Nathan Eovaldi wanted to pitch in Game 4 after legendary performance
Nathan Eovaldi is earning his place in Boston Red Sox lore as each day passes.
Eovaldi pitched in relief in Games 1 and 2 of the World Series in Boston, throwing two scoreless innings. If that weren’t enough, the potential Game 4 starter came out of the bullpen during the marathon Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and threw 97 pitches over six-plus innings. He had held the Dodgers scoreless from the 14th inning through the 17th inning before allowing a walk-off solo home run to Max Muncy in the 18th. That was just the third hit and first earned run he allowed (he gave up an unearned run in the 13th).
Despite pitching more than anyone in the game other than Dodgers starter Walker Buehler, Eovaldi still wanted to pitch in Saturday’s Game 4, according to Red Sox reporter Chris Mason.
Alex Cora: "I saw (Nate Eovaldi) this morning and he was telling people he's ready to go. I'm like, 'Your agent is going to kill me.'"
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) October 27, 2018
Eovaldi earned recognition and praise from all sides, as several Dodgers noted his special performance.
Clayton Kershaw on Nathan Eovaldi: "Impressive… He's freakishly strong, obviously has an incredible arm. To be able to do that says a lot about him."
— Jason Mastrodonato (@JMastrodonato) October 27, 2018
Chris Sale on Eovaldi: "That's everything you want in a ballplayer… I'll never forget what he did."
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) October 27, 2018
The Red Sox seem to be taking a great team mentality on the whole; Chris Sale, Rick Porcello and David Price all offered to start in Game 4 despite two of them having pitched in Game 3.