The Boston Red Sox shocked everyone on Monday by announcing that starting pitcher Lucas Giolito won't be available for the upcoming American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees. Giolito has been Boston's second-best starting pitcher in 2025, and his absence in a three-game series is a game-changer.
But as Boston fans reacted with understandable negativity to the Giolito news, not enough optimism arose about Giolito's obvious replacement, who has been tremendous so far in 2025.
With Garrett Crochet and (presumably) Brayan Bello locked in as Boston's starters for Game 1 and Game 2 at Yankee Stadium, Boston's obvious option to replace Giolito for a Game 3 start (if necessary) is 23-year-old rookie left-hander Connelly Early.