The Boston Red Sox have a wild-card spot to fill, and lefty Garrett Crochet might be the final piece. He missed most of the season with a shoulder issue, but he is back throwing now. The team needs help against the Yankees, and Crochet brings huge strikeout power. If he gets the call, the bullpen looks much stronger for the best-of-three series starting Tuesday.
Crochet’s Race Against Time
Crochet has not pitched in a real game since late April. He spent months fixing his rotator cuff and building his arm back up. This was a long road that took way more time than he planned. He threw live batting practice in Fort Myers on Saturday to show he is ready. “It was good. Been feeling good.” Crochet remarked regarding his most recent session that it now comes down to whether anyone sides with him.
Manager Chad Tracy sounds open to using him as a reliever if he stays sharp. The team knows Crochet worked hard to get back on the mound. He delivered live batting practice and emerged from it in good shape, he stated once more. Tracy told reporters per MLB.com Red Sox that we will determine if we can focus on making such choices by the end of the workout.
The Rotation Is Set
While Crochet fights for a bullpen spot, the starting rotation is already locked in. Payton Tolle will start Game 1 against Yankees ace Cam Schlittler. The rookie has a 3.03 ERA and 171 strikeouts this year, according to Reuters. He also owns the Yankees, holding a 0.69 ERA in two starts against them. Sonny Gray will start game 2, with Ranger Suarez lined up for Game 3 if necessary.
Gray has been great in his first year with Boston, posting a 2.72 ERA. Suarez brings playoff experience from his time with the Phillies. The Red Sox have the arms to match up with New York in a way they did not last year. “I just feel like we’re pretty confident in who he is as a pitcher and what he brings to the table, regardless of who he’s facing,” Tracy said of Tolle per Yahoo Sports.
A Big Question for the Bullpen
Even if Crochet makes the roster, one big question remains. Can he throw more than once in this short series? The team needs to be careful with his arm after such a long layoff. Tracy admitted this is still a work in progress. “I think the answer to that is up in the air,” said Tracy. Naturally, he is available if we manage to activate Garrett and choose to proceed with that plan.
The Red Sox will evaluate Crochet every single day leading up to the first pitch. He knows he gave his all to get this far. “It was obviously a lot longer than I expected.” Crochet noted that he has been working hard to give himself a real shot, which he believes he accomplished. Now the wait is over, and the roster announcement comes Tuesday.
