When the Boston Red Sox acquired Sonny Gray in an offseason deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, they were met with plenty of skepticism about whether or not the 36-year-old veteran could pitch in a big market like Boston after struggling during his time in New York as a member of the Yankees, and whether he could recapture his front-of-the-rotation form this late in his career. Those two questions he answered emphatically, posting one of the best seasons of his career. 

In 29 starts for Boston, Gray posted a 2.72 ERA, the fifth-lowest among qualified American League starters and the eighth-lowest among qualified starters in baseball. In addition to posting the second-lowest ERA of his career, Gray finished the season tied for the league lead in wins with 18. Gray’s career renaissance was especially important in 2026, as the Red Sox lost 2025 American League Cy Young Award runner-up Garrett Crochet to a left shoulder injury on April 26, which ended his regular season. In Crochet’s absence, Gray and rookie Payton Tolle helped carry the Red Sox pitching staff to the third-lowest team ERA in baseball. 

As a result of his career renaissance season, Gray has earned a nod of respect from his peers, being named one of the three finalists for the American League’s Most Outstanding Pitcher at the MLB Players’ Choice Awards. Gray is joined by New York Yankees starter Cam Schlittler and Toronto Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease. No surprises among the trio named finalists, as they could very well be the same three named finalists for the American League Cy Young Award. 

After putting his name on the map with a dominant Game 3 performance against the Red Sox in the 2025 Wild Card series, Schlittler’s second act was somehow better than his postseason performance. In 33 starts for New York, the Walpole, Mass. native posted a 1.95 ERA, the lowest among all qualified American League starters and second-lowest among all qualified starters in the sport. His spectacular sophomore season is likely to earn him the AL Cy Young Award. 

Cease posted an almost equally impressive first season in Toronto. In 29 starts, the 30-year-old right-hander posted a 2.40 ERA, trailing only Schlittler in the American League, and the fourth-lowest mark among all qualified starters in the sport. Cease also continued his run as one of the most prolific strikeout pitchers in the sport, punching out 12.73 batters per nine innings, leading the American League and trailing only Milwaukee Brewers ace and likely National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski for the league lead. 

The MLB Players' Choice Award winners will be announced during the week of Oct. 26. 

With the Red Sox officially in offseason mode, Zach Coe and David Azer are back on the 'Entering Kenmore' Podcast discussing how close Boston is to winning a World Series, offseason needs, and whether or not the 2026 season was successful. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts, or in the YouTube player below: