Boston Game 3 starter Nathan Eovaldi: 'Most important game I've ever pitched in'

Nathan Eovaldi will reach the peak of his career Monday night, taking the mound in his first postseason start, and he will reflect on how far he has climbed from his low point. Actually, it will be a fairly easy comparison.

He will start Game 3 of the American League Division Series for the Red Sox against the Yankees, almost exactly two years and two months after his elbow broke down while pitching for the Yankees against the Red Sox. “I think it’s kind of cool,” he said.

Eovaldi is something of a surprise for the game Monday and did not learn of the assignment until the team landed in New York. The Red Sox had planned to start Rick Porcello but decided to rest him because he pitched in relief Friday.

But dealing with the unexpected has become a trademark for Eovaldi, 28. He has had two Tommy John surgeries, one after his injury as a Yankee on Aug. 10, 2016, and one when he was a high school player in Alvin, Texas (also Nolan Ryan’s hometown).

“I feel like, with those injuries, it has helped me grow a lot as a player, in a lot of different ways,” he said during a news conference at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. He rehabbed all of last year with the Rays, who signed him despite the surgery. The Rays traded him to the Red Sox on July 25 and he made an impact in three appearances against the Yankees: no earned runs, six hits, three walks and 13 strikeouts in 16 innings.

Teammate Matt Barnes said: “I think what we’ve seen Evo do this year against the Yankees is impressive. He’s got electric stuff. I think he’s very confident pitching here, and there. We’re very confident in him.”

Eovaldi vowed to “try to do the same thing against them that I have been doing: stay aggressive and try to get that first strike . . .     This is what we play for, coming out of spring training, preparing for this moment. I’m excited, ready to go. It’s definitely the most important game I’ve ever pitched in.”