Four hours prior to the start of Friday’s home opener against the Cardinals, the Red Sox formalized a development that should put them on solid footing well into the future. There’s no better way for a baseball team to set a tone than with a true ace.

Outtakes: The new Red Sox No. 1 starter pitched like an ace. The Bruins are missing the point and an old man complains that things aren't like they used to be.

Crochet is now under team control through 2031. The Red Sox have several other young players who could also be in-line for new deals.