Bill Koch

Thursday

Oct 4, 2018 at 9:02 PM

BOSTON — New York’s victory over Oakland in Wednesday’s American League wildcard game also carried significant ramifications for certain members of the Red Sox.

Nathan Eovaldi and Steve Pearce are more likely to play prominent roles against the Yankees than they would have against the Athletics. Boston manager Alex Cora announced Eovaldi would start Game 4 of the A.L. Division Series, if necessary, with his performance to date against New York earning him the nod over Eduardo Rodriguez. A reasonable assumption can be made that Pearce will be deployed at first base or as the designated hitter against J.A. Happ and C.C. Sabathia, two left-handed starting pitchers against whom he’s enjoyed a healthy share of career success.

“We’re very close to deciding where we’re going,” Cora said of his 25-man roster for the ALDS, which must be submitted by Friday. “We have to talk to the players about it. Nathan is scheduled to start Game 4.”

Eovaldi hasn’t allowed an earned run against the Yankees in his 16 innings against them with the Red Sox. He fired eight scoreless frames of three-hit ball in his first start with Boston following his trade from Tampa Bay on July 25. Eovaldi followed up with six scoreless innings at Yankee Stadium barely two weeks ago and surrendered a lone unearned run against New York in the final series of the regular season last weekend.

“I would say it’s the [cut-fastball],” Eovaldi said when asked the secret to his success following a 4-1 win over the Yankees on Aug. 4. “I feel like the cutter, just being able to throw that pitch on any count and how effective it’s been.”

Pearce crushed a grand slam off Happ on Friday, his sixth career homer against his former Toronto teammate. The ability to match up against southpaws from the right side is exactly why Pearce was acquired from the Blue Jays in late June. He’s a combined 23-for-70 with nine home runs, five doubles, eight walks and 21 RBI against Happ and Sabathia in his career.

“To be able to go out there with the guys and play, that’s all you can ask for,” Pearce said. “I’m very fortunate they brought me in here for this situation and I’m embracing it.”

Practice pitchers

Boston conducted an on-field workout for the second straight afternoon on Thursday, and the pitchers used for live batting practice could provide a clue regarding who makes the ALDS roster cut.

Drew Pomeranz, Hector Velazquez and Bobby Poyner squared off with teammates, which would leave them with little rest time into Friday’s Game 1. Velazquez has already been informed by Cora that he will be left off the roster. Ryan Brasier, Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman each threw live batting practice on Wednesday and had the following afternoon off.

“The biggest thing with the postseason is every pitch, every out and every result matters infinitely more,” right-hander Matt Barnes said on Wednesday. “You’re in a five- or a seven-game series as opposed to 162 games.”

Team building

The Red Sox met as a team to watch Wednesday night’s game, as New York cruised to a 7-2 victory over Oakland.

Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton each homered for the Yankees, who took a 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to Judge’s two-run shot and never looked back. The gathering mirrored a team dinner organized by Cora and his staff in Tampa Bay prior to the season opener in March.

“It was very relaxing,” Cora said. “It was great to be around.”

“We have great chemistry on this team,” Pearce said. “Just being around, we had a great time last night and got to watch the start of a baseball game. Just being with everybody and getting ready to go to battle, it’s a good feeling.”

— bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25

Red Sox Journal: Series with Yanks benefits Eovaldi, Pearce

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