10 MLB Starters Who Struggle in the First Inning

Kyle Kendrick, Philadelphia Phillies

Kyle Kendrick has been one of the most average pitchers in the bigs since he came up in 2007. His career ERA is 4.47, his career WHIP 1.37 and his FIP is too high at 4.63. This year has been a down year for Kendrick with his ERA nearing 5.00, but he has been a consistent part of the Phillies rotations, which is largely part of their awful season.

Although Strasburg has consistently struggled through his career in the first, Kendrick might take the cake this season with his 10.00 ERA in the first frame. His career ERA in the first has risen from a 5.32 to a 6.03 because of this year, and remains his worst inning. His 10 walks in the first are definitely a contributing factor to his 2.07 WHIP in the first. His biggest problem stems from the 46 hits batters have off him in the first, eight leaving the yard. The seven doubles contribute to Kendrick’s problems but he really just has to stop letting hitters get the best of him early because a .371 batting average against and .420 OBP against won’t cut it at any level.