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Improved Buchholz, E-Rod could be X-factors
- Updated: October 3, 2016
BOSTON — By late July, Clay Buchholz was just trying to get his ERA below 6.00. A month before that, Eduardo Rodriguez was probably envious of Buchholz. His ERA stood at 8.59 on June 27, causing a return to Triple-A.
The season seemed lost for both of them. For a while, it was. And then suddenly, it wasn’t.
• Postseason schedule | Gear
Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 6 8 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS Gm 2 Oct. 7 4:30 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS Gm 3 Oct. 9 4 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 TBD CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 TBD BOS @ CLE TBS *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Red Sox | Indians • Complete Postseason coverage
Buchholz, one of Boston’s longest-tenured players, and E-Rod, a youngster in the rotation, excelled at the same time every bit as much as they struggled together in the first half.
In the upcoming American League Division Series against the Indians, which starts Thursday (TBS, 8 p.m. ET), both are expected to take the ball, assuming there isn’t a sweep in either direction.
When the series returns to Fenway on Sunday, it could very well be Buchholz in Game 3 and Rodriguez in Game 4.
With the Indians’ rotation hurting due to injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, the recently strong performances of Buchholz and Rodriguez could be separators for the Red Sox.
Call Buchholz and E-Rod the X-factor(s) for Boston in this ALDS. If they do their jobs, the Red Sox could …
