Payton Tolle cites mechanical issues in final Red Sox regular season start

Boston Red Sox rookie pitcher Payton Tolle addressed concerns regarding his velocity during his final regular season start against the Cleveland Guardians. After hitting approximately 97 mph in the first inning, his velocity dropped to around 94 mph by the second. Tolle attributed the dip to mechanical issues, stating, “I think I got very nitpicky. I got trying to be too fine.”

The start comes as the Red Sox prepare for the postseason after securing a Wild Card slot. Tolle, who holds a 9-6 record with a 3.02 ERA, is a key figure in the rotation. If he is selected to start in the upcoming Wild Card series, he would become the youngest Red Sox pitcher to start a postseason game since Babe Ruth in 1918.