Aaron Judge calls Garrett Crochet a tough matchup ahead of playoffs

The New York Yankees concluded the 2025 regular season with the best record in the American League, thanks to a strong finish that has propelled them into the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years. They are set to face their long-time rivals, the Boston Red Sox, in a wild card playoff series. This series begins with Game 1 scheduled at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, where the Yankees will need to find a way to defeat the formidable left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet, who has proven challenging for them this season. In previous matchups, Crochet displayed exceptional skills, winning all four times he pitched against the Yankees, holding a remarkable 2.90 ERA and striking out 45 batters, including ten against the Yankees' star player Aaron Judge alone. Despite such challenges, Judge is optimistic about facing Crochet once again, expressing admiration for the pitcher's performance this season and eagerly anticipating the matchup. Yankees manager Aaron Boone shares this sentiment of confidence, indicating that while Crochet has had success against the team, the familiarity of their previous encounters may work to the Yankees’ advantage as they look to overcome the Red Sox this time. The ongoing rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox has a storied past, including the controversial defeats the Yankees have faced in recent playoff meetings. The upcoming matchup is not just a battle for progression into the playoffs; it is a moment of significance for both teams. Fans are eager to witness a showdown that might define this chapter of the fierce rivalry. New York players are motivated not just for a win, but also to assert their capability in high-pressure playoff situations, making the atmosphere around their upcoming games highly charged and filled with hope for their fans as they seek to extend their World Series aspirations.