White Sox vs Red Sox Pick: Boston’s Crochet Makes 1st Start After Near No-No (Apr 19)

• Our White Sox vs Red Sox pick looks at one of MLB‘s worst teams, the ChiSox, taking on a potential playoff team, the BoSox
• Garrett Crochet starts for Boston against his former team in his first appearance since his near no-hitter, also against the White Sox
• Chicago starter Shane Smith has been a bright spot for the rebuilding club, having made 3 excellent starts so far in 2025

Chicago’s Smith Has Been Surprisingly Brilliant

The White Sox took Shane Smith in the Rule 5 Draft from the Brewers, and he has been one of the biggest surprises in baseball, if not one of the best pitchers in MLB overall.

He has pitched into the 6th inning in each of his starts, never giving up more than 2 runs in any. Nor has he surrendered a home run yet. Overall, he has thrown 17.2 innings, given up 9 hits, and 4 earned runs. He has a 2.04 ERA.

His last start was against the Red Sox. He held them to 5 hits and 2 runs, both driven in by Trevor Story. Alex Bregman went 2 for 3.

Even though the White Sox are 4-15 and heading for another 105 (110? 115?) loss season, there are some minor positives in addition to Smith. Andrew Benintendi is hitting well, so perhaps they can unload his contract at midseason.

Small things can be positives too.

Crochet Hopes To Dominate His Former Team Again

Apart from a minor blip against the Blue Jays, Garrett Crochet has been as advertised when the Red Sox pried him from the White Sox. Even in that start against Toronto, he only surrendered 1 earned run of the 4 that crossed the plate.

In his last start against these White Sox, he threw 7.1 no-hit innings before the no-no he was flirting with was broken up on a Chase Meidroth single. He walked 1 and struck out 11.

Boston is still waiting for its offense to get into full gear.

Tristan Casas is hitting .172. Cedanne Rafaela is batting .213. Rafael Devers is at .228.

Young phenom Kristian Campbell is hitting .288. Alex Bregman has been excellent, hitting .309 with 4 homers, and a .910 OPS. Story is at .321 with 5 homers.

White Sox vs Red Sox Pick: Crochet and Boston Win a Tight One Over Smith and Chicago

Crochet overwhelmed the White Sox in his last start. He will handle them again. Still, the game will not be a blowout as Smith has been supremely impressive in his own right. The Red Sox will take a close one.