Giolito was the catalyst for Judge’s milestone blast as the Red Sox right-hander yielded the big fly; the night showcased the high-stakes nature of a divisional duel that keeps Boston in the chase.

<p>Lucas Giolito is penciled in as Friday’s starter opposite Luis Gil. His track record suggests a high-strikeout capability and strong innings, which could set a tone for the Sox in a series with major playoff distance at stake.</p>

Giolito enters the market as a veteran with evident upside and a recent club option that could be converted to a longer deal. Teams will weigh durability and the prospect of a mid- to long-term investment, especially in a rotation-starved offseason where volume pays dividends for multi-year planning.

Giolito allowed the Pirates’ early lead with a wild pitch but adjusted in the later innings, shaping the dynamic of a Sox comeback that featured depth and timely hitting.

Giolito’s eight scoreless vs Baltimore, four hits, one walk, eight strikeouts, 12 whiffs (four seamer, five changeup, three slider). First eight-inning scoreless outing since 2020 no-hitter vs Pirates. His performance fuels Boston’s rotation depth and fantasy upside with May Bello Crochet and Chapman in the mix around him.