Tarik Skubal injury opens door for Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet in AL Cy Young race

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The Boston Red Sox’ season under interim manager Chad Tracy has been successful so far, with a record of 6-4 since he took over. They just had a big win against the Detroit Tigers, where it seems the offense is finally getting it together.

Speaking of the Tigers, their two-time Cy Young ace, Tarik Skubal, just underwent surgery to remove bone chips in his throwing arm. Being sidelined for two months allows for the AL Cy Young race to be blown wide open.

This is good for the Sox, since while he’s on the IL and had a rough patch to start the season, they have the 2025 AL Cy Young runner up in Garrett Crochet.

Crochet last year

Last year, Crochet was a monster. He finished with a 18-5 record, a 2.59 ERA, an MLB-leading 255 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.028 in an AL-leading 205 innings pitched. He also led the AL in K/9 with 11.2.

Crochet was the backbone and workhorse of the Red Sox’ rotation last year, as he was the only All-Star that season from it, and was the only one with a sub-3.00 ERA. He was arguably one of the main reasons Boston made the playoffs as well.

Overall, there were only two pitchers in baseball better than him, and he just happened to share a league with one of them in Skubal.

Crochet this year

So far this year, Crochet has been off. He’s gotten together over his past couple starts, but he’s still only posted a 3-3 record, a 6.30 ERA, 37 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.467 over 30 innings pitched.

However, there may be an explanation for this. On April 29th of this season, Crochet was placed on the 15-day IL with left shoulder inflammation, which is his throwing arm. Apparently he was dealing with this since Spring Training, where he was also having a tough time.

Now that he’s had a chance to finally heal, he should go back to his normal self.

Crochet could finally get over the hump

If Crochet can hit the ground running and return to be a Cy Young candidate, he could really have a great shot at winning.

However, there are other contenders as well, with the most notable being Jose Soriano, the flamethrower for the Los Angeles Angels. Though, if Crochet is able to somehow take the Sox from last in the AL East back to the playoffs, there’s no way he can be ignored again.

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