Red Sox vs Rockies Preview: Sonny Gray Takes on Coors Field Challenge

The Red Sox roll into Colorado down 31-45 on the season. They just dropped two straight and they're hungry to bounce back. Sonny Gray takes the mound for Boston—a veteran arm with a 3.9 ERA and 19 strikeouts. The Rockies beat them yesterday 3-2 in a wild ninth inning. Colorado's bullpen erupted when McCarthy tripled and three runs scored. Now Boston's pitching staff has to silence that Coors Field magic. You'll want to watch how Gray handles the thin mountain air. This is a must-win game if Boston wants to climb back into contention.

Colorado's pitchers face an uphill battle every single day. Playing at Coors Field means the ball flies farther and faster. The altitude changes everything about how the game moves. The Rockies sit at 31-48, same record as Boston, but they're playing at home. Sean Sullivan starts for Colorado—we don't have his stats yet, but he'll need to be sharp. José Quintana went down with an elbow injury. The Rockies need their bullpen to step up big time. Victor Vodnik is their closer. This is where Colorado's pitchers earn their paychecks.

Boston's roster is banged up. Garrett Crochet, their star pitcher, can't throw yet—shoulder and lat problems. Roman Anthony is dealing with a finger injury but his MRI came back clean. Trevor Story had surgery but he's jogging and swinging off a tee. Isiah Kiner-Falefa won't be ready until at least June 29. Colorado also has bodies in the trainer's room. Brenton Doyle and Jordan Beck start rehab assignments with Triple-A Albuquerque. Both could return next week. When your team is short-handed, every player matters even more. Both squads are fighting through the injury grind.