Following a day off on Thursday, the Boston Red Sox prepare to face the first-place Houston Astros this weekend at Fenway Park. Manager Alex Cora provided an important pitching update before Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, addressing his strategy for the upcoming series and sharing news about Garrett Crochet’s availability.
Cora Details Pitching Rotation and Crochet’s Rest Period
Contrary to initial expectations, Garrett Crochet will not pitch during the Astros series this weekend. Although Crochet’s next scheduled start might have been Friday, Cora explained that the team is opting to give their ace additional rest after his most recent outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. The decision was prearranged to ensure Crochet remains effective throughout the season.
“Crochet will pitch either Monday or Tuesday. The Red Sox are giving him an extended rest from his start last Saturday. Alex Cora said this was pre planned. TBD on Friday, Buehler Saturday and Giolito on Sunday.” — Ian Browne, MLB.com Reporter
Instead of pitching this weekend, Crochet is expected to return for a start against the Kansas City Royals early next week. Leading the Major Leagues in innings pitched this year with 141 1/3, he is just 4 2/3 innings shy of his career high. This workload management is critical for preserving his health during the season’s demanding final months.
Rotation Decisions and Astros’ Probable Starters
While Cora has yet to announce who will fill Crochet’s spot on Friday’s mound, he confirmed Walker Buehler is slated to pitch on Saturday and Lucas Giolito on Sunday. As for the Astros, they have not publicly named their starting pitchers for the series. If Houston manager Joe Espada follows the regular rotation, Colton Gordon would pitch Friday, Framber Valdez on Saturday, and Jason Alexander on Sunday.
Balancing Immediate Needs With Long-Term Goals
The absence of their top pitcher in such an important series is a setback, but Cora’s approach reflects a focus on the bigger picture. Keeping Crochet rested now is designed to ensure his strength and effectiveness when the Red Sox face critical September and October games. Managing Crochet’s workload is essential to maintaining his performance, especially given his stellar season to date.
Through July, Crochet has been dominant, winning his last five starts and posting a 1.73 ERA. His status as an All-Star and a strong AL Cy Young candidate underscores the importance of this careful management.