Garrett Crochet’s Postseason Focus
Garrett Crochet’s circumstances are notably different now than they were during his last postseason appearance.
Back then, he wasn’t the ace for Boston, nor was he nominated for the American League CY Young Award. He didn’t start in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Yankees either.
In 2020 and 2021, he contributed just three innings from the bullpen for the White Sox.
Fast forward to now, as the Red Sox begin their playoff run in the Bronx on Tuesday, they are turning to Crochet. He’s had remarkable success against the Yankees this season, having silenced them in all four of his starts.
His statistics are certainly noteworthy: a 3.29 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 27¹/₃ innings.
Crochet’s pitching, with speeds in the triple digits and an array of three different fastballs—including a sinker that saw more action in September—has been described as “off the charts” by Max Fried, the Yankees’ Game 1 starter.
If the Yankees can’t figure him out this time around, it might shift the early dynamic of the series significantly.
“I’m going to do my best to treat it as a different start,” Crochet mentioned on Monday. “It’s a big moment for sure, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. The other team has a solid lineup, and that’s pressure enough.”
In his previous four starts against the Yankees, Crochet has secured three wins, pitching six innings in the fourth outing, and giving up just over three runs in nine total outings.
His standout performance came on June 13, when he delivered eight shutout innings, only for Aaron Judge to tie it with a homer in the ninth.
The Yankees, like many teams in the league, struggled to find a consistent approach against him.
Crochet finished the 2025 season with a 2.59 ERA and achieved a career-high of 205¹/₃ innings, managing to avoid the injuries that have hampered him in the past. He has emerged as the latest ace for the Red Sox.
Manager Alex Cora stated, “He was the guy who kept the winning streak alive, and he was pivotal in stopping the losing one.”
Yet, his upcoming challenge lies in performing on the postseason stage, where others have faltered.
Aaron Boone emphasized the importance of Cotton’s deception and speed, highlighting “the ability to place the ball accurately” as crucial for success beyond the regular season.
As for the Yankees, facing Crochet early could set a significant tone for them as they try to navigate the challenges of October.
“He executes very well,” noted Paul Goldschmidt, who holds a 15-2 record against Crochet. “When he makes a mistake, you have to capitalize. You must put the ball in play, and he doesn’t make many mistakes, so don’t foul it off or take it.”
