but the victory was overshadowed by troubling news that could shape the rest of their playoff run.
Garrett Crochet and Aroldis Chapman carried the Red Sox with dominant pitching, while some late offense sealed the win. Brayan Bello is set to start Game 2, but Boston now faces uncertainty for Game 3 after learning Lucas Giolito will miss the series due to an elbow injury.
Manager Alex Cora told reporters before Game 1 that the team doesn’t expect Giolito to pitch at all in October, per MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith.
“It’s not as bad as we first feared, but we’re still waiting on more details,” Cora said Tuesday. “Hopefully it’s just rest, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be available this postseason.”
Cora acknowledged the loss: “It’s tough. He’s been one of our best. He was throwing really well, even if lately his velocity and command weren’t quite there. We’ve got other guys who can step up—we just have to keep moving forward. It’s another hurdle, but we’re still in it.”
Giolito had been one of Boston’s most reliable arms this season, going 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA and 121 strikeouts over 26 starts. Slotted as the team’s No. 3 playoff starter behind Crochet and Bello, his absence leaves a significant hole the Red Sox must fill to keep their championship hopes alive.
Be the first to comment