Crochet and Skubal Trade Scoreless Outings in Cy Young Rematch

The 2025 American League Cy Young rivals continued their dominance on Opening Day 2026.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:03am

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Garrett Crochet of the Boston Red Sox and Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers each pitched six scoreless innings on Opening Day, reminding the baseball world why they are the two most dominant left-handed pitchers in the American League. Crochet struck out eight Reds batters, while Skubal fanned six Padres as the aces traded zeros across time zones in a sequel to their 2025 Cy Young battle.

Why it matters

Crochet and Skubal's continued excellence sets the stage for another epic Cy Young race in 2026, as the two young lefties look to build on their previous accomplishments and cement their status as the premier pitchers in the AL.

The details

Crochet, making his second straight Opening Day start for the Red Sox, was dominant, allowing just three hits and striking out eight Cincinnati Reds batters over six scoreless innings. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth to preserve the scoreless tie. Meanwhile, Skubal matched his rival's performance, tossing six shutout frames of his own against the San Diego Padres while surrendering only two hits and fanning six.

  • Crochet and Skubal made their Opening Day starts on Thursday, March 27, 2026.
  • In 2025, Skubal won the American League Cy Young Award, while Crochet finished as the runner-up.

The players

Garrett Crochet

A dominant left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox who finished as the runner-up in the 2025 American League Cy Young Award voting.

Tarik Skubal

The reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner, who pitches for the Detroit Tigers.

Roman Anthony

A 21-year-old phenom who made his MLB debut for the Red Sox on Opening Day, recording a 110 mph single in his first career at-bat.

Aroldis Chapman

A former Cincinnati Reds legend who closed out the Red Sox's 3-0 win over the Reds on Opening Day with 101 mph heat.

Ceddanne Rafaela

The Red Sox player who provided the go-ahead RBI in the seventh inning of their Opening Day victory.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.