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.