Nathan Eovaldi gets the call for Game 3

NEW YORK — Much to the consternation of some, the Red Sox eschewed the perceived need for bullpen help and opted to add starting pitching ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

The ultimate wisdom of that decision is in the process of being tested here in October. Boston’s relievers have staggered their way through the first two games of the American League Division Series against the Yankees, but the pitcher they acquired will take the ball for Monday’s [...]

NEW YORK — Much to the consternation of some, the Red Sox eschewed the perceived need for bullpen help and opted to add starting pitching ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

The ultimate wisdom of that decision is in the process of being tested here in October. Boston’s relievers have staggered their way through the first two games of the American League Division Series against the Yankees, but the pitcher they acquired will take the ball for Monday’s pivotal Game 3.

The Red Sox are one dominant Nathan Eovaldi performance away from reclaiming home-field advantage in a series currently tied at 1-1. The right-hander also has a chance to validate the decision made by Boston president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to pass on a reliever such as Zach Britton (Yankees), Ryan Pressly (Astros) or Brad Hand (Indians).

“This is my first postseason start,” Eovaldi said. “I’m excited. This is what we play for coming out of spring training.”

Eovaldi opened the season with Tampa Bay coming off the second Tommy John surgery of his career. The Red Sox would be thrilled if they get what Eovaldi provided in four of his last five starts with the Rays, when he completed at least six innings and allowed two earned runs or less each time. He fired six scoreless frames against Washington on June 26 and seven scoreless innings against the Mets on July 8, flashing the type of dominant raw stuff that convinced Boston to part with Triple-A All-Star Jalen Beeks.

“We trust his stuff,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “He can even get away with mistakes. When you throw 100 (mph) and you place it in the right spot — even if they take a good swing — you can get mis-hits.”

Eovaldi’s one poor start in that closing span with Tampa Bay was a doozy — nine hits and eight earned runs allowed in just 2 2/3 innings against Minnesota on July 13, an 11-8 loss. Eovaldi has allowed at least seven hits in four of his 11 starts with Boston, and he’s failed to record an out in the sixth inning seven times.

But none of those struggles have come against the Yankees, and that’s why Eovaldi earned the nod in the rotation ahead of left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Eovaldi, who started a combined 48 games for the Yankees in 2015 and 2016, has dominated his old teammates to the tune of no earned runs allowed in 16 innings with the Red Sox. Eovaldi’s six scoreless frames in his last start here came prior to his bullpen blowing the lead in a 3-2 Boston loss on Sept. 18.

“It definitely gives me confidence just knowing that I’ve had recent success against them,” Eovaldi said. “I’m trying to do the same thing that I’ve been doing — stay aggressive and try to get that first-pitch strike out of the way.”

Who follows Eovaldi in the late innings, if necessary, is anybody’s best guess. David Price could join the bullpen after his early flameout in Game 2, since the left-hander lasted a mere 10 batters in a 6-2 loss. Rick Porcello is scheduled to start Game 4 on Tuesday and Chris Sale would be in line to pitch a Game 5, if necessary, at Fenway Park on Thursday.

“We expect to go out there and win tomorrow and the next day,” Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes said. “I think that’s one of the reasons why we were so good during the regular season. We don’t get caught up in anything other than the next game, worrying about that game and doing everything we can to win that one.”

Barnes, Ryan Brasier and Craig Kimbrel are the likely options should Boston hold the lead beyond Eovaldi’s start. Joe Kelly also delivered 2 1/3 dominant innings behind Price on Saturday, throwing 20 of his 25 pitches for strikes. Porcello could be the only Red Sox pitcher unavailable, as Boston will be loathe to enter a Game 4 with its season on the line in a ballpark where it posted just a 3-6 mark in nine games this season.

“Where I was at the start of the season with the Rays, we had good things going over there,” Eovaldi said. “But with the Red Sox in the division, they were running away with it. To get traded over here, I’m super excited to be in this situation.”

— bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25