23-Year-Old Rookie Connelly Early to Start Playoff Game for Red Sox

In a surprising decision, the Boston Red Sox have chosen to start 23-year-old rookie pitcher Connelly Early in their winner-take-all Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees on October 3, 2025. This bold move comes as the Red Sox look to advance in the playoffs.

Early, who was drafted by the Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft, has spent the past two years in the minor leagues before being called up in early September 2025. In his MLB debut on September 9, 2025, he tied a Red Sox rookie record by striking out 11 batters in a win over the Oakland Athletics. Over his four starts in September, Early allowed only five earned runs.

Despite his inexperience, the Red Sox are entrusting the young pitcher with the high-pressure task of starting a winner-take-all playoff game against their fierce rivals, the Yankees. According to MLB's Sarah Langs, Early will become the youngest Red Sox pitcher to start a postseason game in over 100 years, with the last being the legendary Babe Ruth in 1916.

If Early can channel Ruth's audacity and deliver a clutch performance, the Red Sox may find themselves in a great position to advance in the playoffs, even with their rookie pitcher's lack of experience in these tense settings.