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Nathan Eovaldi, Dominant at Home, Aims to Lead Rangers to Sweep of Rays
Nathan Eovaldi, the Texas Rangers’ ace, has been exceptional at home this season. As the Rangers aim to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays in their three-game series, Eovaldi’s performance will be key.
Nathan Eovaldi’s Home Dominance
Season Performance: Nathan Eovaldi (5-3, 3.15 ERA) has been stellar at Globe Life Field, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his nine starts, setting a club record. His most recent outing was a masterclass against the San Diego Padres, where he allowed just one hit over seven innings, striking out six and walking none.
Manager’s Praise: Rangers manager Bruce Bochy lauded Eovaldi’s pace and command, emphasizing his ability to effectively pound the strike zone.
Career vs. Rays: Eovaldi has an 8-6 record with a 3.60 ERA in 18 career appearances against the Rays. He’s been especially effective recently, winning his last four starts against Tampa Bay, including a dominant 4-1 victory on April 3, where he allowed four hits over seven shutout innings.
Rangers’ Recent Performance
Current Series: The Rangers have taken the first two games against the Rays, with a 3-0 win on Friday and a 4-3 victory on Saturday. Marcus Semien’s two-run homer in the seventh inning on Saturday was a game-changer, ending his 22-game homerless streak.
Key Players:
- Marcus Semien: Semien’s go-ahead homer on Saturday, his 12th of the season, was a much-needed boost for the Rangers.
- Leody Taveras: Taveras’s single set up Semien’s home run, contributing crucially to the Rangers’ victory.
Tampa Bay Rays’ Challenge
Series Struggles: The Rays have lost back-to-back games for the first time since mid-June. Despite a three-run homer by Yandy Diaz on Saturday, they couldn’t maintain their lead.
Manager’s Perspective: Rays manager Kevin Cash acknowledged Diaz’s big homer but noted how quickly the momentum shifted with Semien’s response.
Pitching Matchup
Zack Littell for the Rays: Right-hander Zack Littell (3-5, 3.94 ERA) will start for the Rays. Littell has a 0-1 record with a 2.31 ERA in seven career appearances against the Rangers. He’s coming off a strong performance against the Kansas City Royals, where he allowed four hits over five shutout innings.
Eovaldi’s Edge: Eovaldi’s consistency at home and his recent success against the Rays give the Rangers a significant edge in the series finale.
Conclusion
Sunday’s game is a critical opportunity for the Rangers to complete a sweep of the Rays, led by Nathan Eovaldi’s dominant home pitching. The Rays, looking to avoid a sweep, will rely on Zack Littell to counter Eovaldi’s form. This matchup promises a competitive and high-stakes conclusion to the series.
