Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray was in his feelings after being swept by the New York Yankees in their wild-card series in the playoffs on Wednesday. The Yankees made light work of the Red Sox, 9-2, in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium to advance to the ALDS.
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy pulled Gray in the fifth inning. In 70 pitches, Gray allowed two earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
The veteran right-hander, who did not appreciate getting yanked off early, made a defiant claim after the game.
“I'm the best pitcher in the American League going through the order for a third time. I think that's a fact. I would've liked to live or die with me in that moment, but that's the competitor I am. I think you could probably ask the guys if they felt the same way. I felt strong. I felt confident,” said the 36-year-old Gray in a video posted by SNY.
"I'm the best pitcher in the American League going through the order for a third time. I think that's a fact. I would've liked to live or die with me in that moment…ask the guys in here if they felt the same way. I felt strong, confident."
Sonny Gray on getting pulled in the… pic.twitter.com/hIWTd77Aso
— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) October 1, 2026
As expected, fans of the Yankees had a field day with his bold statement.
“Tool bag. You're not even close to the best,” said @HenryHill1224.
“You're not even the best pitcher on your team. You won a lot of games and clearly have been getting away with using sticky stuff. Didn’t have the nuts to pitch in the Bronx. Enjoy your October cruise,” added @TheSportsBubba.
Article Continues Below“It says here, sir, at no point ever have you been considered the best pitcher in the league,” noted @314_2right, sharing a list of the winners of the Cy Young Award.
** checks notes** it says here sir at no point ever have you been considered the best pitcher in the league. pic.twitter.com/0kF7aD4xFB
— OctoberWells (@314_2right) October 1, 2026
“Bro talked all that smack at the start of the season just to be the pitcher to lose to the Yankees. It's poetic,” stated @OrlandoVergelJr.
“There's a reason the Yankees traded him for a hot dog and beer after acquiring him. He was not well liked,” commented @ezmedik.
Gray, a three-time All-Star, played for the Yankees from 2017 to 2018.
The Red Sox acquired him in November in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Brandon Clarke, Richard Fitts, and Patrick Galle.