Garrett Crochet beats the Yankees, Red Sox win Game 1. New York, October 1, 2025. The Boston Red Sox got off to a flying start, defeating the New York Yankees 3-1 in the first game of the American League (AL) Wild Card Series on Tuesday night. Garrett Crochet’s superb pitching and Masataka Yoshida’s decisive hit played key roles in the victory. With this win, the Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three playoff series and are poised to further strengthen their dominance over the Yankees
Crochette’s impressive performance
Garrett Crochet displayed his talent brilliantly in this game. He allowed only four hits and one run (Anthony Volpe’s home run) in 7 2/3 innings. Crochet struck out 11 batters and allowed no walks. The last of his 117 pitches was clocked at 100.2 mph, the fastest of his career. Crochet’s record against the Yankees this season is 4-0, reflecting his impressive ability against this team.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora praised Crochet, saying, “He absolutely dominated the field. His balls were hitting 97-98 mph, and he didn’t lose speed even in the last inning. It’s a testament to his confidence and tenacity.”
Yoshida’s Decisive Hit
The turning point of the game came in the seventh inning when pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida hit a two-run single off Yankees reliever Luke Weaver. This hit proved crucial in giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. Yoshida lined a fastball to center field, turning the score in Boston’s favor.
Chapman’s Brilliant Closing
The Yankees loaded the bases in the ninth inning and were in scoring position, but Red Sox All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman performed brilliantly against his former team. He struck out Giancarlo Stanton, retired Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a flyout, and ended the game by striking out Trent Grisham on a 101-mph fastball.
Yankees’ Challenges
The game was a disappointing one for the Yankees. Their star slugger, Aaron Judge, praised Crochet, saying, “He’s one of the best pitchers in the game right now. His speed and variety troubled us.” The Yankees’ bullpen, which had an ERA of 4.37 in the regular season, also proved vulnerable in this match. Luke Weaver allowed a run in the seventh inning, before Yoshida’s hit turned the game around.
Anthony Volpe gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead with a home run in the second inning, but his bat remained silent after that. Volpe’s home run was the only run the Yankees could score against Crochet.
Next Match
The second game of the series will be played in the Bronx on Wednesday night. Carlos Rodon (18-9, 3.09 ERA) will pitch for the Yankees, while Brian Bello (11-9, 3.35 ERA) will pitch for the Red Sox. The Yankees will desperately need a win in this game to save their season, while the Red Sox will try to capitalize on this opportunity and win the series.
Red Sox’s Historical Dominance
The rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees is one of baseball’s most exciting and historic rivalries. The Red Sox have a 10-4 record against the Yankees this season. Boston also has a 13-12 record against the Yankees in the postseason, winning nine of their last 10 meetings.
Crochet’s Historic Pitching
Crochet threw 117 pitches in this game, the most by a pitcher in the postseason since Stephen Strasburg (Washington Nationals) in 2019. This achievement has established him as one of the most influential pitchers this season.
Yankees’ Bullpen Weakness
The Yankees’ bullpen has been their biggest weakness this season. Their bullpen, which ranked 23rd out of 30 teams in the regular season, also failed to live up to expectations in this game. Luke Weaver, who had a 1.05 ERA in the first 24 games of the season, failed to return to form after injury. His ERA in his final 40 games was 5.31, and his mistakes in this game played a significant role in the Yankees’ defeat.
Max Fried’s Performance
The Yankees’ Max Fried also pitched well in this game. He allowed four hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings, with six strikeouts. However, he couldn’t avoid giving up runs, and Yoshida’s hit nullified his efforts.
This game was a great start for the Red Sox, with Garrett Crochet’s pitching, Masataka Yoshida’s hitting, and Aroldis Chapman’s closing run leading Boston to victory. On the other hand, the Yankees struggled with weaknesses in their bullpen and a lack of consistency in batting. All eyes are now on Wednesday’s game, where the Yankees will have a chance to make a comeback, and the Red Sox will look to further strengthen their lead.
Keywords: Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, AL Wild Card Series, Masataka Yoshida, Aroldis Chapman, baseball, postseason, pitching, home run.
