Yankees Seek 1 Win in 4-Game Red Sox Set as Rodón Faces Gray at Fenway

Q: Can Amed Rosario's newfound power crack Sonny Gray and save the Yankees from a humiliating sweep at Fenway?

Yes — Rosario is one of the Yankees’ best chances to change this game, but he is facing a pitcher who has been one of the American League’s toughest run suppressors. Rosario’s power surge looks real, not fluky. In just 17 games this season he has four homers, an .880 OPS and a 138 wRC+, with clear underlying gains from his Driveline work: bat speed up to 74.3 mph, a .578 expected slugging percentage and a 12.2% barrel rate. He has also hit right-handers well this year, posting an .866 OPS against them, which matters against Gray. At Fenway, he has already shown he can drive the ball with authority, including a recent homer over the Green Monster. The matchup is still difficult. Gray is 9-1 with a 2.95 ERA, a 2.61 home ERA at Fenway and has recently regained swing-and-miss form, including an 11-strikeout outing in his last start. Even with a lower season-long strikeout rate, he remains effective because he limits damage and gets ground balls. That is why Boone’s lineup gamble matters: the Yankees are trying to elevate Gray’s pitches, and Rosario’s improved bat speed and loft fit that plan better than many of their current options. So Rosario can absolutely crack Gray, and his profile makes him a legitimate X-factor in avoiding the sweep. But asking one hot bat to rescue an offense that has managed only four runs in the first three games is a big ask. The Yankees likely need Rosario to contribute and Rodón to keep Boston quiet.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 28

New York enters Sunday night trying to salvage one win from the four-game series in Boston after dropping the first three to the Red Sox.
Carlos Rodón gets the start for the Yankees against Sonny Gray, whose ERA ranks among baseball’s top 20 over a 70-inning threshold despite his strikeout rate falling to 21.1% from 26.7% last year.
Aaron Boone shuffled the lineup against the right-hander, moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. into the leadoff spot for the first time this season and using Amed Rosario at DH.
Paul Goldschmidt gets the day off, while Oswaldo Cabrera makes his first start since the ankle injury that ended his 2025 season.
The matchup is set for 7:20 p.m. ET at Fenway Park on Sunday Night Baseball, with Peacock carrying the stream.