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Red Sox: Nathan Eovaldi takes himself out of the running for Wild Card start

By Mark Powell

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 23: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox returns to the dugout during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 23, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 23: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox returns to the dugout during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 23, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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It’s just one start, but the Boston Red Sox need to consider playing Chris Sale rather than Nathan Eovaldi in the Wild Card game.

Eovaldi had an opportunity to put his foot down on Friday night, and prove he’s up for the moment. This isn’t 2018 again.

Instead, the veteran strikeout artist lasted just under three innings of work and gave up seven runs in a game the Red Sox could’ve used to cement their stranglehold on the first Wild Card spot. Facing Gerrit Cole at Fenway Park in late September, Eovaldi faced a similar fate to the one he would be tabbed to overcome in the Wild Card game.

And he flopped, miserably.

Boston Red Sox: Chris Sale is healthy, and the ace

The Red Sox remain favorites to host the Wild Card game, as (assuming the score holds) they’ll still have a one-game lead on the Yankees for that spot.

Since his return, Chris Sale has been remarkable, proving yet again he is the unquestioned ace of this pitching staff when healthy. In seven appearances, Sale is 5-0 with a 2.57 ERA. You can’t get more perfect than that.

The Red Sox entered the night with a magic number of seven. Assuming they do host the Wild Card game, Sale Day at Fenway would be the perfect way to announce his comeback full swing.

Yellow jerseys or not, Sale gives the Red Sox the best chance to win a one-game playoff, not Eovaldi.

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