The upcoming start for Padres’ right-hander Nick Pivetta against his former team, the Boston Red Sox, promises to be a compelling "revenge game" that carries both personal and competitive stakes. Pivetta, who signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Padres this offseason after declining a qualifying offer from Boston, is now set to face the team where he spent four pivotal seasons of his career (2021–2024) and developed into a reliable mid-to-backend starter.
During his tenure with the Red Sox, Pivetta steadily improved, culminating in a strong 2023-2024 stretch where he posted a 4.09 ERA and ranked fifth in strikeout rate among pitchers with at least 250 innings, thanks in part to an effective curveball and newer sweeper pitch that generated a high whiff rate. Notably, he made a memorable relief appearance in 2023 where he pitched six scoreless, hitless innings with 13 strikeouts, setting a Red Sox franchise record for strikeouts in relief. Over his four seasons in Boston, he amassed 172 strikeouts in 145⅔ innings during the last season alone, showcasing his growth and value as a starting pitcher.
Now with the Padres, Pivetta enters the matchup with more financial security and a fresh challenge, carrying the motivation to perform well against the team that let him walk in free agency. Padres manager and Pivetta himself have acknowledged the significance of this return. Manager Bob Melvin remarked, “Nick knows how important this game is. He’s spent good years in Boston and wants to show what he brings to our rotation.” Meanwhile, Pivetta expressed measured focus, saying, “Every game means something, but facing your old teammates adds just a little extra spark. I’m excited to compete and help the Padres win.”
Statistically, Pivetta offers the Padres a solid arm with a career ERA hovering around 4.33 during his Boston years but trending downward recently. The $55 million contract reflects confidence in his ability to provide quality innings, especially given his improved strikeout ability and durability. His addition bolsters the Padres’ rotation depth in a competitive NL West race, where consistent starting pitching is vital.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, will be keen to test their former pitcher and expose any tendencies he might display. Boston’s lineup features potent hitters capable of challenging Pivetta, but his refined arsenal and experience make him a tough assignment. Analysts note that Pivetta’s use of breaking pitches specifically his curveball and sweeper, which accounted for over a third of his pitches in recent seasons is critical to keeping hitters off-balance.
In a matchup full of narratives the new beginning for Pivetta in San Diego, the chance for the Padres to prove their offseason moves, and Boston’s attempt to reclaim dominance over a former starter the game has all the makings of a key moment in the season. Whether Pivetta’s motivation fuels a dominant outing or the pressure weighs on him remains to be seen, but baseball fans can expect a fiercely competitive performance in what is undoubtedly a "revenge game alert."
LATEST
- NEWS
- |
- ARTICLES
- |
- VIDEOS
FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK
