Garrett Crochet’s rough start: aberration or cause for concern?

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 13: Garrett Crochet #35 of the Boston Red Sox looks on against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Target Field on April 13, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet is the true definition of an ace: dependable, dominant, and downright terrifying to step into the box against. So… what the hell is going on?

Crochet has been unusually shaky to kickstart the season, allowing nearly as many runs (18) as strikeouts recorded (22) — with those aggressively poor numbers being fueled by an all-time poor outing against the Minnesota Twins on Monday. Crochet got absolutely rocked by one of the least intimidating yet surprisingly productive lineups in baseball, allowing 11 runs in only 1 2/3 innings pitched at Target Field. The Red Sox — who have been around for as long as crayons, airplanes, cellophane, and Australia — have never had someone give up as many runs in so few innings.

It’s not like he’s going to ever be this bad again, but check out his pitching summaries on the season: March 26 @ CIN 6. 0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 R, 8 K April 1 @ HOU 5. 0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 5 R, 7 K April 7 vs.

MIL 6. 1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 R, 7 K April 13 @ MIN 1. 2 IP, 9 H, 10 ER, 11 R, 0 K Good.