 He ended the regular season with a 9–3 record and a 2.84 ERA in 130 innings pitched, and as a result he was a surprise choice to start game four of the 1948 World Series, which was partially due to Boudreau's trust of Gromek, as well as an opportunity to give Bob Feller some rest, as well as the potential series-clinching game five.The Boston Braves countered with Johnny Sain, who had shut out the Indians in game one of the series.Boudreau got the Indians on the board first with a first inning double that scored Dale Mitchell.