The Boston Red Sox‘s 2026 MLB season came to an abrupt end Wednesday night, and veteran first baseman Willson Contreras did not hold back when discussing the team’s approach following a 9-2 loss to the New York Yankees.
"It's not enough when you have talent, or you have data, or computers that are telling you what to do. This is baseball. The data is here to help us…but you need experience and to bet on the guys to win games."
— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) October 1, 2026
Willson Contreras' thoughts on Sonny Gray exiting in the 5th: pic.twitter.com/gWGkrj6LZw
Contreras’ comments came after manager Chad Tracy pulled Sonny Gray in the fifth inning, a decision that immediately backfired.
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Contreras takes aim at Boston’s reliance on data
Gray had thrown just 70 pitches when Tracy removed him with two outs and runners on first and third in the fifth inning. Gray had allowed one run and struck out five, but Tracy turned to Erik Miller to face Cody Bellinger. Miller promptly allowed an RBI single, extending New York’s lead.
When Contreras was asked about Gray’s early exit, he initially made a gesture indicating that he would not comment. He eventually made his feelings about Boston’s approach much clearer.
“It’s not enough when you have talent, or you have data, or computers that are telling you what to do. This is baseball. The data is here to help us…but you need experience and to bet on the guys to win games.”
The comments appeared to point toward a broader frustration with how Boston makes decisions, rather than simply one pitching change. Contreras also indicated that there was more he wanted to say about the situation but chose not to elaborate further.
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Sonny Gray also questioned the decision
Contreras was not alone in expressing frustration with Gray’s removal. The veteran right-hander openly said he wanted the opportunity to remain in the game and believed he was capable of handling the Yankees for a third time through the lineup.
“I would have liked to have been trusted in that moment,” Gray said after the game.
Gray had gone 18-5 with a 2.72 ERA during the regular season, making the decision to remove him with only 70 pitches particularly notable. The move ultimately did not work, and Boston’s bullpen allowed the Yankees to pull away in the later innings.
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