Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers in Position to Advance as Baltimore Orioles Face Elimination in ALDS

Nathan Eovaldi, coming off his best start since returning the IL, is in position help the Texas Rangers close out the ALDS in Game 3.

The Texas Rangers went without Nathan Eovaldi for a month due to a right forearm strain. When he returned at the start of September, there wasn’t much of a chance to send him to the minor leagues.

So, the Rangers had to try and stretch out their All-Star during a month that saw the club in a playoff race for the first time since 2016. It didn’t start well.

But now? The Eovaldi that looked like a potential Cy Young candidate at the All-Star break seems to have finally reclaimed that form.

It’s all about fastball command, he said in advance of his Game 3 start in the American League Division Series against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday at Globe Life Field.

Nathan Eovaldi won as the Rangers eliminated Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round / © Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers lead the best-of-five series 2-0 and could advance to the ALCS if Eovaldi turns in another stellar start.

“I feel like my fastball command was a lot better compared to the outings before that,” Eovaldi said of his start against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card round.

“And I had my curveball working really well. If my fastball command is working, then my splitter goes along with that. I think with those three pitches ... with [catcher Jonah Heim] back there behind the plate calling a great game, we were able to navigate our way through the lineup.”

Eovaldi (1-0, 1.35) will start with an additional day of rest after taking the victory on Wednesday in Game 2 against Tampa Bay. That was his best start since his return. He threw 6 2/3 innings, gave up six hits and one run while striking out eight. He walked none.

It was the first time Eovaldi threw at least six innings in a start since July 18 against, oddly enough, Tampa Bay. That was his last start before he went on the injured list.

Now, Eovaldi — 12-5 with a 3.63 ERA in the regular season — will have the honor of starting the Rangers’ first playoff game in Globe Life Field, which hosted MLB’s neutral site playoffs in 2020 but has never hosted a Texas playoff game.

If the veteran right-hander can help the Rangers close out this series, it would be the franchise’s first berth in the ALCS since 2011.

Standing in his and the Rangers’ way is Dean Kremer, who will start as the Orioles try to stave off elimination. Kremer had a breakthrough season in 2023, going 13-5 with a 4.12 ERA in 32 starts, while striking out 157 and walking 55.

He hasn’t pitched since Sept. 28 when he faced the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. He claimed the victory, pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings and giving up just two hits. He struck out eight and walked none.

Kremer hasn’t made thrown a full six innings in a start since Aug. 29, when he pitched six innings against the Chicago White Sox. That wrapped up a four-start streak of pitching at least six innings.

He will make his first postseason start with Orioles’ playoff future on the line. But he did start the games when Baltimore clinched a playoff spot and AL East title.

“I'd like to think (it will help),” Kremer said. “Both those games had a pretty electric atmosphere. And I don't know, just kind of stick to a plan that we come up with and just try to execute as best we can.”

Rangers-Orioles ALDS Schedule, Results

(Best-of-5 series, all times CT)

Game 1: Rangers 3, Orioles 2

Game 2: Rangers 11, Orioles 8

Game 3: Baltimore at Texas, Tuesday, 7:03 p.m., Fox

Game 4: Baltimore at Texas, Wednesday, 6:07 p.m., FS1*

Game 5: Texas at Baltimore, 7:03 p.m., Friday, FS1*

*-if necessary

Long, Strange Trip for Rangers

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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