Sonny Gray Calls Himself Best AL Pitcher, Questions Red Sox Future After Playoff Loss to Yankees

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Sonny Gray wondered why he was removed during the team's 9-2 loss to the New York Yankees in Game 2 of their Wild Card Series clash on Wednesday.

"I think I'm the best pitcher in the American League the third time through the order," Gray said after the contest, per CBS Sports' Julian McWilliams. "I think that's a fact. I would have liked to be trusted in that moment."

He added that he felt "strong," "confident," and "convicted" before he was taken out.

With the defeat, the Red Sox were eliminated from the postseason.

Gray, who has a $30 million mutual option for his 2027 campaign, was also noncommittal about his future in Boston.

Gray pitched the first four innings for the Red Sox on Wednesday until he was removed with two outs and runners at the corners in the bottom of the fifth. He had only thrown 70 pitches at the time, while the Yankees led Boston 1-0.

Red Sox reliever Erik Miller wasn't able to keep New York from extending the lead after Gray's exit, as he gave up a single to Cody Bellinger that gave the Yankees a 2-0 edge.

New York's lineup continued to excel against Boston's bullpen, scoring seven runs over the next two innings to wrap up the lopsided win.

Gray was a key piece of the Red Sox rotation throughout the regular season, owning an 18-5 record in 29 starts to go along with a 2.72 ERA.

He was particularly sharp during the third time through the order, owning a 1.99 ERA and limiting opposing hitters to a .180/.235/.280 slash line in such situations (via FanGraphs).

Gray didn't receive an opportunity to close out the fifth inning on Wednesday night, though.