BOSTON — Juan Soto is one of baseball’s most patient hitters. He took it to a new level against the Red Sox on Wednesday night in strange fashion.
The New York Mets star outfielder walked two more times than he’s struck out this season with a .374 OBP. That still doesn’t explain why the bat never left his shoulders in his first two at-bats against Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet.
Soto saw seven pitches in his first two-at-bats with six for strikes. He swung at the first pitch in his third at-bat against Crochet and later struck out swinging three pitches later. While the internet wondered about the approach, Crochet focused on his own.
“Tonight was my first time facing him,” Crochet said. “I’m sure that he just wanted to get a feel for the situation. I’m not really sure what his approach was. For me, I was just focused on executing pitches.”
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The Red Sox lefty had a shortened start with 5 1/3 innings and 85 pitches. He allowed just one run and struck out five hitters, including Soto three times.
“For me, it’s just competing in the strike zone,” Crochet said. “Obviously, he’s a really good hitter. I don’t know his numbers left-on-left, but to get paid that much money, I’d imagine they’re pretty good. I’m just trying to execute as best as possible, especially out there after we were able to tie up the game. Him leading off, that’s a pretty big at-bat. I definitely bear down on that one.”
“Sometimes I’ll have his number, sometimes he’ll have mine,” Crochet added. “That’s just how it works.”
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Boston could not complete the sweep in Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to New York.
Featured image via Eric Canha/Imagn Images
