Edwards on giving up go-ahead homer: "I got a lot of anger in me right now"

Jim Cowsert - USA Today Sports

by Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - Sun Mar 31 09:43:51 GMT-05:00 2019

It was probably not the performance that Carl 'Stringbean' Edwards Jr. wanted for his first appearance of the season.

Edwards Jr. served up a three-run homer by Joey Gallo in the eighth inning as the Rangers won 8-6 over the Cubs on Saturday night.

The 27-year old spoke to the media following the game and was honest about his assessment of his play.

"I just know it wasn't a good pitch at the end of the day," Edwards said. "We will see how the next outing goes. It will probably be up (velocity). I have a lot of anger in me right now. Just put it out there."

Edwards added that adversity can be a good thing.

I start off every year pretty good," he said. "I had a good spring. I didn't face any adversity. Now, it happens in the first game of the year. I think it will be a good test for me going back out there."

Maddon said that he was surprised by the homer being served up by Edwards.

"It was not the Carl we're used to seeing," Maddon said. "It was a great spot for him right there coming off a good camp."

Edwards had his struggles last season late in the season but overall had an impressive 2.60 ERA with 23 holds and 67 strikeouts. He is one of the keys to the bullpen this season for the Cubs because when he is on, he is an electric strikeout artist with a low WHIP.

However, when he is off and giving up homers and walks, the bullpen has some real question marks and it's not even April yet.