Ranking the Three Best Red Sox Starters Right Now

MLB Ranking the Three Best Red Sox Starters Right Now

By Ben Gale

September 3, 2026 • 9:04 AM EDT

Updated 4 hours ago

Ranking the Three Best Red Sox Starters Right Now

If you’re eyeing Boston’s playoff push, the biggest question is simple: who gets the ball to start those crucial Wild Card games? The Red Sox are nearly locked into October baseball, sitting with a 97.1% shot at making the playoffs according to Yahoo Sports. Their odds of actually winning the division are just 0.3%, so wild card is the road ahead.

With that in mind, Boston’s rotation plans aren’t guesswork anymore. The front office is lining up Sonny Gray and Payton Tolle for weekend starts that mesh perfectly with extra rest built into the September schedule. It’s not a secret: Gray and Tolle are the likely aces for Games 1 and 2 if the postseason started today.

But that third starter spot is still up for grabs, and it holds some serious weight. Last year, starting pitching depth determined who got a shot at advancing—and the Sox are staring at some tough choices.

Let’s break down exactly who you can trust if you’re betting on the Sox come October:

Sonny Gray: Boston’s been shuffling the rotation to keep Gray rested and ready. He’s earned the nod for Game 1, and the club’s schedule all but confirms it.
Payton Tolle: Locked in for Game 2, he’s lining up for every start with an extra day off thanks to those September off-days. The Sox want his lefty arm on big stages.
Ranger Suarez: Historically Boston’s best playoff performer with a career 1.48 ERA in October, the club invested $130 million in him last offseason for a reason. But his recent start against the Yankees wasn’t pretty, and that’s why his spot isn’t ironclad.

Where Does the Rotation Go From Here?

The Red Sox have basically shown you their hand. Gray and Tolle are their first-choice arms. Suarez is the natural third option, but doubts are creeping in after his latest performance in a big spot. That leaves the door ajar for some surprising decisions as the month plays out.

Jake Bennett has an outside shot. If he’s solid over the next few weeks, and Suarez doesn’t rebound, the Sox might send a rookie out in a do-or-die game—for the second year running at Yankee Stadium.
Garrett Crochet is another wrinkle. He can’t handle a full starter’s load but could open a playoff game for a couple of innings before the Red Sox go full bullpen mode. That could throw opposing managers off balance and get the most out of Boston’s best arms.

Key developments

The Sox are organizing their September rotation for playoff readiness—expect Gray and Tolle to be fully rested for Game 1 and 2.
Ranger Suarez’s shaky outing against the Yankees has put his Game 3 status in question despite elite playoff numbers historically.
Jake Bennett’s upcoming starts could swing the third starter debate if he impresses down the stretch.
Garrett Crochet offers a creative bullpen-first option for the Red Sox if they want to play matchups in a must-win situation.

Why This Matters for Bettors

The Red Sox are signaling confidence in Gray and Tolle, while the third slot could be a game-by-game decision. This means uncertainty on the mound for Boston could sway moneyline odds, especially late in a series.

If you’re betting on the Sox, Gray and Tolle starts offer more stability—the lines might move the minute Suarez is bumped out or gets the call for Game 3.
Watch for late pitching changes; use September performances as your real guide for postseason prop bets.
If Boston leans on a bullpen game, team total under could have value with so many fresh arms involved early.
Eyes on Suarez—bounce-backs or more struggles could reshape how books view Boston’s pitching in the postseason.
Bennett sneaking into the playoff rotation would add volatility but give huge plus-money props for underdog followers.

Key takeaways

Sonny Gray and Payton Tolle are the likely starters for the Red Sox in Games 1 and 2 if the playoffs started today.
Ranger Suarez, with his proven playoff track record, still has the inside track for Game 3 but is under pressure after a poor outing.
Jake Bennett can play his way into the rotation with strong September performances—keep an eye on his upcoming starts.
Garrett Crochet may be used creatively as an opener or short-outing starter, signaling a bullpen game approach.
The Red Sox’s rotation plans matter for playoff and prop bets, especially with shifting odds based on the third starter’s identity.
September’s performances will determine the true pecking order heading into the Wild Card series.
Bettors should stay alert for last-minute rotation tweaks in the postseason.
Boston’s pitching approach continues to evolve, requiring fast, informed betting decisions.

More coverage: more MLB headlines, MLB analysis and odds and MLB picks and predictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sonny Gray and Payton Tolle have been lined up for the most important starts, making them the top two choices for the postseason rotation right now.

Suarez has an elite playoff ERA, but his recent start against the Yankees has raised questions about his reliability in must-win situations, making his Game 3 status uncertain.

Yes, if Jake Bennett performs well in his upcoming starts and others falter, the Red Sox might give him a shot in the rotation, even though he’s a rookie.

The Red Sox may use Garrett Crochet as an opener for a short outing, then turn to a bullpen game to mix and match arms and leverage favorable matchups.

The built-in off-days let Boston keep their preferred starters on extra rest, ensuring Gray and Tolle are fresh for their postseason appearances.

The uncertainty around the third starter can shift betting lines, especially for Game 3. Watch performances closely for clues about who will get the call.

Boston’s evolving pitching plans mean bettors need to be nimble, watching for last-minute changes and using recent performances as the top predictor for prop and game wagers.