Crochet, Skubal Trade Shutouts in Cy Young Sequel

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In the 2026 American League Cy Young race, Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet and Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal faced off on Opening Day, each throwing six scoreless innings and reminding the baseball world why they are the two most feared left-handers in the league.

Why it matters

Crochet and Skubal have established themselves as the top pitchers in the American League, with Skubal winning the Cy Young Award in 2025 and Crochet finishing as the runner-up. Their dominant performances on Opening Day set the stage for another season-long battle for the prestigious award.

The details

Crochet, making his second consecutive Opening Day start for the Red Sox, silenced the Cincinnati crowd with six masterful, scoreless frames. He struck out eight batters and allowed just three hits, including a high-leverage escape in the sixth inning where he struck out the side with the bases loaded to preserve a scoreless tie. Meanwhile, Skubal also threw six scoreless innings for the Tigers, showcasing the surgical consistency that earned him the Cy Young Award the previous season.

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

What’s next

The 2026 American League Cy Young race is expected to be another closely contested battle between Crochet and Skubal, with their performances on Opening Day setting the tone for the season.