Dire Red Sox injury gives Yankees every reason not to get cute in Wild Card series

Heading into the AL Wild Card series, the pitching matchups for Games 1 and 2 were all but official. Garrett Crochet vs Max Fried were expected to go toe-to-toe in the opener, followed by Brayan Bello vs Carlos Rodón.

But Game 3? The Red Sox likely had Lucas Giolito tabbed for that one as the Yankees decided between Cam Schlittler and Luis Gil (eventually giving the likely nod to Schlittler with how things shook out). In an unexpected turn of events, Boston will now be scrambling if the series makes it that far.

Giolito was the assumed Game 3 starter, but manager Alex Cora just announced the right-hander will not be on the Wild Card roster as he deals with an elbow issue. After Giolito, the Red Sox's rotation gets very suspect.

They released Walker Buehler. Hunter Dobbins went down with a torn ACL. Tanner Houck succumbed to Tommy John surgery. Dustin May, one of their trade deadline acquisitions, is also injured. Connelly Early has been great, but the rookie left-hander has just four starts to his name. Boston called on Jose De Leon for an emergency start for Game 162. Though he delivered ... that is not somebody you pitch in a do-or-die playoff situation.

All the more reason the Yankees need to come ready to take care of business from the jump. No getting cute like the 2020 ALDS. No "playing the matchups" vs Crochet — as we saw in a nightmare lineup prediction from The Athletic on Monday.

Play your best players. Wear the Red Sox down early. In the event this does go to a Game 3, the Yankees will have the advantage.

Yankees get Wild Card series break as Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito suffers injury

Giolito has been excellent for the Red Sox this year in his return from Tommy John surgery. The veteran has a 3.41 ERA, 4.17 FIP and 1.29 FIP in 26 starts and registered 2.1 WAR. He hasn't been perfect, but you can't really ask for more from a guy who didn't pitch at all in 2024.

He pitched so well, in fact, that he triggered a mutual option in his contract that allows him to opt out when free agency arrives. His presence in the rotation definitely had the pitching matchups on a much easier playing field vs the Yankees.

In fact, MLB.com gave the edge to the Red Sox when comparing the two teams' rotations heading into Tuesday's action. Even with Crochet serving as a one-of-a-kind X-factor, he can't pitch in all three games for the Sox. Boston was relying on its top three starters and elite bullpen to get them through this postseason.

This injury doesn't take them out of it by any means, but it's a tough blow that a lesser team would be rattled by. All the more reason for the Yankees to keep their foot on the gas after their impressive September run and not look back for a single second.