Is Boston Red Sox Lefty Beginning to Hit 'Rookie Wall?'
The Red Sox were unable to complete the sweep as home run problems persist for rookie Connelly Early.
Video Transcript
What's up everyone?
Zach Coe here for Roundtable.
It was an electric night at Fenway Park for the Red Sox, first appearance on NBC's edition of Sunday Night Baseball, as Fenway was taken over by the Scottish Tartan Army.
But the Sox were unable to complete the sweep of the Texas Rangers, falling six to four.
It was another rough one for rookie lefty Connelly Early, as he was once again hurt by the home run ball.
Early was given a rude welcome to his 14th start of the season by Texas left fielder Wyatt Langford, who absolutely crushed a center cut first pitch fastball 107 miles an hour over the monster to give Texas a one-nothing lead.
The home run ball would bite again in the second inning.
After allowing a pair of singles to lead off the second, Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka lifted a one-oh changeup just into the glove of a young Scottish fan in the first row of the monster for a three run home run, extending the Texas lead to four.
Obviously, this has, been a recurring problem for Early, who didn't allow a single home run in the first seven starts of his Major League career, but now has allowed 14 in his last 11.
Not only that, with the two Texas home runs on Sunday night, he's allowed more than one home run in four of his last six starts.
Since April 15th, Early's homer per nine of two point oh is the fourth highest in baseball.
Similarly, the walks have began piling up for Early, and his three point five walks per nine rank as the 15th highest in baseball.
Now, some people who dive into the more analytical side of baseball, like myself, would say that this is simply just water finding its level, as Early had been outperforming his expected stats nearly across the board, entering Sunday night's start with an expected ERA of four 56 and a fielding independent pitching of four seven five, while his actual numbers showed a three 30 ERA, meaning that he's benefited greatly from good luck.
It's pretty similar to what we saw from Lucas Giolito last year, and part of the reason why he hung around on the free agent market for so long.
Now, obviously the key difference between those two starters is Giolito is a grizzled vet and Early is a 24-year-old rookie, but it's certainly something to keep an eye on as we move forward through the rest of the season.
Despite the struggles, Early has remained consistent in his preparation, saying that it's been pretty good, so he's going to try to keep that dialed in, hoping that things will turn.
Quote, "Full season is going to be ups and downs, so just how I can respond to that is the biggest thing."
End quote.
Early said that he's been relying on several veterans in the dugout, maintaining a good relationship with the entire Red Sox rotation.
Both he and Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey will have six days to get back to the drawing board for his next start on Saturday night.
He will benefit from one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in baseball, Seattle's T-Mobile Park, where the Red Sox will play the Mariners in a three-game set next weekend.
For now, though, the Red Sox will have Monday off before wrapping up their six-game home stand with a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Peyton Tully will get the start for the Red Sox, while Toronto has yet to name its starter.
First pitch from Fenway set for six 45 on Tuesday night, and let's hope the Tartan Army shows up in full force yet again.
