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Ten reasons to look forward to the 2022 Red Sox season

By Daniel Fox

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his game winning sacrifice fly with teammates in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his game winning sacrifice fly with teammates in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 16: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox delivers during the first inning of game two of the 2021 American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

The electricity of Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi

With Chris Sale sidelined through August and Eduardo Rodriguez struggling to find his grove, the Red Sox desperately needed a starting pitcher to step up. That pitcher was Nathan Eovaldi, a 2018 postseason hero who had previously struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Eovaldi finally put it all together in 2022, staying healthy enough to lead the league in starts and consistent enough to post a sub 4.00 ERA and the lowest walk rate in baseball.

Besides just putting up great numbers, Eovaldi’s stuff makes him highly entertaining to watch. Few starters in baseball can top his fastball velocity, which routinely touches the upper 90s, while his secondary offerings are plus pitches as well. Combine that with elite control, and it’s no wonder why Eovaldi finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting.

There will be a lot less burden on Eovaldi this season, as Sale’s full-season return will slot him back into the number two slot in the rotation. Yet even though he might have lost the ace title, Eovaldi will still be a huge draw for Red Sox fans and a key cog in their championship aspirations.

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