Red Sox: Nathan Eovaldi thrives pitching in big moments

Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi is locked in for the postseason

Not every pitcher can handle the pressure of performing on the postseason stage. Boston Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi lives for these moments.

Eovaldi will take the mound for Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The teams split the two games in Tampa Bay but the Red Sox haven’t been getting results from their rotation, with Eduardo Rodriguez and Chris Sale both failing to make it out of the second inning. Eovaldi will be tasked with getting this pitching staff back on track and he appears to be up for the challenge.

You could even say he welcomes the challenge of postseason baseball, based on what he told MLB.com’s Ian Browne.

"“I love it,” said Eovaldi. “It’s my favorite time of the year.”"

Eovaldi stressed the importance of a Game 3 in which the Red Sox have an opportunity to take control of the series. They entered the ALDS as underdogs but after making a statement by smashing the Rays in Game 2, Boston has stolen home-field advantage as the series shifts to Fenway Park.

Now the pressure is on Eovaldi to hold that advantage. While he expects it will be a difficult task against a powerful Rays lineup, Eovaldi loves pitching in these moments.

"“I feel like you’re definitely a little more locked in, you’re more focused,” said Eovaldi. “The energy and the atmosphere, too. Being in the stadium, the fans are locked in from the first pitch on. To be able to battle in those games, it’s a lot of fun. The energy throughout the dugout, everybody’s locked in and contributing.”"

The Red Sox wouldn’t even be in this situation if it weren’t for a strong performance from Eovaldi against the New York Yankees in the Wild Card game. The right-hander tossed 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing only four hits and zero walks while striking out eight.

Eovaldi emerged as a hero during Boston’s championship run in 2018. He allowed only one run over seven innings to defeat the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS to break a 1-1 tie in the series. The Red Sox clinched the series to move on the next day. The Red Sox are now in a very similar situation with Eovaldi starting in Game 3 of a tied series.

The six innings of relief that Eovaldi provided during an 18-inning marathon in the Wold Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers was an unforgettable moment in his career. While he ultimately was tagged with the loss for the lone run he allowed to end the game, grinding through those half dozen innings to save the bullpen for the next game earned him the respect of his teammates and Red Sox Nation.

Eovaldi is 3-1 with a 1.63 ERA, 0.795 WHIP and an 8.00 K/BB in 27 2/3 career postseason innings.

When the Red Sox are in need of a big game pitcher for a crucial game, Eovaldi is the guy they want on the mound. He’s proven that he can handle the spotlight and won’t crumble under pressure. In this best-of-five series, the outcome could put the Red Sox either on the verge of advancing to the next round or on the edge of elimination. With the stakes as high as they have been all year, bet on Nasty Nate to come through with another stellar performance.