Garrett Crochet Delivers Historic Playoff Masterclass, Red Sox Take Game 1

Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet pitched an unforgettable October masterclass in Game 1 of the wild-card round against the Yankees, leading his team to a 3-1 victory. In his first career playoff start, Crochet threw a career-high 117 pitches, surrendering just four hits and striking out 11 hitters across 7 2/3 innings. The only blemish was a solo homer by Anthony Volpe in the second inning, after which Crochet retired the final 17 hitters he faced. He threw his fastest pitch, 100.2 mph, on his 117th and final pitch, getting Austin Wells looking. Manager Alex Cora praised Crochet's desire and faith, sending him back out for the eighth inning at 100 pitches. This performance was historic, marking the most pitches by a starter in a postseason game since Stephen Strasburg in 2019 and the most in a playoff debut since Jacob deGrom in 2016. Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman, playing his 100th career postseason game, lauded Crochet's "big-time" performance. Crochet will not pitch again in this series but is expected to start Game 2 of the ALDS if Boston advances, and he enjoys playing "Clash Royale" in his downtime.