Red Sox Ace Crochet Named Opening Day Starter

Video captures the moment Garrett Crochet learned he will take the mound for Boston on March 26 against the Reds.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In a no-frills announcement on the first day of Spring Training, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora casually informed pitcher Garrett Crochet that he will be the team's Opening Day starter against the Cincinnati Reds on March 26. The video of the moment quickly went viral, capturing the organizational clarity and urgency the Red Sox are embracing as they aim to capture their 10th World Series title in franchise history.

Why it matters

The early declaration of Crochet as the Opening Day starter signals the Red Sox's trust in the 26-year-old left-hander, who finished second in American League Cy Young voting last season. It also reflects Boston's belief that Crochet can handle the pressure of championship-level expectations as the club looks to return to the World Series for the first time since 2018.

The details

Crochet earned the Opening Day nod after a dominant 2025 season in which he posted a 2.59 ERA and eclipsed 250 strikeouts. The Red Sox acquired him in December 2024 and immediately viewed him as the centerpiece of their pitching staff. The blunt delivery and timing of the announcement reflect a focused clubhouse, with preparation taking precedence over pageantry as Boston aims to set the tone for the season from the very first pitch.

  • The announcement came on the first day of Red Sox Spring Training on February 10, 2026.
  • Crochet is scheduled to take the mound against the Cincinnati Reds on March 26, 2026, for Opening Day.

The players

Garrett Crochet

A 26-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox who finished second in American League Cy Young voting in 2025 after posting a 2.59 ERA and eclipsing 250 strikeouts.

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox, who casually informed Crochet that he would be the team's Opening Day starter in a video that quickly went viral.

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What they’re saying

“He'll start in Cincinnati for game one. … Let's get that [stuff] over with.”

— Alex Cora, Manager, Boston Red Sox (Twitter)

What’s next

The Red Sox will continue their Spring Training preparations, with Crochet expected to take the mound on Opening Day against the Cincinnati Reds on March 26, 2026.

The takeaway

The Red Sox's swift and businesslike announcement of Crochet as their Opening Day starter reflects the organization's clarity of vision and urgency to return to the World Series for the first time since 2018. By establishing Crochet as the clear ace of their rotation early in Spring Training, the Red Sox have set the tone for a results-driven 2026 campaign.