Red Sox Make Huge Payton Tolle Move Before Series Vs. Athletics
The Boston Red Sox open their penultimate home series of the regular season on Tuesday when they host the Athletics.
With every game holding massive stakes as the Red Sox fight for their first playoff berth since 2021, they’re making a change to their starting rotation in hopes of putting their best arms out there.
The team announced on Monday that Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito will be starting on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, meaning that rookie southpaw Payton Tolle is being skipped this turn through the rotation.
“Red Sox announce their rotation against the A’s: Early, Giolito, Bello. They’re skipping Tolle and having Giolito and Bello pitch on four days’ rest,” Alex Speier of The Boston Globe posted on Bluesky.
Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic added that the decision “likely” means that both Tolle and fellow lefty Kyle Harrison will be used as long relievers during the set vs. the Athletics.
The move makes sense, as Boston is still battling for a spot in the postseason.
Tolle was solid in his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 29, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts across 5 1/3 innings pitched in a no-decision. His two outings since then, however, have been underwhelming.
The 2024 second-round pick has surrendered seven runs (all earned) on eight hits — including four home runs — with four walks and four strikeouts across five frames in his last two starts.
Bello and Giolito, meanwhile, have been sharp over the summer as the No. 2 and No. 3 starters behind ace Garrett Crochet.
With the Toronto Blue Jays seeming likely to win the AL East, here are the wild-card standings as of Monday afternoon.
New York (83-66, +2.5 GB)
Boston (82-68, +1 GB)
Houston (81-69)
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Texas (79-71, 2.0 GB)
Cleveland (78-71, 2.5 GB)