For Rays’ Zach Eflin, matchup with Phillies is a date with ‘destiny’
ST. PETERSBURG ―As soon as the Rays informed their pitchers of the new rotation plans following Shane McClanahan’s initial bout with back tightness on June 22, Zach Eflin started doing the math in his head.
With McClanahan’s next start delayed, Eflin would be in line to pitch Tuesday’s opening game of the only series the Rays have this season against his former Phillies team.
Not only that, he would be matched up against Aaron Nola, a friend for so long they started as Double-A teammates in 2015 and so close they were in each other’s weddings.
“It makes no sense,” Eflin said. “I mean, it’s just, like, destiny, right? As soon as Shane got pushed back a couple of days, I was like, I’ve got the July 4th game against ‘Nols.’ It was just almost, like, meant to be.
“I’m super excited. They’re tremendous people over in that organization, and I love them so much. So, it’s really going to be interesting facing them. … I’m kind of, like, right in the middle of the anxiety and excitement.”
Eflin has reason for both.
There is a personal side, which at least Tuesday will be limited mostly to head nods and an occasional sly smile.
But when J.T. Realmuto, who caught Eflin most of the previous four seasons, steps in, there is no telling what could happen.
“I’ll probably start laughing or something,” Eflin said. “We’ve gotten really close, and our wives are really close.”
So close that when Realmuto tested free agency before re-signing with the Phillies prior to the 2021 season, his wife, Alexis, sent Eflin’s wife, Lauren, a video — of J.T., then with the Marlins, hitting a homer off Eflin in a 2018 game.
“They were like, ‘Do you think this helped us sign with Philly because of this extra homer?’” Eflin said. “It’s kind of a running joke, so I’m going to laugh. It’s going to be good.”
There will be interesting matchups with other Phillies, from star slugger Bryce Harper on down, who Eflin bonded with since reaching the majors in June 2016.
“All the position players, I’m still really, really close with,” he said. “They’re still really good friends of mine.”
There also is a business component to the matchup.
Eflin, who is 9-3 with a 3.29 ERA, is fiercely competitive and very team-focused. He will be determined to help his once-again injury-impacted American League-leading squad halt a bit of a stumble, having lost eight of 14.
(He also could be pitching for a spot on the All-Star team as a replacement for McClanahan, though Elfin wouldn’t be able to pitch in Seattle as he is slated to start again Sunday for the Rays.)
Finally, factor in the naturally enhanced drive from going against your friends and former bosses.
“They did some special things over there last year,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He was part of that organization for many years. I know it’ll be exciting for him to see his buddies, old teammates, that coaching staff he speaks really, really highly of.
“But I’m guessing he’s going to really want to go out there and pitch well.”
Added Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder, “I know he has a lot of fond memories there. But I know he’s probably going to be pretty well motivated to perform.”
The Rays couldn’t be more pleased with how Eflin, 29, has pitched for them since signing a three-year, $40 million deal, the largest in team history to a free agent. He also has become something of a unifier in the clubhouse.
Eflin has played a key role in mentoring young players, such as rookie starter Taj Bradley and shortstop Wander Franco, who has been dealing with maturity and emotions-controlling issues that led to a recent two-game benching.
Eflin also has brought teammates together for dinners and occasional outings, inviting more than a half dozen to Ed Sheeren’s concert in May in Tampa.
Eflin said he is merely paying forward what he experienced as a young Phillie.
“It’s such an awesome culture that we have here and atmosphere,” Eflin said. “Honestly, I’m trying to take all the experiences that I had with Philly, with all the veterans that took care of me and everything I learned, and bring that over here, because it was so important to my career. And I just think it’s amazingly important to all the young guys here.”
Eflin and Nola text regularly, and the rhetoric has ramped up leading to Tuesday, Nola joking last week that they should make some kind of bet.
Nola said he couldn’t be more thrilled to see Eflin healthy (his knees have been an issue in the past) and pitching well.
“I’ve been with him the whole way, with the stuff he’s gone through, and I’m happy to see what he’s doing and the success he’s having right now in Tampa (Bay),” Nola said in Philadelphia. “We all know how good he is.”
Nola said it will be more fun than weird to face off with his friend.
“It’ll be exciting,” Nola said. “I’m happy to see him. It’ll be fun to just watch him in the same game.”
Eflin said the feeling is mutual.
“It’s going to be really cool to face him,” Eflin said. “I’m sure there’s going to be some sort of emotion. It’s going to be really cool to see all those guys.”
Eflin said, to be candid, he was looking “more forward” to Wednesday — for the chance to visit casually with the players and staff, “chatting around, saying, ‘What’s up?’ (and) seeing how everybody’s families are doing.”
Also Wednesday, he will receive his 2022 National League championship ring, the prize for the Phillies’ run to the World Series, where they lost to the Astros.
“That’ll be awesome. That’ll be amazing,” Eflin said. “I’ve seen pictures, obviously. Having been there for eight seasons with one record above .500 and finally making the postseason, winning the NLDS, the NLCS, and then ultimately going to the World Series, it was so special to all of us because we’ve never experienced anything like that.
“So it’ll be a nice little token for the memories we shared last year.”
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