Hot-hitting Garver OK after HBP, ready for World Series

ARLINGTON -- Mitch Garver took a 97.2 mph fastball to the ribs on Monday during Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, but the Rangers’ designated hitter said Wednesday he’s ready to go for the World Series, which begins on Friday night vs. the D-backs.

“The doctor said there’s nothing to worry about,” Garver said, “Just kind of play it by pain management.”

Garver took batting practice during the Rangers’ off-day at Globe Life Field, swinging the bat for the first time since his painful hit-by-pitch.

After the fastball to the ribs from Astros reliever Bryan Abreu, which had Garver bent over in pain, he remained in the game and jogged home on a Nathaniel Lowe home run in the next at-bat before he was removed prior to his next at-bat in the eighth inning with Texas up, 11-3.

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“I probably would’ve yelled an expletive if I could’ve caught my breath,” Garver said. “But I just was gasping for air there. I just had to recover myself for a moment before I moved.

“[Lowe’s home run] made it so much better. I was so happy. That, and I didn’t have to score from first base because every lead I took after play resumed did not feel good, got worse and worse as it went. For him to hit a home run made it sweet.”

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Garver is 10-for-34 with two home runs and 11 RBIs (.897 OPS) this postseason since he joined the Rangers' lineup in Baltimore with a massive grand slam in the AL Division Series vs. the Orioles.

Texas turns to ‘Big Game Nate’ for Game 1
Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will take the mound for the Rangers in Game 1 of the World Series vs. the D-backs, manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday.

Jordan Montgomery previously started Game 1 in two of the Rangers’ three postseason series this year, but the left-hander threw 2 1/3 innings of relief in Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday.

“You look at Monty’s work, it makes sense to give him some rest -- that’s all,” Bochy said. “Nate’s had plenty of rest. He’s ready to go.”

Eovaldi, who is 4-0 in four postseason starts for Texas with a 2.42 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP, last pitched on Oct. 22 and tossed 6 1/3 strong innings to take down the Astros in Game 6.

He’ll get a chance to add to his standout postseason resume -- including a 2.87 ERA in 10 starts, nine of which his team has won -- against a team he has rarely faced recently in his 12-year career; the last time Eovaldi pitched against Arizona was on May 18, 2016.