The Boston Red Sox saw starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi leave for free agency, only to watch him thrive with the Texas Rangers.
The Boston Red Sox received plenty of flak for allowing shortstop Xander Bogaerts to enter free agency this past winter, only to have him sign an 11-year, $280 million contract with the San Diego Padres. But, they did redeem themselves by signing star third baseman Rafael Devers to a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension. The Red Sox saw another key player from last season walk as well, and are watching them succeed.
On Thursday night, starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi threw a near-complete game against the Oakland Athletics, striking out 12 batters and allowing just three hits in 8.2 innings in a 4-0 win for the Texas Rangers. In the process, Eovaldi has done something not done since 2015.
According to MLB.com's Sarah Langs, Eovaldi is now the first pitcher with "at least 3 straight scoreless outings" while pitching eight or more innings since Clayton Kershaw accomplished this back in 2015 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nathan Eovaldi shining with Rangers early on this season
Here are the other two outings that Eovaldi has had to accomplish this feat:
- Apr. 29 vs. New York Yankees: 9.0 innings, 0 earned runs, 3 hits, 8 strikeouts
- May 6 vs. Los Angeles Angels: 8.0 innings, 0 earned runs, 5 hits, 5 strikeouts
Eovaldi elected to become a free agent this past offseason after rejecting Boston's $19.65 million qualifying offer. In 2022, Eovaldi recorded a 3.87 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, 103 strikeouts and 20 walks in 20 starts (109.1 innings) in 2022. After testing out free agency, he found a home in the Rangers, who prioritized adding to their starting rotation this past winter. Eovaldi signed a two-year, $34 million contract.
Through an MLB high eight starts this season, Eovaldi recorded a 2.70 ERA, a 0.994 WHIP, 56 strikeouts and eight walks in 53.0 innings (MLB high).
There's still a lot of season left to go, but Eovaldi has been a fantastic addition to the Rangers thus far. We'll see if he can extend this streak to four games when he makes his next start.
