Why Texas Rangers Ace Nathan Eovaldi Has Earned All-Star Game Start

Nathan Eovaldi has been the Texas Rangers' best pitcher all season and it could lead to him starting for the American League at the All-Star Game.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker will manage the American League at the All-Star Game in Seattle on July 11.

While busy managing his Astros against the Texas Rangers, Baker demurred when asked who he would play in the Midsummer Classic. He knows who his starters will be.

“All I have to do is look out there,” Baker said, referring to the four Rangers that will start for the AL — second baseman Marcus Semien, shortstop Corey Seager, third baseman Josh Jung and catcher Jonah Heim.

But what about his starter on the mound? It’s a high honor. It's a nod typically given to the league’s top starting pitcher for the first half of the season. But other factors go into the decision, including where each pitcher is in their rotation and injuries to other selected starters.

Those factors could play a role in whether Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi earns the starting honor.

On his body of work, Eovaldi is a candidate. He is 10-3 with a 2.64 ERA. He’s struck out 106 and walked 27. He is among the AL leaders in wins and ERA, and he also leads baseball with two complete games and 112 1/3 innings.

He has one start left before the break. That would come Thursday in at the Boston Red Sox if the Rangers rotation stays on its current cycle. On Monday, the Rangers listed Thursday’s starter as "to be announced." Rangers manager Bruce Bochy doesn't anticipate any rotation changes on the trip.

So, if Eovaldi starts on Thursday, he can pitch in Seattle on normal rest, an outing that would likely be no more than two innings.

Eovaldi’s chief competition for the spot would probably have been Tampa Bay Rays’ Shane McClanahan. He’s the only AL pitcher with more wins (11) than Eovaldi. He’s having as dominant a season as Eovaldi (11-1, 2.53 ERA, 101 strikeouts, 38 walks). McClanahan started last year’s All-Star Game.

He won’t be able to start this year’s All-Star Game. In fact, he won’t be able to play in it. On Sunday, the Rays put McClanahan on the 15-day injured list with mid-back tightness.

Another candidate could be Baker’s All-Star starter, Framber Valdez. He could start later this week, but he’s working through an ankle injury that caused him to miss his scheduled Sunday start.

Those factors, along with where Eovaldi’s final start of the first half lands, puts him in position to start the All-Star Game. Now it’s up to Baker.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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