10 MLB Starters Who Struggle in the First Inning

Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants

It’s no secret that Tim Lincecum hasn’t been the same pitcher he was from 2008-2011, when he had a 2.81 ERA and FIP, 1.17 WHIP and 10.0 K/9. Since 2012, Lincecum has a 4.73 ERA, 4.02 FIP, 1.395 WHIP and 8.7 K/9, along with his fastball steadily declining to 89.7 this year. The Freak has a lot to figure out with his pitching, and one component may be how he begins a game.

Lincecum’s career first inning ERA is a 4.02, his only ERA over 3.85 until you get to the ninth inning. This year, the former Washington Husky has an 8.31 ERA, .294 opponent’s average and a .410 OBP. While the ERA may seem to be the most alarming number, the gap between Lincecum’s opponent’s average and OBP needs to be looked at more. Over his 26 innings in the first, Lincecum has walked 20 batters, the most of any pitchers in the league. Clearly control is an issue, but on that same hand, Lincecum also has 21 strikeouts in the first, so his inconsistency is prevalent in the first.

On top of the horrific walks total, Lincecum has given up seven doubles, four triples and six home runs in the first. It’s almost as if it’s a wiffle ball game for him in the first inning, with everyone getting a crack at exposing his control problem. Lincecum has other spots in the game where he has a lot of trouble (none like the first), but if he is able to cut a lot of what he does in the first inning, then he might find himself closer to the two-time Cy Young award-winning pitcher he used to be.