The Boston Red Sox have arrived in New York ahead of their Wild Card series against the New York Yankees, which begins Tuesday night (8:00 p.m. ET). Before taking the field to determine who advances to a divisional-round series against the Tampa Bay Rays, both teams were made available to the media Monday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. 

Here's what you need to know about Red Sox manager Chad Tracy's media availability: 

The big story of Tracy's availability was the announcement of the starting rotation for the series, headlined by 23-year-old rookie Payton Tolle taking the mound in Tuesday's Game 1. Tolle has already established himself as one of baseball's best young arms, putting together a rookie campaign that should see him finish in the top three in American League Rookie of the Year voting. 

Even with Tolle's regular-season success, few, if any, other 23-year-old rookies would be trusted to take the mound in Game 1 of a postseason series in an environment as hostile as Yankee Stadium. 

"Just felt like with his power stuff that was the best choice for Game 1," Tracy said of the decision to start Tolle. "I know his age; I know he's a rookie, but as far as he approaches baseball and big moments, that part won't bother him. He's a pretty special personality... he's just going to go out there and pitch his game regardless of what it is," he continued. 

Tolle has earned the trust and respect of his teammates and coaching staff, and they feel confident in his ability to go head-to-head with the likely American League Cy Young Award winner, Yankees starter Cam Schlittler, which is a real testament to his future as the Red Sox' ace. 

Speaking of Cy Young-caliber pitchers, the 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet traveled with the team to New York after throwing a live bullpen in Ft. Myers on Saturday. Despite being with the team, Crochet's status for the Wild Card round remains up in the air as the team continues to monitor his left shoulder's recovery after each day of work.

In order to activate Crochet, the Red Sox brass will have several questions they'll need to answer: most importantly, how many games would Crochet be available to pitch in? While an arm like Crochet's in the bullpen could be a massive weapon for Tracy, if he can only pitch once in the three-game set, would the roster spot be better served by a pitcher who can give you multiple appearances?

"If we're able to activate [Crochet], obviously he's available, right? But I think beyond that, if we were to use him, the availability- whether that be the next day- would still be contingent on us continuing to evaluate him," Tracy said of Crochet's potential availability. 

With Tyron Guerrero injured and out for at least the first two rounds of the postseason, creating a major hole in the back end of the Boston bullpen, it would be a relative surprise to see Crochet not on the Wild Card roster. 

After a pitch hit him in the hand in Boston's 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Sept. 17, Red Sox All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras cast doubt on his postseason availability after Thursday's series finale against the Cleveland Guardians. However, the 34-year-old returned to the lineup for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chicago Cubs, logging two at-bats as the designated hitter. 

Tracy told reporters that Contreras' inclusion in the lineup as DH was simply to give him some live reps in a game and that, as long as he checks out well after Monday's workouts, the plan was for him to return to first base Tuesday night. 

One of the Red Sox' most underrated moves made ahead of the trade deadline was an under-the-radar deal made with the Atlanta Braves to acquire outfielder Eli White. The 32-year-old was set to serve a crucial role on the postseason roster as the fourth outfielder and pinch-running specialist. However, those plans were cut short when White sustained a torn ligament in his right foot on Sept. 8, requiring surgery that ended his season. 

As a result of White's injury, the door opened for spring-training standout Braiden Ward, who set a Triple-A club record for most stolen bases in a single season, to join the club for his big-league debut as a base-running specialist. 

The 27-year-old is with the club in New York, but Tracy cautioned reporters not to read too much into his presence, as the roster is still being worked through. 

After weeks of discussion about what felt like an inevitable postseason matchup, the two rivals will take the field at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night to kick off the best-of-three series. Tolle (9-6, 3.03 ERA) gets the start for Boston opposite Schlittler (14-6, 1.95 ERA) for New York. First pitch is set for 8:00 p.m. ET. 

Zach Coe and David Azer are back on the 'Entering Kenmore' Podcast, previewing the Red Sox' Wild Card matchup with the Yankees. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts or in the YouTube player below.