Nathan Eovaldi, a right-hander for the Texas Rangers, is looking quite good in his second spring training start. “He is doing well,” manager Bruce Bochy remarked.
Even though it is not even March, Nathan Eovaldi appears prepared for Opening Day.
The right-hander for the Texas Rangers, who is expected to start for the team on Opening Day, pitched his second Cactus League game on Thursday at Surprise Stadium, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 7-5.
Despite giving up a run on two hits, including a run-scoring double in his third and final inning, Eovaldi was particularly effective and earned the win in the Rangers’ Game 5 World Series title-clincher. He could have gone on.
To get his pitch count up to the required fifty, Eovaldi actually moved from the diamond to the bullpen after his three innings.
“I feel pretty good out there,” Eovaldi remarked. On March 28 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, the Rangers will play their season opener against the Chicago Cubs. This time around, I had much greater control over my fastball. I am adjusting the technical aspects that I needed to after the [first] outing so that I can only slightly improve the repetition of my delivery.”
On Thursday, Eovaldi demonstrated his four-pitch repertoire, and he was pleased with the way his split-fingered fastball felt. More curveballs were thrown by him; this is a pitch he is working to get better at, “but it is still not exactly where I want it to be.”
Brock Wilken scored a run with a double off a cutter that caught more of the plate than he intended. His fastball would frequently reach the 90s.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy commented, “Nice work.” “He is a strong player with exceptional pitchability, as demonstrated by his competitiveness. It is good to see him hurling in this manner at this time. We knew he arrived in excellent condition. He is therefore exactly where you want him to be. He is doing well.”
