When Eduardo Rodriguez tossed seven strong innings to lead the Red Sox over the Mariners on April 25, manager Alex Cora had no problem declaring how he felt about his left-hander.
“That’s what aces do,” Cora said.
It was tough to dispute then, but that feels like a long time ago now.
Rodriguez’s return this season after missing 2020 with myocarditis was never expected to go smoothly. It’s predictably been a roller coaster, which began with a dominant spring, then a dead arm that forced him to miss his Opening Day start, a sizzling first four starts, and now, a streak of struggles.
In five starts since April 25, Rodriguez is going through one of the toughest stretches of his career, with a 6.48 ERA and one win in that span. He’s lost three consecutive starts for the first time in his career, and though he’s received little run support, the lefty has certainly seen better days. He lasted just four innings last Sunday in Philadelphia — which broke a streak of 36 starts in a row of at least five innings — and his ERA this season is now 5.06, by far the worst in the Red Sox’ starting rotation.
What’s been Rodriguez’s problem? Though his fastball velocity is slower than it was in 2019, opponents are hitting worse against that pitch than they were two years ago. The root of the issue seems to be with his cutter, which is getting crushed (.429) and Cora believes has looked like a “bad slider” since his start in Texas on May 1.
Sunday’s postponement allowed Rodriguez another day of work, but he’ll face a more imposing lineup in the Astros on Monday in Houston that’ll surely make him pay for his mistakes. But Cora hasn’t lost confidence in his ace, who he thinks isn’t far off from turning a corner. The manager saw some signs at the end of his start against the Phillies and is hopeful he can carry that momentum into Monday’s start.
“The rhythm was better,” Cora said of Rodriguez’s third and fourth innings in Philly. “More locked-in on his mechanics. The pitches, they had better action. Looking forward to him just keep building off of that. He made some adjustments throughout the game. It paid off. … What I saw that day for those two innings, I’m looking forward to this one because I do believe he’s that close.”
‘Perfect day’
Saturday was a memorable day for Cora, who left Boston to go home to Puerto Rico so he could attend his daughter Camila’s high school graduation ceremony.
“It was a perfect day,” Cora said. “We had a blast as a family. It was amazing. For the organization to let me go home, it was perfect. It was perfect.”
Bench coach Will Venable took over to guide the Red Sox to a 3-1 win over the Marlins. Cora said he didn’t watch much of the game, but tuned in late and was impressed with how Venable managed the bullpen to close out the victory.
Taylor turns a corner
After a shaky start to the season in which he posted a 8.68 ERA in April, reliever Josh Taylor has been dominant. Saturday’s shutout inning marked his 12th consecutive appearance without allowing a run, a stretch in which he’s given up five hits, three walks and struck out 12 over nine innings.
Taylor said he hasn’t done much differently. His pitch mix is the same, he’s just locating them better now.
“I’m just executing now,” Taylor said. “I’m not throwing the one pitch way out of the zone that isn’t competitive, it doesn’t get a chance to get a swing. I’m just fine-tuning my pitches and making every one count.” …
Before Sunday’s postponement, J.D. Martinez was out of the lineup after he fouled a pitch off his foot on Saturday. Cora said he just wanted to give Martinez the day to get treatment, so it didn’t seem serious. …
Sunday’s game was rescheduled for June 7 with a 5:10 p.m. first pitch.
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Red Sox Notebook: Eduardo Rodriguez looks to stop recent struggles, Alex Cora cherishes ‘perfect day’ - Boston Herald
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