Payton Tolle

The Boston Red Sox have set their Wild Card Series rotation, with left-hander Payton Tolle named to start Game 1 and Sonny Gray slated for Game 2. The decision puts a young arm on the mound for the postseason opener as Boston opens playoff play, and fans and analysts are weighing the choice ahead of the series.

Attention is on Red Sox pitching prospect Payton Tolle amid talk that he could get the ball for Game 1 against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The 22-year-old left-hander, who reached Boston quickly after being drafted, is being weighed as a bold option for the high-stakes playoff opener, and fans are debating whether the rookie can handle the moment in New York.

The Boston Red Sox have released their starting lineup for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees. Roman Anthony serves as designated hitter, Adley Rutschman catches, Willson Contreras plays first base, and Payton Tolle gets the start on the mound. Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Nick Sogard, Jarren Duran, Trevor Story and Caleb Durbin round out the order as the rivals open the postseason series in New York.

The Yankees face a lineup decision ahead of their AL wild-card series against the Boston Red Sox: whether to sit Jazz Chisholm Jr. when Boston starts left-hander Payton Tolle. The matchup has sparked debate among fans over whether New York will prioritize the platoon advantage or keep its star infielder in the lineup for a win-or-go-home playoff series.