Boston counts on ace left-hander and experienced manager to set October tone
BOSTON, Massachusetts — The Boston Red Sox head into October with a mix of confidence, experience, and pressure. At the heart of their postseason push stands Garrett Crochet — their ace, their anchor, their opening act.
Crochet’s 2025 season makes him an obvious Game 1 starter. He delivered 205⅓ innings, racked up 255 strikeouts, and posted a 2.59 ERA. Through the ups and downs of a long season, he emerged as the arm Boston trusts most to start October on the right foot.
Behind him, Brayan Bello and Payton Tolle share more burden, complemented by veteran depth from Steven Matz and rookie left-hander Connelly Early. The bullpen has been steady down the stretch, with Aroldis Chapman anchoring the ninth inning and a group of relievers ready for high-leverage innings.
On the offensive side, the Red Sox rely on a balanced core. Trevor Story has paced Boston with consistent production. Jarren Duran gives the lineup speed and extra-base potential atop the order. Wilyer Abreu provides left-handed power. And anchoring the middle of the order is Alex Bregman — not just for his bat, but for his October pedigree and steadiness when games tighten.
In the dugout, Alex Cora’s postseason experience adds an intangible edge. He guided Boston to a World Series title in 2018 and has navigated October battles since. His ability to manage matchups and squeeze value from every inning remains one of the Red Sox’s biggest advantages.
The plan is clear: let Crochet carry the burden in Game 1, lean on bullpen strength in subsequent games, and hope the offense delivers timely hits when needed. But as everyone knows in October, the margin for error is slim.
Game 1 Preview
- When: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 — First pitch at 6:08 p.m. ET
- Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
- TV: ESPN
- Probable Pitching Matchup: LHP Garrett Crochet (Red Sox) vs. LHP Max Fried (Yankees)
Boston opens on the road, but with their ace on the mound and their key bats ready, the Red Sox will look to strike first.
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