Nathan Eovaldi is Already Looking Like the Ace the Red Sox Need at Spring Training

Red Sox ace Chris Sale showed up to Spring Training as thin as a sheet of paper after suffering from pneumonia prior to his report date. David Price, of course, was sent to Los Angeles in a package with Mookie Betts just three weeks ago.

With no Price and Sale still recovering from his ailment, someone on the Sox needs to step up. And after his latest pitching performance, it looks like the guy will be Nathan Eovaldi.

Unfair second inning for Nate Eovaldi vs the Braves. He struck out the side - Alonso on a curveball, Swanson on a heater, Inciarte on a split. For hitters trying to get their timing, facing a guy already sitting high-90s with a 4-pitch mix in spring is a joke of a task.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) March 1, 2020

Although it's still Spring Training, striking out the side in the form of Atlanta's Yonder Alonso, Dansby Swanson, and Ender Inciarte is no small feat, as they're all established big league hitters.

Eovaldi is no stranger to the big stage. He is a former Yankee who pitched in the bright lights of New York for two seasons, as well as in the 2018 World Series for the victorious Sox, he put up a legendary pitching performance in Game 4 that saw him throw in relief into the 18th inning despite receiving the loss.

SHEESH pic.twitter.com/XQyG1c7fa7
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) March 1, 2020

Hopefully for the Sox, Eovaldi can give them hope for what could end up being a truly difficult upcoming season from a starting pitching perspective.