Red Sox Urged to Make Surprise Playoff Move on Connelly Early
The Red Sox still need to punch a ticket to the American League playoffs at this point, and while taking two out of three in a weekend series in Tampa Bay was a positive, they’re 85-71, still clinging to a one-game lead over the Astros and Guardians, who are both 84-72.
Boston will close with a three-game series in Toronto starting Tuesday, with the hope that the Blue Jays take their foot off the gas now that they’ve clinched the AL East, followed by a three-game home series against the Tigers–who, at 85-71 and one game ahead of Cleveland as well, are in danger of losing their hold on a playoff spot without a strong finish.
If things shake out in the Red Sox’s favor in the coming days, they will need to quickly assemble their plan for the playoffs, starting next Tuesday. And while there is no doubt that the team will want ace Garrett Crochet to take the ball as many times as possible, ESPN has a radical suggestion for Boston’s potential postseason run: Get rookie Connelly Early into the mix, too.
Red Sox Have Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello and Then …
As things stand, logically, the Red Sox would have Crochet as their Game 1 ace if the schedule allows it. Their second-best pitcher has been Brayan Bello, at 11-8 with a 3.34 ERA and Lucas Giolito has been a clear third (10-4, 3.46).
Early, the lefty called up by Boston to debut this month after a stellar minor-league season, has been impressive, going 1-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 14.1 innings. As ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel sees it, the Red Sox should move Giolito aside and ride with Early in the playoffs.
Getty ImagesFans in centerfield applaud as the 12th and final “K” is put up for pitcher Garrett Crochet #35 of the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 14, 2025 in Boston.
Red Sox Rotation Suggestion
McDaniel wrote of the Red Sox’s pitching approach: “Crochet is very clearly the kind of arm Boston needs to start three times in a seven-game series. Bello has outpitched his underlying metrics all year. … Early has continually beat my expectations, including when I thought (Payton) Tolle was the better of the two Red Sox prospect lefties with a chance to be called up.
“I think starting those three and deploying the other bulk-inning options listed above in a bullpen day (instead of a conventional fourth starter) and/or long relief to take advantage of matchups is likely the best option.”
Connelly Early Over Lucas Giolito?
The logic of using a guy who can get strikeouts in the playoffs is obvious, but still, it would be difficult to bump Giolito from the starting rotation. He was inconsistent early in the year, and had a couple of bumps down the stretch (he called his last start “trash”) but he has strung together some exceptional runs during this season.
Early allowed three runs (two earned) in 4.0 innings on Sunday. He walked two and gave up three runs in the first.
“I just didn’t do a good enough job being in the strike zone from pitch one,” Early said. “Two walks in the first is a tough start, and going down 3-0 is really tough.”
Browns Make Joe Flacco Decision After Beating Packers
The Cleveland Browns made their stance on Joe Flacco clear following a gritty 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Cleveland’s offense sputtered for much of the afternoon, failing to score until late in the fourth quarter. Andre Szmyt broke the drought with a 35-yard field goal at the 3:38 mark, and a Grant Delpit interception set up rookie Quinshon Judkins for a 1-yard touchdown plunge.
Green Bay nearly had the final say, lining up for a potential game-winning kick with under a minute left. But the Browns blocked it, giving Szmyt one more chance. The rookie kicker delivered, drilling a 55-yarder as time expired to secure the dramatic victory.
Despite the win, Flacco’s play remained a central storyline. The 40-year-old struggled to move the offense, finishing 21 of 36 for 142 yards with an interception — his fifth turnover in three games.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged the offensive inconsistency but said he never considered benching Flacco in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel to provide a spark.
“I’m just focusing on doing what I think is best for the team,” Stefanski said of his reasoning to stick with Flacco.
Stefanski emphasized that injuries along the offensive line, particularly at tackle, only magnified the challenges of going up against a stout Packers defensive front.
“That’s a great defense. I’m confident saying that’s a great defense. We had injuries early to our tackles,” Stefanski said. “They made life really hard.”
Browns QB Joe Flacco: ‘It Wasn’t Pretty’
The game was not an offensive showcase. Neither side cracked 230 total yards. Flacco admitted playing in that type of game isn’t easy, but he’s focused on playing his role.
“It’s hard. It’s hard to go out there and play in games like today,” Flacco said. “But that’s what football is sometimes. With the type of defense we have, it’s about going out there and capitalizing on turnovers and not making mistakes. It wasn’t pretty today. It was tough and there were times down the field where guys were open but I just didn’t make it happen. You feel for the group as a whole. Everyone wants to go out there and perform and put up numbers, points, yards, all that stuff. Part of your job as a quarterback is to get that done. But also, your job is to win a football game and play your role.”
The Browns’ offense was showered with boos in the second half as the scoreboard stayed stuck at zero. Even in his 18th season, Flacco acknowledged the noise still gets to him.
“You’re a person. You’re human. It hurts you a little bit and you want to react to it. But you can’t,” Flacco said. “Being a pro and being in this sport, you can’t be that guy. You will not survive. We’re all human and it affects people. But you have to be able to rally, at least fake it, and bring it to life.”
Browns Considered Starting Dillon Gabriel Against Packers
Through three games, Flacco has passed for 631 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. He also had a fumble returned for a touchdown against the Ravens during a 41-17 blowout.
The Browns at least considered making a chance to Gabriel in the week leading up to the Packers game, per Brad Stainbrook.
“Earlier this week, Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees spent much of Monday in meetings weighing whether to hand the job to rookie Dillon Gabriel, per league sources close to the situation,” Stainbrook said. “The staff ultimately decided to stick with Flacco for another week, but the leash is short.”
The Browns head to Detroit next week with a chance to move to .500. Coming off the win, Cleveland will likely continue rolling with Flacco.
