Rookie Connelly to Lead Red Sox in Crucial Game 3 Against Yankees
The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are set for a pivotal Game 3 in their American Wild Card series. The matchup will take place at Yankee Stadium, where both teams will rely on rookie pitchers to lead their efforts in this deciding game.
Connelly Early to Start for Red Sox
Following their narrow 4-3 defeat in Game 2, the Red Sox manager, Alex Cora, has announced that 23-year-old Connelly Early will be the starting pitcher for Game 3. Early, who began the season in Double-A, made his Major League debut on September 9, where he distinguished himself by striking out 11 hitters against the Athletics, tying a league record.
- Connelly Early’s season record: 1 win, 2 losses
- ERA: 2.33
- WHIP: 1.086
- Strikeouts: 29
- Walks: 4
In his four starts with the Red Sox, Early has shown promise. Currently, he is set to make a critical fifth start in what is an elimination game for his team, making him the first rookie in MLB history to pitch in a winner-take-all postseason game within 30 days of his debut.
Early’s Performance and Expectations
Despite varying performance lengths, Early’s highest outing was 5.1 innings, achieved against the Athletics. He recently held the Detroit Tigers to just two runs in his final regular season start. Heading into this playoff debut, he expressed excitement about the opportunity.
“It’s going to be really fun. It’s 1-1 now, so it comes down to this game,” Early stated after Game 2.
Yankees Counter with Cam Schlittler
The Yankees will also feature a rookie on the mound, Cam Schlittler from Walpole, Massachusetts. Schlittler, a former Northeastern Husky, made his MLB debut on July 9 and earned a win against the Mariners. His regular season statistics include:
- Record: 4 wins, 3 losses
- ERA: 2.96
- WHIP: 1.219
In his last two starts, Schlittler allowed only one earned run over 12.1 innings. Although he did not face the Red Sox during the regular season, he has shared experiences of growing up as a Red Sox fan and converting his family to Yankees supporters.
Historic Game for Rookies
This matchup marks only the second time in MLB playoff history that two rookies will start a deciding game. The pressure is high, with both teams fully aware that their seasons hinge on the performance of these young pitchers. Early and Schlittler have remained calm amidst the pressure of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, making this game one to watch.
As both teams prepare to battle it out, fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere at Yankee Stadium for this critical playoff game. El-Balad will continue to provide updates as the Red Sox take on the Yankees in this decisive clash.
