Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet has been untouchable when the sun is out.
The left-hander has developed a peculiar trend, thriving in day starts with numbers that outpace his already stellar overall performance.
Through 13 day games this season, Crochet has carved a 1.87 ERA with 108 strikeouts and just five homers allowed in 82 innings. At night, he holds a 2.88 ERA and has yielded twice as many long balls.
The gap is striking, even if he dismisses the idea there’s a hidden secret behind it. Pitching coach Andrew Bailey joked that maybe Crochet is a morning person, but the pitcher was quick to brush that off, noting he’s never been one.
The sample sizes are thin enough to be skewed, yet the contrast remains difficult to ignore, as noted by Tim Healey of the Boston Globe.
Story continues below advertisement
That dominance is layered on top of a breakout campaign that has elevated him into the Cy Young discussion.
Drafted as a starter by the Chicago White Sox but used primarily as a reliever early in his career, Crochet shifted to the rotation last year after elbow surgery. He earned an All-Star nod and eventually was traded to Boston, where his performance has only surged.
In his first season with the Red Sox, he has already logged more than 200 strikeouts while leading the American League in innings pitched.
Story continues below advertisement
He has become a fixture atop the rotation, setting the tone in a race that has the club chasing October baseball.
Crochet admits he once wondered if starting would stick.
Now, after answering that question with authority, he has secured his place as one of the game’s best.
Story continues below advertisement