Boston Red Sox (97-72) vs Houston Astros (99-69)
Monday, October 18, 2021 at 8:08 pm
RH Jose Urquidy (8.3, 3.62 ERA) faces LH Eduardo Rodgriquez (0-1, 5.40 ERA). Urquidy is making his first playoff appearance. But he has made eight postseason appearances (four starts) at 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA and over his first two seasons, allowing eight earned runs and 21 hits in 25 innings. In two playoff starts against Tampa Bay, Rodgriquez is winless and is 0-1 with 7.02 ERA in 10 career postseason games (three starts). He has put up career worst numbers in ERA (4.74), Whip (1.39), and OBA (.277) this year. In two regular season starts against Houston he went 0-1 with a 11.57 ERA in 9 1/3 innings. And 1-3 with an 8.53 ERA in six career starts against the Astros. The Astros are 4-0 the last four following a loss, 5-2 the last seven vs. LH starters, and 6-2 the last eight overall. Play Houston.