Will Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet Leapfrog Tigers’ Tarik Skubal For Cy Young?

The Boston Red Sox will send ace Garrett Crochet to the mound Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Chances are it will be the left-hander’s last regular-season start, which means it’s his last chance to stake his claim to the American League Cy Young Award.

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal is considered the favorite to win the award for the second straight season. But the 28-year-old opened the door Tuesday for Crochet with a less-than-stellar start against the Cleveland Guardians.

Skubal took the loss, giving up three runs (one earned) in six innings as the Guardians caught the Tigers in the American League Central with their 5-2 win.

Detroit could send Skubal back to the mound Sunday for the last game of the regular season if the Tigers’ playoff chances are on the line. Or they could save him for the first game of the playoffs if Detroit clinched a postseason berth.

Here’s how Skubal and Crochet match up as of Wednesday morning:

• Wins: Crochet, t-2nd (17); Skubal, t-11th (13)
• ERA: Skubal, 1st (2.21); Crochet, 3rd (2.69)
• Strikeouts: Crochet, 1st (249); Skubal 2nd (241)
• Innings: Crochet, 1st (197.1); Skubal, 2nd (195.1)
• K/9: Crochet, 1st (11.4); Skubal, 2nd (11.1)
• WAR: Skubal, 1st (6.5); Crochet, 4th (5.6)
• WHIP: Skubal, 1st (0.89); Crochet. 7th (1.05)

Crochet is trying to become the first Red Sox pitcher to win the Cy Young Award since Rick Porcello in 2016.

Assuming the Red Sox don’t bring him back on short rest for the regular-season finale on Sunday, and assuming Boston qualifies for the postseason, Crochet is lined up to start Game 1 of the American League Wild Card series.

And how about this? The Red Sox are in second place in the AL Wild Card standings. Boston is three games behind the New York Yankees and one game ahead of, yes, the Tigers.

A playoff opener between Boston and Detroit could mean Crochet and Skubal take the mound to open the postseason.