Red Sox Eduardo Rodriguez: A sleeper add at starting pitcher

By Bill Pivetz | May 4, 2017

Apr 23, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (52) throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Red Sox starting rotation is solid, which is expected with Chris Sale at the top. Though, Eduardo Rodriguez is doing his fair share and is worth owning.

The Boston Red Sox expected to have the best rotation in baseball with the addition of Chris Sale. He and David Price atop the rotation could have led them to a lot of wins. However, Price hasn’t pitched yet this season. But there is one starting pitcher that has stepped up and is worth adding, and his name is Eduardo Rodriguez.

Rodriguez struggled in his first start, five innings with four earned runs but has pitched to two quality starts in his last two outings. For the season, he has a 2.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 31 strikeouts and 14 walks in 23.1 innings.

In his last start against the Chicago Cubs, Rodriguez pitched six innings and gave up just one run on five hits and two walks while striking out nine. The only run came off a Kris Bryant home run. Other than that long ball, Rodriguez shut down the Cubs.

More from Fantasy Baseball

The 24-year-old is throwing his fastball over 50 percent of the time. This is resulting in some hard contact. Opposing batters have 50 percent medium contact and 34 percent hard contact against Rodriguez this season.

He also has a 50 percent fly ball rate, which could cause some issues in the right (or wrong) stadium. His 16 percent HR/FB rate is the highest of his career. When you pitch against Baltimore, Detroit and Chicago, that will likely happen.

Rodriguez will make his next start on the road against the Minnesota Twins. While he will have to watch out for Miguel Sano, the rest of the Twins offense is not hitting well. The team has a .246/.337/.400 line with 27 home runs and 114 RBI.

Target Field is more of a pitcher’s park this season. It ranks 19th in home runs, 17th in runs scored and 14th in hits. If he can keep the ball down and away, Rodriguez can have another good outing on May 5.

Next: Greg Bird lands on the DL

If he can go seven innings, he can post a double-digit strikeout game. He had nine against the Cubs, so 10 is possible for this game. His next start after this will be against Eric Thames and the Milwaukee Brewers. I would avoid him there in hitter-friendly Miller Park.

Rodriguez is owned in 36.9 percent of ESPN leagues. He’s been added in 10.1 percent of leagues over the last week. He is worth adding for his next start.

Home/Fantasy Baseball