Anticipating a fine pitchers duel on a fine afternoon, I asked who had it better than us at the start of today’s game. The answer ended up being Blue Jays fans.
Dylan Cease, in the midst of a season that is going to end with Cy Young votes if not the award itself, held up his end of the bargain. He threatened to throw a perfect game, in fact, not allowing a single Red Sox baserunner until Caleb Durbin walked in the fifth, and ultimately finishing off a virtuoso complete game performance with 12 strikeouts.
Sonny Gray, on the other hand, did not look so great. Remember the Sonny we saw early in season, the guy who, even when he finished with a perfectly cromulent line, struggled to put hitters away? He was back today. In fact, Gray would get to a two-strike count five times in the third inning alone, failing to retire the hitter each time as the Jays plated five runs and effectively ended the game.
We all know how taxed the Red Sox rotation is going to be down the stretch. Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett are going to run up against innings limits. Connelly Early will, too, when he returns. Patrick Sandoval has looked shaky and Brayan Bello continues to mystify. Garrett Crochet’s arm may or may not be attached to his body — team messaging has been inconsistent on this point. If the Sox are going to make the playoffs, they are going to need Sonny Gray and Ranger Suárez to carry them there. Let’s hope this today represents a minor blip in what will otherwise continue to be a strong campaign for Sonny
The Lonely Stud
Alec Gamboa has now made seven appearances for the 2026 Red Sox. He has allowed hits in only three of those, and runs in only two. In throwing four one-run innings today, he saved the bullpen on what could’ve turned into a much uglier day for the Sox. This is the type of performance that could net the Sox an extra W in the week ahead.
Duds
Pretty much everyone else.
Play of the Game
Hey, at least we got yet another Ceddanne web gem.
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