Alex Cora, the Red Sox manager, has officially announced the team's Opening Day starter, and it's a decision that was widely expected. Garrett Crochet, the ace left-hander, will take the mound in Cincinnati for the season opener.
Cora's announcement on Tuesday was a bit of a surprise, as Crochet himself didn't know for sure until the question was posed to him. The exchange between Cora and Crochet was lighthearted, with Crochet expressing his gratitude for the opportunity. This is the second consecutive year Crochet will start the season opener, and he's a strong contender for the American League Cy Young Award once again.
Despite the presence of new additions like Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray, Crochet's performance last season and his potential for this year made him the obvious choice. With a 2.59 ERA and 255 strikeouts in 205.1 innings, he finished as the runner-up for the Cy Young Award and is expected to be a top contender again.
Crochet's reaction to the news was one of excitement and humility. He acknowledged that Cora had hinted at this possibility in the past but remained focused on his goal of making the team. Starting for the Red Sox on Opening Day is a significant achievement, and Crochet is relishing the opportunity to defend his title as the team's ace pitcher.
