The Red Sox are turning to Payton Tolle for the biggest start of his young career, and manager Chad Tracy made it clear why. Boston will send the 23-year-old rookie to the mound in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Yankees on Tuesday, choosing his power arsenal over a more established option in Sonny Gray.
Tolle’s rise has been fast. Drafted in the second round in 2024, he reached the majors in 2025 and put together a sharp first full season, going 9-6 with a 3.03 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 26 starts. He’s also become one of the more entertaining arms in the Red Sox clubhouse, known for everything from hugging players to punching out hitters.
Tracy said the decision was in motion well before the postseason arrived.
"We had a good idea, even going into last week, that we were leaning that way, which is why we arranged the rotation at the beginning of this past week the way we did… With his power stuff, that was the best choice for Game 1," Tracy said.
He added that Tolle gives Boston a certain kind of flexibility, especially in a matchup like this.
"With Payton, when he’s starting, you’re not as much worried about who’s in the lineup. You trust him either way. We’re pretty confident in who he is as a pitcher and what he brings to the table, regardless of who he’s facing."
The numbers against New York back up that confidence. In two outings against the Yankees this season, Tolle went 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA and struck out 18 batters.
The Yankees’ lineup has managed just a .125/.152/.219 slash line against him, along with a .370 OPS and four hits in 32 at-bats. Aaron Judge, who is trying to play in the series, has struck out twice against Tolle.
The pitching matchup for the series is loaded from top to bottom. Cam Schlittler will start Game 1 for New York, while Sonny Gray is set to pitch Wednesday against Max Fried.
Boston and New York meet for Game 1 on Sept. 29 at Yankees at 8 p.m., with Games 2 and 3 also scheduled for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.
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