Eduardo Rodriguez originally wasn’t supposed to start Game 4 of the ALDS on Monday. Nick Pivetta was the man penciled in for the start, but that plan blew up when the Red Sox used him for four innings of relief in their Game 3 win a day prior.
So, Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t have much of a choice but to start Rodriguez for the series-clinching Game 4, even if he had just three days rest and was unimpressive in his Game 1 start.
In Thursday’s Game 1, Rodriguez pitched just 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits, two walks, and one strikeout.