The Boston Red Sox are back in the postseason for the first time since 2021, but their return to October baseball comes with a gut punch. Just as manager Alex Cora was setting up his Wild Card rotation against the New York Yankees , the team learned that Lucas Giolito — expected to be their Game 3 starter — won’t even make the roster because of an elbow issue .

For a team that finally clawed its way back into contention, the timing couldn’t be worse. The Red Sox enter as the fifth seed in the American League, holding the second Wild Card spot behind the Yankees. That sets up a heavyweight showdown in the Bronx — and a pitching matchup that suddenly feels more fragile than Boston would like.

Game 1: Crochet vs. Fried

Boston will turn to its ace, Garrett Crochet, on Tuesday night at Yanke

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