Red Sox continue win streak behind Eduardo Rodriguez
The Boston Red Sox extended their win streak to six games as they took down the Yankees in Yankee Stadium.
The Boston Red Sox earned a series win against the New York Yankees on Saturday afternoon in Yankee Stadium, extending their win streak to six games.
Eduardo Rodriguez returned to the big leagues with a gem, giving up only four hits in seven innings. The only run surrendered by the young lefty was off the bat of Brett Gardner with a solo shot in the third inning.
This was E-Rod’s first major league start since a June 27 outing in Tampa Bay. The Rays smashed Rodriguez for 11 hits and nine earned runs in less than three innings pitched. Today marked a clear improvement since his demotion and recent promotion back to Boston. He will be a huge piece for the Red Sox down the stretch, with the rotation possibly featuring three lefties in October. Though only two games into the second half, the addition of great pitching to a potent offensive attack makes for quality Red Sox baseball.
I find it outstanding that a player like Sandy Leon, coming off of a season in Boston where he hit .185, plays Mr. Offense for the Sox, driving in four of their five runs. Even with the young, big names like Blake Swihart and Christian Vazquez playing his position to open the season, it’s Leon finding the most success in 2016.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | |
| Red Sox | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Yankees | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
I find it just as entertaining to watch Koji Uehara‘s postgame enthusiasm after earning his second consecutive save in Yankee Stadium. The high-fives with teammates like Hanley Ramirez, Sandy Leon, and most excitingly Travis Shaw are truly something to behold. With the 41-year old locking down the ninth inning as he has done in back to back nights, injured closer Craig Kimbrel can take his time. I wouldn’t mind seeing more Uehara celebrations over the coming weeks (or months).
Turning the attention to tomorrow’s game, the brooms should be ready. The Yankees lineup is struggling through the first two matchups, totaling nine hits. The Red Sox salary-based ace David Price (Steven Wright is clearly the best pitcher in Boston) takes his 9-6 record (4.34 ERA) up against Masahiro Tanaka. Price is chasing double digit wins and a confidence boost to take into the dog days of August.
The only improvement needed for the Red Sox heading into tomorrow is the 2-5 hitters in the lineup batting 1-for-17 in today’s game. The Sox cannot rely on the hot bat of Sandy Leon to carry them in close ball games.
Next: Red Sox take down Yanks to start second half
After swinging and missing on my first two predictions, my latest prediction was a hit, and possibly a home run if the Red Sox can break out the brooms tomorrow. It turns out I may have taken it a little too conservative on the risky meter (it was the Yankees after all). Expect a bolder and riskier pick Thursday for my weekly Red Sox Prediction.