Aaron Judge Drops Message For Red Sox Ace Garrett Crochet
The Boston Red Sox took down the New York Yankees on Tuesday night and now are one win away from advancing to the American League Division Series and knocking out their biggest rival in the process.
Boston made it through Tuesday's Game 1 matchup on the back of a historic performance from Garrett Crochet. He got the ball for Boston and delivered with one of the best playoff starts you are ever going to see. Crochet went 7 2/3 innings, struck out 11 batters, and allowed just one earned run and four base hits. He threw 117 pitches and Boston needed every single one of them. There were nerves after Anthony Volpe hit a home run in the in the second innings, but then Crochet proceeded to retire 17 batters in a row afterward to keep Boston in the game and give it enough time to take the lead.
The Red Sox took Game 1
After the game, Yankees superstar Aaron Judge had some massive praise for Crochet and called him the best pitcher in baseball.
"He's the best pitcher in the game," Judge said. "He's going to work all of his pitches. Work a little more offspeed in there early on. We got the Volpe homer but couldn't really get guys on there or do much after that."
That's some big praise coming from the best hitter on the planet. Even in a night in which the Yankees lost and could barely get guys on, Judge went 2-for-4 for New York. Crochet is in just his second season as a full-time starting pitcher and will be right up there with Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers for the American League Cy Young Award this year. It's unclear who will win the award, but it's at least close between these two aces.
Overall this season, Crochet went 18-5 to go along with a 2.59 ERA and 255-to-46 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 205 1/3 innings pitched. He was the ace Boston needed and he showed that in front of the world on Tuesday.
Shocking Move in Cleveland: Joe Flacco Demoted to Dillon Gabriel’s Backup, Shedeur Sanders Stuck as QB3!
The Cleveland Browns have made a stunning decision regarding their quarterback depth chart that has sent shockwaves through the NFL community. According to the team’s latest announcement,
This move comes as a surprise to many fans, especially given Flacco’s crucial role for the Browns last season. When the team was riddled with injuries, the veteran stepped up and proved he could still perform at a high level in clutch moments. With his playoff pedigree and leadership, many assumed Flacco would be the clear choice as the top backup or even challenge for the starting job. Instead, Cleveland has chosen to prioritize its future by elevating Gabriel above the seasoned veteran.
Dillon Gabriel, though relatively unknown to casual fans, has quickly gained attention inside the Browns organization. Known for his mobility, quick release, and fearless playing style, Gabriel represents the new wave of quarterbacks who can extend plays and energize an offense. By making him QB2 over Flacco, the Browns are signaling their belief in Gabriel’s potential to eventually become the face of their offense. However, this gamble also comes with significant risk. Gabriel has yet to be tested at the professional level, and trusting a rookie over an established Super Bowl winner could easily backfire.
Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders continues to sit in the shadow of both Gabriel and Flacco. Despite entering the league with massive hype thanks to his college performances and the legacy of his father, Shedeur has not yet made a significant impact in the NFL. His adjustment to the speed, complexity, and pressure of the professional game is still a work in progress. For now, being listed as the third-string quarterback means his opportunities to prove himself on the field will be extremely limited.
The reaction from the fanbase has been divided. Some see this as a bold but necessary decision, believing the Browns must invest in their future rather than relying on Flacco’s experience. Others argue that pushing aside a battle-tested veteran in favor of a rookie could prove to be a dangerous gamble, especially in a league where stability at quarterback often determines playoff success.
Still, the Browns appear to have a clear strategy: build around Gabriel, use Flacco as a mentor and insurance policy, and give Shedeur Sanders more time to develop quietly behind the scenes
Now, the big question looms: Will this quarterback arrangement propel the Browns toward long-term success, or will it expose them to costly mistakes in the heat of battle? The NFL is unforgiving, and Cleveland’s daring decision could either be remembered as visionary—or as a gamble that went terribly wrong.
