Eduardo Rodriguez has lowered his ERA to 2.48 with eight shutout innings against the Pirates Wednesday, a feat that has left even the most seasoned observers stunned.
Eduardo Rodriguez is no stranger to success on the mound, having signed an $80 million contract in the past. However, after consecutive seasons with an ERA north of 5.00 as he heads into his mid-30s, many thought this kind of season was unlikely from him.
Rodriguez's impressive performance against the Pirates, who boast the third-best offense in baseball, is a testament to his skill. The Diamondbacks defense is also outperforming their FIP by 0.21 runs total, which is a significant gap, but it doesn't explain Rodriguez's exceptional performance.
The best explanation for Rodriguez's success is that he's simply pitching well, locating his pitches in the right spots often enough to limit damage on contact. However, this doesn't show up in his xERA, which accounts for the quality of contact a pitcher allows, and he entered Wednesday's start with a 4.99 xERA, the worst of his ERA estimators.
Rodriguez's peripherals suggest that he should not be outperforming his ERA by such a huge margin. However, the numbers don't lie – he's currently outperforming his peripherals, and that's a rare occurrence.
The Diamondbacks' manager Torey Lovullo has mentioned that several pitchers will feature in the ninth, but Rodriguez's success will likely fall apart at some point. When it does, you'd better be prepared to drop him immediately, as this is wholly unsustainable.
Rodriguez's performance has sparked interest in other players, including Kade Anderson, who is back from a brief break and is on the verge of the majors. However, it remains to be seen whether Rodriguez's success will continue, or if it will be a flash in the pan.
Rodriguez's ERA has dropped to 2.48, making him one of the top pitchers in the league. His next performance will be crucial in determining whether his success is sustainable or just a temporary blip.
Source: CBS