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Red Sox: Five players that will carry Boston back to the Postseason

By Brendan Mizgala

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 5: Bobby Dalbec #29 and Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Sox walk off the field during the fourth inning of a game against the Cleveland Indians on September 5, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 5: Bobby Dalbec #29 and Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Sox walk off the field during the fourth inning of a game against the Cleveland Indians on September 5, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox RHP Nathan Eovaldi
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 14: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 14, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

Red Sox SP: Nathan Eovaldi

What a season it’s been for Nathan Eovaldi up to this point. He’s lived up to every ounce of his nickname and on every fifth day, he’s Nasty as all hell. Eovaldi is in the midst of the best full season of his career and has finally hit the potential of the guy that Dave Dombrowski brought over back in 2018. In fact, the righty has gotten his name tossed into the Cy Young conversation, he may not get many votes, but he’s not making it easy that’s for sure.

When you hear that a guy has undergone two Tommy John Surgeries on top of several other minor procedures to keep his arm from falling off, you don’t really have much faith. Well, Nasty Nate has only gotten better as time has gone by, and with the Wild Card game looming, I believe that he is the favorite to get the ball that night.

BSI’s own Gabrielle Starr and Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez thing we may see a replay of the 2001 World Series with Sale and Eovaldi both hurling in that game. Even in that scenario, I want Nate to get the ball first as he’s more than earned it over these past two years and has the hot hand right now.

Evo has grown into the ace of this staff as the starting rotation has seen massive changes since he arrived three years ago. While 10-8 may not be the prettiest record in the Majors it’s also just a drop in the bucket of what he’s done in 2021. He currently leads the American League in starts (30), FIP (2.72), and HR/9 (0.7) while leading all of MLB in BB/9 (1.7).

Again, at 31 years of age and with two massive surgeries under his belt, he shouldn’t be doing what he’s doing. I love everything I’ve seen from him this year and knowing what he can do when the calendar flips to October, I want him to be at the forefront of this staff for the postseason.

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