Texas Rangers Starting Pitcher Nathan Eovaldi Is Quietly Dominating
When you hear the name Nathan Eovaldi, you probably think about electric postseason performances, insane velocity, and that guy teams want to see on the mound when things hit the fan. But here we are in the dog days of August, and Eovaldi just turned another random Tuesday into a masterclass in pitching.
Against a team fighting for Wild Card relevance, the Texas Rangers somehow got exactly what they needed from their right-handed ace. Eight innings. One hit. Six strikeouts. Zero runs. He casually lowered his ERA to a microscopic 1.38. Yup, you read that right. This isn’t some fluky stat. That is his ERA after 19 starts this season. Not only did his dominance give the Rangers a solid 2-0 win, but it also nudged them within half a game of the Yankees in the Wild Card hunt.
Big Game Nate? More Like Big Every Game Nate
If you’re still wondering why the Rangers gave Eovaldi those beautiful free-agent dollars in the first place, cue up Tuesday night. Not only was he nasty, but he also made some serious history. He became just the fourth pitcher in franchise history to throw eight scoreless innings while allowing one or zero baserunners.
The last time we saw something like this in the Rangers organization was Kenny Rogers’ perfect game in 1994. Eovaldi only faced one over the minimum, folks. And that fluky Anthony Volpe double? It had the exit velocity of my morning commute.
The Secret Sauce Is Eovaldi’s Arsenal
The thing about Eovaldi is that he isn’t just out there shoving 100 mph heat. This guy is Picasso with a baseball. He’s got four pitches, all of which he commands like they owe him rent. Whether it’s firing up a cutter that just disappears or tricking you with a backdoor slider, Eovaldi paints the plate. Even his Manager, Bruce Bochy, couldn’t hold back the praise.
Cy Young Buzz? Maybe, But Don’t Jinx It
While we’d love to slap the Cy Young trophy into Eovaldi’s hands right now, Bochy played it cool when asked about his chances. Probably too cool. He claimed it’s “too early” to discuss. Either way, the numbers are screaming for recognition. It is one thing to flirt with an AL-best ERA and another to become just the fourth pitcher in the past 50 years to maintain a sub-1.50 ERA through 19 starts. This elite club includes Pedro Martínez, Roger Clemens, and Zack Greinke. Good luck finding better company than that.
Why Eovaldi Is the Guy For Texas This Year
Jacob deGrom might have been the Rangers’ shiny new toy to start the season, but injuries quickly shifted the narrative. Enter Eovaldi, the quiet killer who’s had to carry the weight of an entire pitching staff. “He’s fun to watch” is a massive understatement from Reliever Phil Maton. With deGrom and the Rangers fighting for postseason relevance, Eovaldi has been exactly what this team needed. He doesn’t just eat innings. He devours them whole and smiles afterward.
What’s Next For Eovaldi and the Rangers?
If the playoffs kicked off tomorrow, you bet every penny in your bank account that Eovaldi’s name would headline that Wild Card matchup. Bochy would probably blow up your phone just to confirm.
