Magical Postseason Run for Nathan Eovaldi Continues as Texas Rangers World Series Game 1 Starter vs. Diamondbacks

The Texas Rangers are starting undefeated Nathan Eovaldi in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Texas Rangers named right-hander Nathan Eovaldi to start Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

The Arizona Diamondbacks had previously announced that right-hander Zac Gallen will start the opener, which is set for 7:03 p.m.

While Gallen has faced the Rangers twice this season, Eovaldi has not faced the Diamondbacks. The two title hopefuls met four times in 2023 in interleague play.

Eovaldi will pitch on normal rest, as he started and won Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday against the Houston Astros.

Nathan Eovaldi is 4-0 this postseason and starting Game 1 of the World Series for the Rangers / © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

In that 9-2 victory, he threw 6 1/3 innings, giving up five hits, two runs and three walks while striking out four. He also won Game 2 in Houston, setting a career high with nine strikeouts.

Eovaldi, who helped the Boston Red Sox win the 2018 World Series, has been incredible in this postseason, winning all four of his starts with a 2.42 ERA. He has allowing just seven earned runs in 26 innings. He has struck out 28 and walked four. The Rangers have also outscored opponents 22-7 in his starts in the playoffs.

Eovaldi is reaching for rare air. He has already tied the most postseason wins for any Rangers pitcher in history — Colby Lewis had four between 2010-16 and is the 27th pitcher to have at least four wins in a single postseason.

If he were to win one more start he would join the Washington Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg (2019), Los Angeles Angels’ Francisco Rodríguez (2022) and Arizona’s Randy Johnson (2001) as the only ones with five.

Eovaldi has thrown four quality starts this postseason, making him just the seventh pitcher to do that and claim the win in each of his first four starts of a single postseason.

World Series Schedule (all times CT)

Friday

Game 1 Arizona at Texas, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Saturday

Game 2 Arizona at Texas, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Monday

Game 3 Texas at Arizona, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Tuesday

Game 4 Texas at Arizona, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Wednesday

Game 5 Texas at Arizona (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Friday, Nov. 3

Game 6 Arizona at Texas (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 4

Game 7 Arizona at Texas (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

How Rangers Built World Series Roster

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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