Potential Wild Card preview
Eovaldi, Cole set to square off to open Yankees series
As they start possibly their most important series of the season, there’s no one the Red Sox would rather have on the mound than Nathan Eovaldi.
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
The Red Sox have a chance to effectively seal a berth in the American League wild card game this weekend with three games against the Yankees, who are two games behind them in the standings. In what should be an electric Friday night at Fenway, Eovaldi will start against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the first game of the series, a matchup of Cy Young contenders in what could be a preview of the A.L. wild card game on Oct. 5.
Alex Cora loves to mention how no one thought the Red Sox would be fighting for a playoff spot this season. In a similar vein, no one thought Eovaldi could have the edge in a matchup against Cole, who owns the richest pitching contract in baseball. Cole has had the better overall season, but Eovaldi’s is certainly comparable. Going into Friday night’s duel, Eovaldi leads the A.L. in Fangraphs’ wins above replacement with a 5.6 fWAR, just ahead of Cole, who has a 5.2 fWAR.
Cole and the Yankees beat Eovaldi and the Red Sox in the All-Stars’ only meeting this season, but that was the rain-shortened six-inning game on July 17 that was interrupted when a fan threw a baseball at Alex Verdugo. Otherwise, Eovaldi has been dominant against the Yankees this season, posting a 2.01 ERA with 34 strikeouts to two walks in five starts. Cole hasn’t been as good against the Red Sox, with a 5.06 ERA in three starts, which includes a 7.20 mark at Fenway.
There’s no telling where the Red Sox might be this season without Eovaldi, who has overcome a rough injury history to be their only starter to make all of his starts. And with the way he’s pitched, he’s put himself in a position to make the most important starts of the season over the next several weeks.
“We’ve been talking about him the whole season in a positive way,” Cora said. “We haven’t talked about him getting hurt or whatever. We’ve been talking about him posting every five days, whenever we need. I mean, he’s becoming a different pitcher. He’s a different guy than the one we traded for in ’18. It’s not only about power and stuff. It’s about pitching and being efficient. … He has done an amazing job. We’ve mentioned that he’s made adjustments in the weight room, in the training room, nutrition-wise. He’s a guy we trust. …
“He has been one of the best pitchers in the American League.”
Arroyo happy to wait
Christian Arroyo returned this week after a long spell on the COVID-19 related injured list, but with the way Jose Iglesias has been playing, he’s likely going to have to wait until October before earning regular playing time again. And that’s just fine with Arroyo.
Iglesias rejoined the Red Sox on Sept. 6 and has become a needed revelation at second base. He’s batting .378 in 14 games and riding a nine-game hitting streak while also playing strong defense at second, where he shifted from shortstop when Xander Bogaerts returned. Cora certainly won’t be taking Iglesias out of the lineup now, but since he’s not eligible to be on the postseason roster, the Red Sox would have to turn to Arroyo or someone else at second if they made the playoffs.
For now, it’s a good problem to have. Iglesias is helping the Red Sox make it to the playoffs, which allows Arroyo time to get his swing back in time for the postseason, when he would be needed. He’s not complaining about it.
“We all know the situation and I’m a team guy,” Arroyo said. “What Jose has done for us has been unparalleled. I love it. I care about winning baseball games. He’s come in and he’s played unbelievable, which I’m pumped (about). For him to come out and be that boost for us when we needed it, that was huge.
“For me, it’s a little bit of both. Iggy’s swinging a hot bat, he’s playing well and nothing’s locked up yet. We’re still trying to get there and trying to get to that spot. Once we get to that spot, then we’ll see where we are from there. I think the idea is to kind of ease into it a little bit, get my at-bats in for the season and be ready to go for the wild card and postseason.”
Odds & ends
Jarren Duran and Jonathan Arauz were both reinstated from the COVID IL on Thursday and sent to Triple-A Worcester. Duran tested positive on Sept. 3, while Arauz experienced symptoms on Sept. 10. Geoff Hartlieb and Yacksel Rios were designated for assignment to make room for Duran and Arauz on the 40-man roster. …
After Eovaldi and Cole square off Friday, Nick Pivetta
is scheduled to face Nestor Cortes on Saturday, and Eduardo Rodriguez will go against Jordan Montgomery
on Sunday night in the Red Sox’ final home game of the season. Chris Sale will pitch Tuesday in Baltimore.