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**Summary:**

Garrett Crochet’s dominant performance in his final regular-season start propelled the Red Sox to a 7-1 victory over the Blue Jays, putting them on the cusp of clinching an American League Wild Card spot. Crochet’s stellar outing, backed by a strong offensive showing, highlighted the impact of the trade that brought him to Boston. With a combination of a Red Sox win or an Astros loss, Boston can secure their first playoff berth in four years. Crochet’s performance solidifies his standing as the team’s ace and a Cy Young contender.

**News Article:**

**Crochet’s Dominance Puts Red Sox on Brink of Playoff Berth**

**TORONTO** – A masterful performance by ace left-hander Garrett Crochet has the Boston Red Sox (87-71) on the verge of their first postseason appearance since 2020. Crochet pitched eight strong innings in Wednesday night’s 7-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, setting the stage for a potential Wild Card clinch as early as Thursday.

The Red Sox acquired Crochet from the White Sox at last year’s Winter Meetings, and his performance is paying dividends, as his 18th win of the season, coupled with a Houston Astros loss, has Boston fans dreaming of October baseball. A Red Sox win or another Astros loss will seal the deal.

“Feels good,” Crochet said after the game. “Not at all satisfied though. We’ve still got a lot of games that we intend on playing.”

Crochet allowed just three hits and struck out six, showcasing the form that has made him a leading Cy Young Award contender. His catcher, Carlos Narváez, praised Crochet, calling him a “beast” and a “superstar.”

“He’s making a statement for us,” Narváez said. “We needed this game. And he showed up like a superstar.”

The Red Sox offense backed up Crochet’s pitching, with Masataka Yoshida and Narváez both homering. Manager Alex Cora emphasized the team still needs to finish the job, but acknowledged the significant position Crochet put them in.

“Every five days, it feels like it’s win day,” Cora said. “That’s the reason he’s here. We needed an ace. We got an ace.”

If the Red Sox clinch, Crochet is expected to start Game 1 of the American League Wild Card series next week, fulfilling the promise that prompted Boston to trade for him last winter. For now, Boston waits, anticipating the possibility of celebrating a long-awaited return to the playoffs.

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