Potential X-Factors for Boston in AL Wildcard
Nathan Eovaldi’s last go around vs the Yankees was not pretty, giving up 7 earned runs in 2.2 innings vs New York. Eovaldi has pitched well vs the Yankees in his career & will need to forget about his last run in with the Yankees to help secure a Wildcard win at home.
During a season which had the Red Sox missing their perennial “Ace” in Chris Sale for half of the year, Eovaldi put together a nice year with Boston showing flashes of his 2018 World Series run.
3-4, 3.64 ERA, 65 K, 8.16 K/9, 1.10 WHIP In 15 games vs NYY
At times the Red Sox bullpen has looked utterly dominant & was in large part of Boston’s success early on in the year when they led the AL East. Garrett Whitlock, a former Yankees draft pick & Adam Ottavino, a former Yankees offseason signee could both prove to be keys to Boston success in the Wildcard series if Eovaldi is unable to go far in his postseason start.
Whitlock 2021 Stats - 73.1 IP, 8-4, 81 K, 1.96 ERA, 241 ERA+, 2.84 FIP, 1.105 WHIP
Garrett Richards is another bullpen arm that could be a major player both in the Wildcard game and in the Divisional round if Boston is able to top New York, see that Richards has seen a resurgence since moving out of the rotation.
Richards - 3.26 ERA, 19 K, 7 ER in August, 3.86 ERA, 15 K, 6 ER in September
In another baseball universe, Rafael Devers is a top MVP candidate in 2021 after putting up another productive year for Boston.
.279/.352/.538/.890, 165 H, 38 HR, 113 RBI in 2021
During Boston’s last series with New York, Devers went down relatively quiet but provided a major swing for the Red Sox after smashing a 3-Run HR vs Gerrit Cole. If history reminds us of anything, that could very well set up Devers for another big swing and or game vs NYY if Gerrit Cole does not have it on the mound vs Boston.
.250/.302/.449/.750 with 68 H, 13 HR, 41 RBI in 71 Games vs NYY in Career