Red Sox Ace Lucas Giolito Out With Elbow Injury for AL Wild Card Series vs Yankees

The Boston Red Sox will face the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card series without starting pitcher Lucas Giolito due to an elbow injury. Giolito, who had a strong 2025 season with a 10-4 record and 3.41 ERA after recovering from Tommy John surgery, visited Dr. Jeffrey Dugas for evaluation, but will not be available for the series. Manager Alex Cora has named Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello as starters for Games 1 and 2, with rookie left-hander Connelly Early and Kyle Harrison among potential options for a winner-take-all Game 3, should it be needed. Fans remain optimistic about the team's chances, believing the series may not extend to a third game and expressing confidence in Crochet and Bello's ability to secure a win. Giolito's absence is a significant loss for the Red Sox pitching staff, but the team is adapting by considering less experienced pitchers for critical postseason roles. The winner of this series will advance to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Division Series.