Alex Cora was plenty familiar with the starting pitcher who the Red Sox matched up with Sunday afternoon.
Boston's series finale in Texas saw the visitors pitted against Nathan Eovaldi, who worked with Cora for three-plus seasons before latching on with the Rangers ahead of the 2023 campaign. The Red Sox manager became fully aware of Eovaldi's competitiveness, which was on full display across Boston's run to the 2018 World Series title.
So, ahead of Sunday's contest at Globe Life Field, Cora tried to use the right-hander's drive against him. As the skipper told WEEI before first pitch, he texted Eovaldi the Red Sox's starting lineup around midnight with hopes of the fireballer losing sleep by staying up even later to prepare, per The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey.
Even if Eovaldi stayed up past his bedtime, it probably wouldn't give Boston much of an advantage. The Fenway Faithful would be the first to tell you the two-time World Series champion has an impressive ability to handle whatever is thrown his way.
But you also can't knock Cora for trying. The Red Sox are in the thick of a battle for a postseason spot, and at this point in the season, the club would welcome even the slightest leg-up.
