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3w ago

Red Sox Keep Garrett Crochet as Opening Day Starter Despite Rough Spring, With Polls Touting Strikeout Crown

Team leaders frame his spring as routine work that masks his true form.

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Sep 24, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (35) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Crochet is slated to open the season Thursday in Cincinnati against the Reds as Boston’s confirmed Game 1 starter.
  • He finished camp with a 7.36 ERA over four Grapefruit League starts and only eight strikeouts in 14.2 innings.
  • Manager Alex Cora said he is not concerned, citing workload goals and stating Crochet will be ready for a full season push.
  • Crochet said the line looks worse than it felt, noted atypical spring pitch selection, and sat mid‑90s with the fastball in his final tune‑up.
  • An MLB.com writers poll projects him to lead the AL in strikeouts in 2026, and a Globe prediction tabs him as a Cy Young threat to Tarik Skubal; a separate Opening Day feat since 1886 is reported from a single attribution.