ALCS: Eovaldi gets call for Red Sox in home state

Tuesday evening at Minute Maid Park could present the one set of stimuli capable of ruffling Nathan Eovaldi’s feathers.

HOUSTON - Nathan Eovaldi doesn’t make a habit of seeking familiar faces in the crowd on nights he pitches.

 The Red Sox' right-hander tends to his business quietly, going through his normal routine regardless of circumstances. Look no further than his Game 3 performance against New York in the American League Division Series, seven innings of dominance in the labyrinth that is Yankee Stadium to help Boston turn the matchup in its favor.

 Tuesday evening at Minute Maid Park could present the one set of stimuli capable of ruffling Eovaldi’s feathers. The most famous product of his nearby hometown is likely to be sitting in the front row behind the backstop, watching his every move in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against the Astros.

 Nolan Ryan has defined the past half-century of pitchers hailing from the state, a native of the Houston suburb of Alvin. Look no further than former Red Sox right-handers Josh Beckett, former Cubs right-hander Kerry Wood or countless others as the textbook examples of the mythical power arms hailing from the Lone Star State. Eovaldi’s second career postseason start is another critical one, as Boston attempts to take the lead in a series knotted at 1-1.

 “I’m so focused on the game – locking in on the catcher and things like that,” Eovaldi said. “And I feel that would take my attention away from everything if I’m scanning the crowds.”

 Eovaldi scattered five hits, struck out five against no walks and generally blistered the Yankees’ vaunted lineup in a 16-1 thrashing. He hit or exceeded 100 mph on seven of his 97 pitches, throwing 72 for strikes. The Red Sox' offense had plenty of chances to back Eovaldi early and often, running away with the game and the momentum in the best-of-five series.

 “He was big for us down the stretch and just a guy that we have all the confidence in the world in whenever he’s on the mound,” said Brock Holt, who led the Boston attack that night in the Bronx with the first cycle in postseason history. “The stuff that he has is top-notch. There’s not many guys who can throw a baseball like he can.”

 Something similar could be said of Ryan, a 27-year veteran who finally retired at age 46. He still holds career Major League Baseball records with 5,714 strikeouts, seven no-hitters and only 6.6 hits allowed per nine innings. Ryan also fit the stereotype of the steely-eyed gunslinger lording over town in an old Western movie, as Robin Ventura can attest after charging the mound and being pummeled in their famous 1993 fight.

 “When I was with the Yankees (in 2015-16) I had an opportunity to meet him,” Eovaldi said. “And words can’t really describe what it’s like. He’s done a lot for us and the community of Alvin.”

 Eovaldi and Holt are two of four Texas natives on Boston’s 25-man roster for this series, with relief pitchers Ryan Brasier and Brandon Workman rounding out the strong local contingent. Holt starred in the college ranks at Rice under legendary coach Wayne Graham and Workman was gifted enough to be recruited by the University of Texas, the state’s flagship athletic school.

 “I’m ready to be back in Texas,” Brasier said following Boston’s 7-5 victory in Sunday’s Game 2. “I’m going to have a lot of friends and family at the game, so it’s going to be fun.”

 Holt was the lone member of the quartet to make last season’s ALDS roster against Houston, and the Red Sox lost the first two games here to fall into an inescapable hole. The Astros ultimately wrapped up the series in four games on their way to a first World Series crown.

 “I think everyone believes that we’re good and that we can do this thing,” Holt said. “I think as a whole there’s just a lot more confidence coming in here this time.”