Nathan Eovaldi to close
- Thread starter DeadlySplitter
- Start date
Slightly longer story from the Globe. Topped out at 98.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2019/07/18/nathan-eovaldi-solid-first-rehab-outing-pawtucket/YzKH1O5mrYIg9wpNhKd72L/story.html
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2019/07/18/nathan-eovaldi-solid-first-rehab-outing-pawtucket/YzKH1O5mrYIg9wpNhKd72L/story.html
I saw that coming after they had him pitch a second inning the other night. I bet he goes 3 on Wednesday.
The decision making around Eovaldi is indicative of a team in complete disarray.
The decision making around Eovaldi is indicative of a team in complete disarray.
I initially had the same reaction, but there is a logic to this.
Eovaldi was ready to return, but not stretched out. Rather than waiting for him to get stretched out and bringing him up as the fifth starter (by which point they feared the season would be over), they decided to bring him up ASAP as a reliever in hopes that could save the bullpen and the season. Unfortunately, he was not a particularly effective reliever and even Koji in his prime could not have magically fixed Porcello and Cashner, so the season was over anyway.
Now they are going to stretch him out in the majors so he can start for the last month.
Of course, no one with the Red Sox ever said he was going to close. They only said he was going to relieve when he came off the IL. It was the media that ran with the idea that he would close.
Brian Johnson is starting, Cora said last night, Iron Man Nate available behind him.
I'd say "rarely" instead of "never." According to b-ref, he pitched the 9th inning of the 19-3 win over the Yankees on July 25th.
I get why Cora used Eovaldi last night, but all of this back and forth is bad juju. They've got money invested in the guy. Pick a role and have him do it for the rest of the season.
Eovaldi:
“I felt like I was finally getting the hang of the bullpen, but with where we are in the season right now, we need to win every game possible.”
https://nesn.com/2019/08/heres-how-nathan-eovaldi-reacted-to-his-move-back-to-starting-rotation/
Eovaldi:
“I felt like I was finally getting the hang of the bullpen, but with where we are in the season right now, we need to win every game possible.”
https://nesn.com/2019/08/heres-how-nathan-eovaldi-reacted-to-his-move-back-to-starting-rotation/
I think Cora finally has the right mix and is using the bullpen appropriately. It is a band aid approach, but it might work.
The band aids on the starting rotation will be interesting. See who steps up from Pawtucket.
The band aids on the starting rotation will be interesting. See who steps up from Pawtucket.