Elvin Rodriguez Set to Start for Brewers in Home Opener
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to give Elvin Rodriguez the ball for their home opener against the Kansas City Royals, and there’s a lot of intrigue surrounding this decision. After a rough opening series against the Yankees, where the Brewers' pitching staff struggled, the team is looking to stabilize things, and Rodriguez has been tapped as the guy to step up.
So, who is Elvin Rodriguez, and what can we expect from him? Well, the 27-year-old right-hander has had an interesting journey. He hasn’t pitched in the MLB since July 2023, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been active. In fact, he spent 2024 pitching in Japan, where he absolutely dominated. Over 88 relief innings, he posted an impressive 1.74 ERA, showing that he still has the ability to get hitters out at a high level. His fastball sits in the 94-95 mph range with a high spin rate, and he complements it well with a solid slider.
Also Read:- The Magic of Studio Ghibli Art in the Age of AI
- Virginia Giuffre Claims She Has Days to Live After Tragic Car Crash
Despite his struggles in the MLB in previous seasons—where he accumulated a 9.55 career ERA—his recent success overseas earned him a deal with the Brewers this offseason. Now, with injuries depleting Milwaukee’s rotation, Rodriguez has a golden opportunity to prove himself.
Manager Pat Murphy has stated that the goal is for Rodriguez to reach around 80 pitches in this start. He was stretched out to 62 pitches in spring training but didn’t get any action in the Brewers' opening series. The expectation is that he will pitch 2-3 innings before the bullpen takes over, essentially serving as an "opener" rather than a traditional starter.
The Royals won’t make it easy, though. They were a playoff team last season and have an explosive offense led by Bobby Witt Jr. and newly acquired second baseman Jonathan India. This game will be a true test for Rodriguez, and if he performs well, it could open the door for more opportunities in Milwaukee’s injury-riddled rotation.
Brewers fans may have hoped to see a more established name start the home opener, but circumstances have led to Rodriguez getting this chance. It’s an exciting moment for him, and it’ll be fascinating to see how he rises to the challenge. Whether he shines or struggles, this start will be a crucial step in his journey back to MLB success.
Read More:
0 Comments