MLB World Series: Dodgers vs Red Sox Friday, October 26, 2018 Nathan Eovaldi Red Sox pregame 3 20 pitches, I feel like it's okay. You don't really take that much of a toll. A lot of times the managers do a good Q. You've had no issues going back and forth job of not bringing you in right after a start, the day starting and bullpen throughout the postseason. after. It would be more so like on one of your bullpen Does it take some toll as you continue doing it? days, that you're already going to be throwing 20, 30, And do you think you've opened up some teams' 40 pitches. eyes who would want to use you in the future out of the bullpen solely? It's just in the game. NATHAN EOVALDI: Yeah, I mean it depends. I think right now the fact that I am built up as a starter, go 100 Q. I know you were excited to get into the playoffs pitches, then I feel okay going back-to-back days and and into the World Series. The idea of where you step out of the bullpen. I'm sure it could take a toll, but started the year, and then you got traded, to be right now I feel really good. starting a World Series game, can you put that into a little bit of perspective? Q. Do you think some teams would want to use you NATHAN EOVALDI: Yeah, I mean, it's definitely crazy in the future solely out of the bullpen? to think about, I started this year with the Rays and NATHAN EOVALDI: It's all up to them. It's why I've everything that they were able to do for me. After the been so sure coming out of the pen. It's all up to them. Yankees released me, they put their faith in me that I I would prefer to start, but either way I'm happy. would be able to recover from Tommy John and come back and be healthy. The Rays did a tremendous job Q. So much has been discussed about pitch of taking care of me and not rushing me in any way, tipping, sign stealing, Machado has been in the and allowing me to get to the point where I am now. middle of it. What's your opinion on all of it? And They were able to make the big trade and send me how do you keep from tipping your pitches, and over here for Beeks, and the things he did with the Machado's part recently in this series? team this year, he was able to come in and help them NATHAN EOVALDI: I mean, I feel like pitch tipping is win some big games, and they finished the year with part of the game. You have so much video now, and 90 wins. you're able to rewatch all the plays. The hitters are so good at picking up the little things. I feel the biggest Now for me to be over here it's a huge part to them, part is just locating your pitches. If you locate your I've had a lot of people work on me to get me back to pitch well enough, you're still able to get them out. But this point, and I'm extremely thankful for everybody. I feel like that's also the pitcher's side of it. Q. Once you did come back to the Rays when you I haven't really heard too much of what Machado said. first started pitching for them, how long did it take you to actually get back into sync or the flow, Q. Did you know going into the postseason that whatever, where you felt like you were a hundred there was the chance that you could be used out of percent? the bullpen? And when did Alex come to you for NATHAN EOVALDI: You know, I definitely didn't feel a the first time and say that might be a possibility? hundred percent but I felt really close. I felt good. NATHAN EOVALDI: You know, I don't really remember There were certain pitches that it took a little bit more the first time he said it, but I feel like that's just the way time to get the feel for again. But the Rays did a it happens in postseason. I was prepared for it. tremendous job of getting me back and healthy. They Anytime that you can help the team win, I feel like weren't going to throw me into the fire without me being that's the biggest part of it. I can't think about the first ready. We had starts down in the minors, and it time he told me to. definitely helped. I felt like I was ready to go before they wanted me to. But I feel like watching in the past the starters always seem to come out of the pen. Like I said, you're built So it's just, again, they did a tremendous job taking up for 100 pitches, so if you could break it down to 10, good care of me.

Rev #1 by #178 at 2018-10-26 21:47:00 GMT page 1 of 2 Q. After your second Tommy John surgery, was Q. As you mentioned, the Rays did win 90 games there ever a point that you thought that you would this year and some of their coaches just got hired not be where you are today? as managers. Their influence is kind of felt around NATHAN EOVALDI: No, again, I feel like I'm trusting the League. Why do you think other teams are the doctors and the surgeons that they're going to do interested in the Rays' sort of people, and what did their job. And then trusting the trainers. Our medical you learn from being there about how they do staff is so good nowadays, and I've had so many things and why it's effective? people work on my arm, it's hard to tell everybody NATHAN EOVALDI: Yeah, when I got traded over here, that's worked with me. that was some of the questions I was asked, why are the Rays so good? What are they doing over there to I never thought that I wouldn't be here. I was going to be so successful? And it starts with the management. trust them and trust my abilities and do what they told (Kevin) Cash does a really good job over there and me, and be honest with them about being healthy and Charlie (Montoyo) got hired with Toronto and Rocco take it from there. (Baldelli) is with the Twins now. When I was hurt in 2017, when I was rehabbing down there in the dugout, Q. You said you'd prefer to be a starter, what do I'm picking the players' minds but I'm also picking the you like coming out of the bullpen? coaches' minds. And I learned a lot from Rocco just NATHAN EOVALDI: I like a lot of things about it. I about the small things. He was working with the know I'm coming in, especially like when it's the eighth outfielders a lot and this year he was the infield inning, I'm know I'm coming in for one inning and coordinator, I think was his role -- yeah. bridging the gap, getting the ball in Craig's hands, and trust him that he's going to do his job. He's an So just picking his mind and learning the little things outstanding pitcher and closer. The adrenaline rush about the game from him. I feel like a lot of the teams you get coming out of the pen. when you have good success, the coaches end up going somewhere else. I'd say you've got to stay locked in the entire time. That's one of toughest parts for me. You really don't Q. I know you're scheduled to start Game 4, but know when you're coming in exactly. But I like coming Alex Cora said you could be used out of the out of the pen a lot. bullpen tonight, if the situation arises. What has he told you about your usage tonight? Q. Does it make you feel really good to be able to NATHAN EOVALDI: That it would be similar to the contribute in two different roles as opposed to previous nights before, so I'm assuming the eighth most pitchers who are contributing in one role? inning, we can bridge the gap to get to Kimbrel. And NATHAN EOVALDI: Yeah, it does. It's encouraging. hopefully if we can take the game and be up 3-0, we'll It's really reassuring for me that AC, Dana, everybody deal with that tomorrow when it happens. is putting their faith in me that I'll be able to get out there and get the job done, whether it's starting or Q. Would you be able to start tomorrow if you coming out of the pen. I value that in myself that I'll be pitched tonight? able to come in in any situation, especially in the NATHAN EOVALDI: I mean, I feel like I would. I don't playoffs, if the team asks me to take the ball, that I know if they're going to. I don't think they said, that -- need to be ready to do so. And I feel like the they said that if I am in the game tonight, then I would preparation, again, is part of it, too. not start tomorrow. It's definitely helped me prepare and get ready for the Q. Going back to Ricky coming out of the pen in Dodgers. I mean, it's part of the game. You've got to Game 1 of the Division Series to Chris Sale closing know who you're facing. And you go in there and that out. What has it been like to watch the way execute your pitches and try not to put too much Alex has just gone for the kill in postseason games pressure on yourself. this year? NATHAN EOVALDI: I feel like he's really focused on one game at a time. If there's a chance to take a win when we can, I think he's making all the right decisions. Seems like anytime he calls on somebody out of the dugout or coming in any situation as a pitcher, I feel like he makes the right decision. So we're with him a hundred percent.

Rev #1 by #178 at 2018-10-26 21:47:00 GMT page 2 of 2