On September 30, the Boston Red Sox will return to the postseason after missing the mark for three straight seasons. They'll renew their rivalry with the New York Yankees in the Wild Card round, and titans will clash in multiple regards.
Garrett Crochet will start Game 1 for the Red Sox against Aaron Judge and the Yankees — it will be the first playoff start of Crochet's career, but Judge noted that the Yankees will still have to be careful against him.
"He can run up to 100 miles an hour and work all of his pitches in the zone when he needs to. He's a tough matchup, probably why he's, if not one of the best, the best pitcher in the game right now and probably on his way to a Cy Young," Judge said. "It's impressive what he's done so far this year, I look forward to facing him."
Crochet's flowers from Judge are well deserved, especially from such an elite player on the other side of the ball. Crochet may not get the American League Cy Young Award this year, as reigning winner Tarik Skubal likely has it locked up again this year with a 2.21 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 187 ERA+, 241 strikeouts and 33 walks over 195.1 innings.
Aaron Judge praises Garrett Crochet's Cy Young-caliber season ahead of Red Sox-Yankees Wild Card matchup
Aaron Judge says he's looking forward to facing Garrett Crochet:
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) September 28, 2025
"He's a tough matchup, if not one of the best, the best pitcher in the game right now probably on his way to a Cy Young" pic.twitter.com/vKL4HKvIMz
Crochet's season definitely rivals Skubal's, and there could definitely be a Cy Young in his future. Crochet has posted a 2.59 ERA and 1.028 WHIP with an MLB-leading 255 strikeouts in an AL-leading 205.1 innings in his first full season as a starting pitcher.
Against the Yankees, specifically, Crochet has clocked a 3.29 ERA with 39 strikeouts over 27.1 innings. The Red Sox have won every game their ace has started against their arch rivals, and he'll need to maintain that streak into the postseason to give his team the best chance to win, especially without Lucas Giolito on the roster.
It will be hard to limit damage against the Yankees, the best slugging team in the league (.455 slugging percentage as a team). Like Crochet, Judge posted another outstanding season, and he'll be seeking postseason revenge after disappearing last October. He slashed .331/.457/.688 with a staggering 1.145 OPS, 30 doubles, 53 homers and 144 RBI over 152 games.
In the regular season, Crochet bested the Yankees at every turn. But New York has recent playoff experience and a chip on its shoulder from its crushing defeat last year. Crochet has been the Red Sox's undeniable ace and stopper, and the Wild Card round will be the ultimate test against a bitter rival.