Red Sox Roundup, Sept 16: Immaculate Innings, Cy Young Race, 2026 Depth

[Talk Sox]

Here is some of the latest Red Sox analysis and history from around the internet. The focus is on Payton Tolle's immaculate inning, the AL Cy Young race, and the team's depth-building success, highlighting Tolle, Schlittler, Misiorowski, Cease, and Guerrero.

• Tolle mimics Pedro in immaculate first inning ... with more smiles (MLB.com). Revisits Red Sox history, linking Tolle's immaculate inning to Martínez's 1999 feat. Both started games with perfect frames, facing elite hitters, with Tolle grinning through the achievement, echoing Martínez's iconic performance.
• Gray makes final Cy Young poll of season (MLB.com). Argues the AL Cy Young race is effectively decided, with Schlittler and Misiorowski leading. Schlittler has a 1.95 ERA, tied with Misiorowski for lowest in MLB, while Cease leads in strikeouts (236) and has a .177 batting average against. Gray, with 17 wins and a 2.76 ERA, is also in the top five.
• Cerullo: A father and son’s immaculate first day at Fenway Park (Boston Herald $$$). Revisits a father’s first day at Fenway with his newborn son, highlighting the rare immaculate inning by Payton Tolle and the unique red K sign used for milestone strikeouts, shared with his father and fellow K Men member Kirk Carapazza.
• The Red Sox took great pains to build depth in the offseason, and the results are paying off (Boston Globe $$$). Argues the Red Sox’ 2026 playoff push succeeded due to depth players like Guerrero and Monasterio, whose contributions were enabled by strategic minor league deals and player development. Key evidence includes Guerrero’s 2.13 ERA in 23 appearances and the team’s emphasis on integrating scouting and development.