Eduardo Rodríguez on Boston’s World Series prospects: “We are closer to our goal”
By César Augusto Márquez
Relief pitching requires a whole different mindset than starting.
This is the postseason reality to which Boston’s Venezuelan lefty Eduardo Rodríguez is adjusting. He is content, however, with his postseason role as a reliever. He and the team are of one mind: get the Red Sox to the World Series, a place they haven’t been in the last five years.
Rodríguez was one of four Red Sox pitchers who made more than 20 starts this season. He set career marks in wins this season (13), ERA (3.82) and games (27) while also posting modest improvements in FIP (3.65), WHIP (1.265), and SO9 (10.1), according to Baseball-Reference.com.
The lefthander changed his strategy on the mound this year. Rodríguez made less use of his fastball and threw his breaking pitches to get batters out. According to Fangraphs, 18.3% of his pitches were cut fastballs, while 21% were sliders. This was a change from last year when he used 65.4% fastballs to only 51.9% this season.
“I’ve been working all season to use my breaking pitches more. But deep down I think I’m still the same pitcher,” said the Venezuelan lefty.
Postseason Relief
While he may feel like the same pitcher, his role on the Sox staff has changed this postseason. Rodríguez has only made relief appearances in the playoffs. The role change doesn’t bother him. While starters have four days to plot their strategy against an opponent, Rodríguez has had to work on staying sharp whenever he may be needed.
“Physically and mentally it is a very different job,” told La Vida Baseball. “You always have to be ready and aware of the game situation because you know they could call for you at any time. Although they are two different roles, I am ready to be used however the manager choses. I think everyone on this team has that same desire to win,” he said.
His postseason role doesn’t come as a surprise. After making 23 starts during the regular season, Red Sox manager Alex Cora had Rodríguez pitch in relief for his last four outings. That was one of the benefits of clinching the American League East title early, preparing Rodríguez for his postseason role.
World Series Dreams
Rodríguez had acquired a bit of experience pitching in postseason last year against the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series. He remembers that experience and admits that being in the Championship Series this year raises the possibility of pitching for the first time in a World Series if the Red Sox defeat the Astros.
“It has always been a dream for me to pitch in a World Series. We are working for that goal. This series versus Houston is interesting because they are the defending World Series champions. They have great players. But we are the team that won the most regular season games this year. I think it’s a very even series.”
Rodríguez talked about his change of strategy on the mound and the change in his role on the staff, but how different is it pitching in the postseason?
“I think the fans are more aware, there is more pressure from them, but we also know that we are closer to our goal and that is something exciting. We are all working to win another championship,” Rodríguez said.
We’ll know very soon if all that mental preparedness paid off.
Featured Image: Billie Weiss / Boston Red Sox