Red Sox: Nathan Eovaldi could be a great third Starter in 2020
The Boston Red Sox were cursed with injuries to their starting rotation in 2019 – can a healthy Nathan Eovaldi live up to his big contract in year two?
Everyone remembers what Red Sox righty Nathan Eovaldi brought to the table against the Dodgers in the first three games of the World Series back in 2018. The following season brought the antithesis of success as injuries hindered his ability to stay on the field for another run at the World Series. Not much went right after 2018.
During the World Series, Eovaldi pitched an inning in each of the first two games following by a masterful six-inning performance in Game 3. Eovaldi allowed two runs, only one of which was earned, on three hits while striking out five and allowing just one walk. He was superb, to say the least. Sox ownership rewarded that performance with a four-year deal worth $68 million dollars going through 2022.
As a Yankee back in 2015, Eovaldi had his best season posting a record of 14-3 with a 4.20 ERA in 154.1 innings while also registering 121 punch outs. Eovaldi has not won 10 games in a season since then.
In parts of two seasons with the Red Sox, Eovaldi has had mixed results going 5-4 in 35 games, 23 of which were starts. He’s registered 118 strikeouts in 121.2 innings of work. 2020 could be his break out campaign and here’s why.
Eovaldi is technically listed 4th on the depth chart as of right now. It’s bound to change to the three-slot as no-one expects Martin Perez to outdo him this season. Perez started the season off with a 7-1 record through his first 11 games with an ERA of 2.95. The funny thing is that he only started the last 8 games of those 11. After May 23rd however, Perez went 3 – 7 and saw his ERA balloon up to 5.12 on September 29th.
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Players locked onto Perez after the 2nd month of the season. As an innings eater and a ground ball pitcher, he’ll get some great work in. Eovaldi, on the other hand, is a flame thrower that overpowers hitters with a devastating fastball mixed in with a slider and curveball. If you don’t believe me, just ask Cody Bellinger.
One team that didn’t pan out too well against him in 2019 was the Yankees when he allowed one unearned on three hits while also striking out six batters in six innings of work. It was after that appearance that the injury bug sidelined Eovaldi until July 22nd, when he made his return in relief. Fans aren’t the only ones hoping that he rebounds in fine fashion this season as ownership needs to see a return on their big investment.
No one expects Eovaldi to outdo Chris Sale who’s got the number one spot locked in and Eduardo Rodriguez locked into the second slot. When we look at the American League East teams, Eovaldi is the best of the 4th option starters on each team and in some cases better than their 3rd man in the rotation. If Eovaldi can stay healthy, there’s no question that he can win 10+ games in 2020.
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Health is the only thing hindering his ability to be an above-average pitcher, and now at the age of 30, he has to prove that he can do it while also earning that lucrative contract. After making his first spring training start just a couple of days ago, Eovaldi allowed two hits over two innings while striking out four. With just a couple of weeks left until the season starts, you can’t fault fans for being just a little optimistic.