World Series Game Four turning points: Dodgers bullpen woes

Entering the sixth, Rodriguez had allowed just two singles, walked just one, and was pitching a shutout. So, however, was his mound opponent, making every nuance of performance critical. Rodriguez hit the first batter, David Freese, struck out Max Muncy, but gave up a double to Justin Turner that left runners at second and third with one out.

At that point, Cora’s options involved relieving Rodriguez with right-hander Joe Kelly and hoping he could retire Manny Machado, presumably then walking left-hander Cody Bellinger and gambling that Kelly could retire Yasiel Puig to end the inning.

Puig’s season numbers, however, suggest that he is a far better hitter against right-handers than left-handers, so Cora opted to stay with Rodriguez, walk Machado and hope to get a double play ball out of Bellinger. The strategy nearly worked; Bellinger bounced sharply to Steve Pearce at first, who threw home for an out. But Christian Vazquez’s return throw to first hit the speedy Bellinger and caromed into right field, allowing Turner to score.

With Puig coming up, Cora might still have lifted Rodriguez for Kelly or Matt Barnes, who was also getting ready. But conscious of Puig’s dramatic reverse splits, he gambled on Rodriguez, who grooved a fastball that Puig sent on a three-run ride.