ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Despite being one of baseball’s hottest pitchers, Nathan Eovaldi isn’t listed among MLB’s statistical leaders and was surprisingly left out of the American League All-Star team.
Since early July, the Texas Rangers right-hander has gone 6-0 with a minuscule 0.47 ERA over six starts, including a recent eight-inning, one-hit gem in a 2-0 win against the Yankees. Overall, Eovaldi is 10-3 with a 1.38 ERA in 19 outings this season. Manager Bruce Bochy praised the 35-year-old’s historic run, calling it one of the best pitching stretches he’s witnessed in his decades-long career.
Eovaldi’s ERA would easily lead MLB more than half a run ahead of both All-Star starters if not for missing much of June due to elbow inflammation. He currently trails only Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (2.18 ERA) in the AL and Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes (1.94 ERA) in the NL.
According to STATS, only four pitchers since 1920 have had a lower ERA through their first 19 starts, with Bob Gibson’s legendary 1.06 in 1968 still the gold standard. Eovaldi has also matched a Gibson record by allowing one run or fewer in 13 of 14 games.
Just short of qualifying for the ERA leaderboard due to innings pitched, Eovaldi could reach the mark Monday against Arizona. Now in his third straight 10-win season with Texas and under a $75 million contract through 2027 he’s become known for his diverse arsenal: a four-seam fastball, cutter, splitter, and curveball, all commanded with precision.
Bochy lauded his versatility, noting Eovaldi can throw any pitch in any count, working every part of the strike zone. Despite missing the All-Star Game, the Rangers still awarded him his $100,000 selection bonus.
Eovaldi, who has pitched for six MLB teams and owns a 101-84 career record, has been a postseason force as well, going 9-1 with a 3.05 ERA in 17 playoff appearances. Yankees manager Aaron Boone called him a fierce competitor with elite command, while All-Star slugger Aaron Judge held hitless in his return from injury credited Eovaldi’s ability to mix pitches and control the strike zone.
