Garrett Crochet has swiftly established himself as a key presence in the Boston Red Sox clubhouse. As the Red Sox prepare to face the New York Yankees in the Wild Card Series, Crochet will be the starting pitcher for Game 1, following a stellar regular season where he notched an MLB-leading 251 strikeouts.
Demonstrating his leadership off the field, Crochet made an unanticipated adjustment to the team’s travel dress code for their trip to New York. Manager Alex Cora revealed that Crochet took the initiative to change the attire from casual to business casual, persuading his teammates to align with his vision of a focused and respectful approach to this crucial playoff series.
Crochet, reflecting on his past playoff experiences with the Chicago White Sox in 2020 and 2021, understands the gravity of the moment for some of his teammates. He emphasized the importance of approaching this opportunity with the seriousness it warrants, commenting, “This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some guys on this team. So I think that we should treat it with the dignity that it deserves.”
Since joining the Red Sox, Crochet has been recognized for his dedication and work ethic, drawing comparisons to other team leaders like Alex Bregman. Cora remarked on Crochet’s influence during spring training, highlighting his commitment to excellence and his impact on team dynamics.
As the Red Sox aim for a victory, Crochet’s leadership and pitching prowess will be pivotal in setting the tone for the series. The first pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 6:08 p.m. ET on ESPN.