The Boston Red Sox have had a roller coaster of a season. A disappointing 10-17 start led to the firing of manager Alex Cora and the promotion of Triple-A manager Chad Tracy to the big leagues. Since then, they’ve been a completely different team. As White Sox fans witnessed firsthand with an 0-7 season series against Boston, they’re a highly talented team that can do some serious damage in the Postseason. And they’re about to get even stronger. Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet, who hasn’t pitched at the big league level since April 25th, could return to the team in a bullpen role for the playoffs.
The bullpen isn’t a role that Crochet is unfamiliar with. When the White Sox first selected him out of Tennessee in 2020, there was no minor league season for Crochet to report to. Instead, he reported to the White Sox taxi squad in Schaumburg for a few weeks, ultimately joining the big league bullpen the same season he was drafted. Crochet pitched in six games as a reliever in 2020, including a playoff game, and returned in the same role in 2021, posting a 2.82 ERA in 54 games and firing 2.1 scoreless in the playoffs. White Sox GM Chris Getz spoke earlier this week about the possibility of Crochet returning for the playoffs as a reliever for Boston.
“He’s become an even better pitcher, clearly”, Getz said. “That could be a significant weapon for them, assuming that health is there and enough of a runway is there for him to build up and be effective.”
Garrett Crochet has set down 16 straight batters 😳#Postseason pic.twitter.com/tbw3RdSU29
— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2025
Garrett Crochet's return makes a strong Red Sox team even scarier in October
Chris Getz knows first hand how good Crochet can be when he’s healthy and locked in. At times this season, it’s already felt like Boston is a team of destiny in 2026. Their lineup is relentless and has been complimented by excellent starting pitching. Their bullpen has been serviceable, and adding an arm like Crochet to the mix for October would really help solidify the group. When looking at potential playoff opponents for the White Sox, I want no part of Boston. They’ve completely dominated the White Sox all season and there’s no reason to believe that wouldn’t continue on the biggest stage.
The White Sox have reaped the rewards from the Garrett Crochet trade, with three of the four pieces involved currently productive players on the big league roster. Kyle Teel staying healthy and Braden Montgomery continuing to develop as a hitter will be important things to look out for in 2027, but it seems like both teams have done pretty well. Crochet nearly won the Cy Young award in 2025, and 2026 certainly hasn’t gone the way he wanted it to, but he still has a chance to make important contributions to the Red Sox this season.
I’m rooting for Crochet to come back healthy and productive, but hopefully the White Sox can get to him if they’re ever forced into that matchup this postseason.
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