To manage the starting rotation workload and line up the rotation for the playoffs, the Boston Red Sox are turning to Brayan Bello to start Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Whether the Red Sox go with Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, or Payton Tolle, the team will feel very good about its chances of winning. However, if the team gets swept, it risks leaving an incredible arm on the bench. 

Let's take a look at the argument for each of the trio to get the ball in game one: 

The 36-year-old veteran has inarguably been the Red Sox' best starter in 2026. After entering the season with questions about how effective he could be late in his career, Gray has passed every test with flying colors. In 28 starts, Gray has posted a 2.82 ERA, the eighth-lowest mark in the league, while the Red Sox have gone 20-8 on his start days. 

Most importantly, even when he doesn't have his best stuff, he has done well to limit damage; of his 28 starts, he has allowed more than three runs on four occasions. In two starts against the New York Yankees in 2026, Gray has allowed only three earned runs on nine hits, while striking out 12 and walking only four. In his career, Gray has a solid record of playoff success, posting a 3.26 ERA in 30.1 innings. 

However, when it comes to elite strikeout stuff that can completely shut down a lineup, Gray lacks that, posting a rather pedestrian strikeouts per nine innings of 8.06, which ranks 30th out of 48 qualified starters. 

Still though, Gray appears to be the most obvious choice to get the start in game one.

The Red Sox' most difficult decision with their postseason rotation may be the one they have to make with Suarez. The 30-year-old All-Star signed a five-year, $130-million deal with the Red Sox in the offseason, in part because he posted an impressive 1.48 ERA over 42.2 innings with the Philadelphia Phillies. 

However, of the trio in consideration, Suarez has been the shakiest since the All-Star break, posting a 3.46 ERA in his last 10 starts. However, the three-time All-Star has been better lately, allowing only two earned runs in 19.2 innings across three starts. Suarez has struggled against the Yankees in three starts in 2026, allowing 11 runs on 20 hits for a 6.06 ERA. 

Still, it seems unlikely the team would risk leaving its $130 million investment on the sidelines for a playoff series. 

The 23-year-old rookie has been Boston's best starter since the All-Star break. In his last 10 starts, Tolle has posted a 2.90 ERA while striking out 12.05 batters per nine innings, the fifth-highest mark among 93 pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched. 

Tolle has also performed incredibly well against the Yankees, allowing only one earned run on four hits while striking out 18 and walking only four. Tolle is also the only pitcher on the Boston staff with the electric stuff that could match New York ace Cam Schlittler in shutting down the lineup. 

While it certainly may seem risky to some to give a 23-year-old rookie the ball in game one in Yankee Stadium, how can you risk not throwing him at all? 

With their magic number down to two, the Red Sox will look to win a series against the likely American League East champion Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon. Brayan Bello (6-7, 4.74 ERA) will get the start for Boston opposite Freddy Peralta (9-11, 4.67 ERA) will start for Tampa. First pitch from Tropicana Field is set for 4:10 p.m. ET.