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Boston Red Sox: 3 takeaways from the ALDS

By Jeffrey Stevens

ST PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 08: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a game tying solo home run during the fifth inning of game two of the 2021 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on October 8, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 08: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a game tying solo home run during the fifth inning of game two of the 2021 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on October 8, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox Eduardo Rodriguez
Oct 1, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez had a strong comeback

After a rough go of it in his Game 1 start for the Red Sox, Eduardo Rodriguez was strong on the mound in Game 4. During Game 1 last Thursday, Rodriguez was unable to make it out of the second inning. He allowed two runs on just as many hits with just one strikeout.

In Game 4, Rodriguez was on the mound through five innings. He gave up two runs on three hits, sending six batters back to the dugout on strikes. It was the bounce-back performance he needed heading into the ALCS.

It has been a roller coaster of a season for the lefty, to say the least. There have been moments when he has looked like one of the better pitchers in the majors. But, at other times, you’ve had to question what he was doing in Boston’s starting rotation.

Rodriguez started 31 games during the regular season, pitching 157.2 innings. He allowed 83 earned runs off of 172 hits with 185 strikeouts. He carried a 13-8 record through the regular season with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.

Rodriguez will be a free agent after the season ends. I’ll admit it. After his Game 1 performance, I thought it was safe to say this would be his last season in Boston. Regardless of how this year ends, there will be plenty of expectations for the Sox in 2022. There have been too many instances when he looked like the weakest link in the starting rotation for the Red Sox.

That being said, postseason heroics go a long way, especially with a franchise like Boston. If Rodriguez can put another couple of starts together looking as sharp as he did in Game 4, he might be right back starting home games at Fenway next year. Regardless of where he ends up playing next season, this was a solid bounce back.

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