The Red Sox will start left-hander Payton Tolle in Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series against the Yankees in New York on Tuesday night, manager Chad Tracy announced on Monday afternoon. Righty Sonny Gray, a former Yankee, will take the ball for Boston in Game 2.
The Sox will start left-hander Ranger Suarez in a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday should it be necessary.
Tolle, a rookie, has become a fireballing fan favorite in Boston, just as likely to strike someone out on a 98 mph heater as he is to wrap someone into a bear hug. The Red Sox have no reservations about putting the 23-year-old into the hostile territory Yankee Stadium figures to be.
The Yankees strongly considered left-hander Max Fried (5-5, 2.80 ERA) to start Game 1, but ultimately chose AL Cy Young favorite Cam Schlittler for the opener. Fried will follow in Game 2, with Gerrit Cole ready for Game 3, if necessary.