Starting pitchers are set for Game 1 of the World Series. In one corner, Texas Rangers outfielder Nathan Eovaldi will make his first career World Series start on Friday. In the other corner will be Arizona Diamondbacks’ Zach Gallen, who is also making his first World Series start.
Eovaldi comes in with a 4-0 record and 2.42 ERA this season. He entered this contest fresh off a win in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series — a must-win for Texas — on Sunday in Houston. Eovaldi also recorded victories in his team’s wild card clincher and divisional round.
“Nate has gotten a lot of rest. He’s ready to go,” the Texans manager said Bruce Bochy said Wednesday of the right-hander.
This isn’t the first time the Texas native has played in the Fall Classic. In the first three games of the 2018 World Series, Eovaldi pitched in relief as the Boston Red Sox played the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 33-year-old was on the mound for the final six innings of the marathon, an 18-inning third game that Max Muncy ended with a home run.
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In contrast, Gallen started the playoffs with victories in the Wild Card and Division Series but lost both games he started in the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. He enters the World Series with a 5.24 ERA.
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