Boston Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi held his own against New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom.
If Nathan Eovaldi pitched every game for the Boston Red Sox, they may in fact be an undefeated team. Although just six games in and his second start, that is exactly how the 2020 MLB season has gone thus far.
In the team’s 6-5 victory over the Mets at Citi Field, Eovaldi did his part to help the team avoid a 1-5 start.
With Eduardo Rodriguez battling health issues and the rest of the Red Sox starting rotation struggling just to find the plate, Eovaldi is the one reliable starter the team has and boy has he stepped up over his first two starts of the season.
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Called to the mound on Wednesday night against New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi was challenged to stop the bleeding of a four-game losing streak. And like an ace does, he stepped up and held his own against deGrom, giving up just two runs in five innings.
Most importantly for Red Sox manager Ron Roenicki, Nathan Eovaldi battled on the mound despite not having his best stuff.
"“I didn’t think he was quite as sharp with his stuff as we’ve seen him, but I still thought he battled great,” Roenicke said following the game, via MLB.com. “We’re going against one of the best pitchers in the game, and he kept us right there with him.”"
After allowing the Mets to tie the game 2-2, Eovaldi left the game with his team still in it against a pitcher in Jacob deGrom who came out throwing heat. A pitcher who is tough on any lineup, the Red Sox offense finally exploded once they got in the bullpen.
With four runs in the seventh and eighth inning, the Boston Red Sox got a big win on the road against a good pitcher that may wake them up a little. It certainly gave Nathan Eovaldi a boost despite not personally qualifying for the win.
"“Having a big win against deGrom, it’s a big deal for us,” Eovaldi said. “We were able to rally together.”"
Just six games into the season it was a big deal for a team that has looked like the worst team in baseball through the first five games at Fenway Park. Along with struggling starting pitching and an offense not exactly clicking after they exploded for 13 runs in the first game of the season, the 2020 Boston Red Sox haven’t been giving fans hope.
Nathan Eovaldi, at least for a night, reinstalled hope that this could still be a competitive season for the Sox. That’s why his performance Wednesday night was an amazing one despite not having amazing numbers nor his best stuff.
He battled, he competed and gave his team a chance to come through, which is exactly what the Red Sox did in the 6-5 victory that ended four consecutive games of misery. Now, if only the starters taking the mound behind him can find that same competitive nature.