Sonny

Gray

Gray tossed two scoreless innings, stranding two runners in the second inning, but ran into trouble in the third. He recorded two quick outs, then struggled to find the third as the Blue Jays brought five runs in on six consecutive hits, including a three-run blast by George Springer. Gray would give the Red Sox two more scoreless innings, ending his day after five with three strikeouts. It was the first start in which Gray allowed more than three runs since April 14. The 36-year-old right-hander will take a 2.78 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 93/28 K/BB ratio across 106 2/3 innings into a start against the Athletics in Sacramento on Thursday.

Gray gave up five hits, walked four and struck out five. He improved to 12-1 with the win. Gray allowed an inside-the-park home run to Victor Mesa Jr. in the second inning, but otherwise held the Rays scoreless for six innings. He has a 2.48 ERA and 3.67 xFIP. Gray is lined up to face the Blue Jays at home next weekend.

Meant to be tired after the Red Sox’s travel woes between Thursday and Friday, Gray lulled the Mets to sleep here. He didn’t have anything close to his best swing-and-miss stuff and only forced two whiffs, but showed great command of his sinker and used it to wriggle out of a few jams with some timely double plays. After this excellent start, he’ll close the first half with a 2.54 ERA, 85 strikeouts, and 24 walks across 95 2/3 innings. That is the lowest ERA by a qualified pitcher that did not make either All-Star team.

The complicating factor here is that the Red Sox may not sell if they turn things around — three wild card teams have been a disincentive for early trades — and they seem to be showing some sparks of life lately. Gray hails from Nashville and would presumably waive his no-trade clause to go to the Braves. It would seem to be a good match, given Atlanta’s banged up rotation, if the Red Sox do sell.

Sonny Gray has a no trade clause and has been really good for a Boston team that is only four games out of the Wild Card in the American League, so he shouldn’t be viewed as a slam dunk trade candidate. In addition to that, as Passan notes, his contract is a potential probably because, in addition to his $10 million salary over the final two months of th eseason, his restructed contract includes a $10 million buyout on a $30 million mutual option for 2027. That leaves “Boston somewhat hamstrung unless it’s willing to pay down a significant portion and convince Gray to accept a deal.”

Gray scattered four hits, with one of those being a solo homer by Josh Lowe. He struck out seven against two walks, and he found the zone on 48-of-70 pitches. It wasn’t quite as good as the no-hit bid he had in his previous outing against New York, but it’s another solid outing that sees Gray lower his ERA to 2.61 with a deserved 10-1 record. We’re just as confused as everyone else how that’s not an All-Star, but he’ll make his final start before the break against the Mets on Friday.

Gray was removed immediately after Amed Rosario’s single up the middle with one out in the eighth. Tyron Guerrero replaced him and got out of the inning from there. It’s the deepest Gray has ever carried a no-no, and his ninth and final strikeout of the night gave him 2,000 for his career. He’s tied with Andy Benes on the all-time list there, having passed Billy Pierce and Kevin Appier tonight. He’s seventh among active pitchers in strikeouts and fifth with 134 victories. He’ll face the Angels next weekend.

Gray was excellent against the Rockies in Coors Field, holding them to one run over seven frames. The lone run came on a solo homer by Willi Castro in the second inning. He scattered five other hits and three walks, limiting damage by punching out 11 batters. The 36-year-old right-hander will take a 2.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and a 66/20 K/BB ratio across 76 1/3 innings into a start against the Yankees in Boston on Sunday.

Homers from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the first and Nathan Lukes in the seventh bookended the outing. Gray allowed six hits, walked one and struck out four. It’s his sixth quality start in his last seven tries, though the Red Sox fell to 9-4 in his starts. He’ll face the Rockies in Coors Field next week, but he still seems like a solid enough play. It’ll be just his second career start there; he allowed one run over seven innings and struck out nine while pitching for the Reds there in 2019.

The Rangers put up three hits on Gray in the first inning, with the first run coming around to score on an RBI single by Wyatt Langford. It would be the only run Gray would allow on the night, as the veteran righty locked in to fire five-straight scoreless frames while allowing just two hits and no free passes. Gray has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight straight starts and has made it through six innings in five of those outings. He remains as reliable an option as any and is scheduled to make his next start on Thursday at home against the Blue Jays.