Fenway Park was the scene of another episode in the eternal rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, but this time the focus was on an individual duel that marked the night: Garrett Whitlock against Aaron Judge. The result was as unexpected as it was overwhelming. The left-handed pitcher once again dominated the Yankees’ star hitter, who struck out three times, bringing his total to six if you count the three he suffered in the previous game on June 7.
Judge, who came in on fire with a .390 average and as a strong MVP candidate, looked unstoppable at this stage of the season. But when he faces Crochet, the story is different. In two games, he has not been able to get a single hit against him. The left-hander’s fastballs, some over 98 miles per hour, left the Yankees’ number 99 paralyzed, who barely managed to react with a solo home run in the ninth inning… when it was already too late.
Boston won 2-1, and although the team is still trying to climb the standings in the American League East, the night served for something else: to make Crochet the new local hero. At just 25 years of age and with a handful of appearances as a starter, he has achieved something that few can boast: to completely dominate one of the most feared hitters in all of MLB.
Social media crowned Crochet as their new “daddy”
Fans were quick to react. As soon as the game was over, Garrett Crochet’s name began to trend, accompanied by a barrage of memes and mockery directed at Judge. Phrases such as “Judge has a new owner” or “Can you say daddy?” dominated X and TikTok, with videos editing Crochet as the Yankees MVP’s “father.”
One of the most viral comments read: “Aaron Judge is already buying flowers for Crochet for Father’s Day,” in reference to the game they will both play on Sunday, June 15, just during that celebration in the U.S.
Beyond the humor, there is a sports analysis behind it: Judge has not been able to adjust his offense when facing pitchers like Crochet, who combine speed, placement and variety. For a power hitter like him, the repetition of strikeouts is not only striking, but also worrisome.
In contrast, Crochet is signing his cover letter to fight for the star starter spot in Boston. In a season where the Red Sox have not shown consistency, his performances are a ray of hope. And if he continues to dominate players of Judge’s caliber, it would not be unusual to see him in the All-Star Game.
Can Judge turn this slump around or does Crochet already have his number?
Although Friday’s home run made up for his night, the numbers don’t lie: six strikeouts in six at-bats against the same pitcher is more than a statistic, it’s a wake-up call. Baseball is a game of adjustments, and now the ball is in Aaron Judge’s court.
On Sunday, they will meet again at Fenway. Whether there will be a rematch or more memes, we will soon find out. What is certain is that Garrett Crochet has already earned a place in the head – and perhaps also in the nightmares – of the Yankees slugger.
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