In a surprising move, the Texas Rangers have named Nathan Eovaldi as the starter for Game 1 of the World Series. Eovaldi, who signed with the Rangers last offseason, has had an impressive postseason so far. With a record of 4-0 and an ERA of 2.42 in four starts, including crucial victories in the AL Wild Card Series and AL Division Series, Eovaldi has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the team. This will be his first career World Series start, and all eyes will be on him as he takes the mound on Friday night.
On the other side, the Arizona Diamondbacks have chosen to start All-Star pitcher Zac Gallen in Game 1. Gallen, who has a record of 2-2 and an ERA of 5.24 in four postseason games, has had a bit of a rocky road so far. In the NL Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, he struggled, giving up nine runs on 14 hits, including five home runs, in just 11 innings. While he did lead the Diamondbacks in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched during the regular season, his performance in the playoffs has been less than stellar.
The decision to start Eovaldi in Game 1 raises some questions for the Rangers. With left-hander Jordan Montgomery performing well in the postseason, including a crucial relief appearance in Game 7 against the Houston Astros, many expected him to get the nod. However, Texas manager Bruce Bochy has chosen to go with Eovaldi instead. It remains to be seen how this decision will play out and whether it will pay off for the team.
Gallen has faced the Rangers once before this season, pitching six innings and allowing just one run in a 6-3 victory for the Diamondbacks. However, his overall career record against the Rangers is not as impressive, with a record of 1-1 and an ERA of 3.57 in three appearances. This raises concerns about his ability to perform at a high level against a team he has struggled against in the past.
Eovaldi’s Past Postseason Success
While Game 1 will be Eovaldi’s first career World Series start, he has plenty of experience in the postseason. In 15 career postseason games, including 10 starts, Eovaldi has a record of 8-3 and an ERA of 2.87. His most notable World Series appearance was in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox, where he made relief appearances in each of the first three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He especially stood out in the 18-inning third game, pitching six innings before allowing the game-ending home run. This experience could be valuable for Eovaldi as he takes on the Diamondbacks in Game 1.
The Verdict
With Eovaldi and Gallen as the starting pitchers for Game 1, both teams are taking a risk. Eovaldi’s recent success and postseason experience give the Rangers hope for a strong outing, while Gallen’s struggles in the playoffs raise concerns for the Diamondbacks. Ultimately, Friday night’s game will be a test of these two pitchers’ abilities and could set the tone for the rest of the series. Only time will tell who will come out on top.
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