Ranking the postseason teams
NEW YORK - When it comes to Lucas Giolito's postseason availability, the Red Sox appear to be turning the page.
Talking with the media before Game 1 of his team's best-of-three Wild Card series against the Yankees, Sox manager Alex Cora said that it doesn't appear as though, despite a somewhat encouraging diagnosis on his pitching elbow, Giolito will be an option for any of the postseason.
"It seems like it's not as bad as we thought in the beginning, but we are still gathering information," Cora said. "Hopefully it's just rest, but obviously it doesn't seem like he will be able to pitch in October.
"It's tough. He was one of the best we had. He threw the ball extremely well. It makes me wonder how banged up he was lately, especially with velo and command. It seems like he wasn't on point for a while there. We have other guys who are capable and we just have to continue. Just another obstacle in our journey. But here we are and we have to go."
With no Giolito, Cora said "there's a good chance" the starter for Game 3 (if necessary) would be rookie Connelly Early. Fellow rookie Payton Tolle and newcomer Kyle Harrison are also part of the team's Wild Card roster.
Cora also said that the lineup the Red Sox rolled out in Game 1 against Max Fried is likely to be similar to the Game 2 batting order.