Mastrodonato: Nathan Eovaldi’s complete game proof that Red Sox need to ride their starting pitchers
The Red Sox have now accomplished something no other team has thus far this year. The same team that seemed determined to remove its starting pitchers before facing a lineup a third time is suddenly letting their starting pitchers dig deep. Nathan Eovaldi tossed a complete game on Saturday as the Sox knocked off the Orioles 5-3 in the first of a two-game slate at Fenway Park. It was the only complete game of Eovalid’s career, a remarkable feat considering he’s 32 years old and has made 211 big league starts. In doing so, Eovaldi joined Nick Pivetta as the only two Sox pitchers to throw complete games this year. How many other teams across MLB have more than one starter who has thrown a complete game this year? Zero. The Sox are the only team to have teammates with complete games in 2022.
“It definitely meant a lot to me, especially with how much we’ve been using the bullpen lately and how much they’ve been throwing,” Eovaldi said. The fact is, Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t have much of a choice. The Sox’ best right-handed reliever, Hansel Robles, was placed on the 15-day injured list with back spasms on Saturday morning. Their best left-handed reliever, Matt Strahm, saw his ERA jump from 1.88 to 3.68 after allowing five runs in a blown save on Friday night. It was the Sox’ MLB-worst 11th blown save of the season. They have no closer. Their relievers have no set roles.
