Eovaldi a big dog in postseason, but his puppy rules the roost
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Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is still bothered by losing Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, despite his valiant extra-inning effort that buoyed the Red Sox.
“Obviously, I know the significance of the game, and it all worked out for us in the overall run,” Eovaldi said. “But for me, personally, it bothers me that it was the only loss in the World Series. But that's the competitor that I am.”
That performance is when Eovaldi first earned his reputation as a premier postseason pitcher, earning the monikers “Big Game Nate” and “Nasty Nate” for his penchant for delivering on baseball’s biggest stage.
So with the Rangers headed to Houston for a must-win Game 6 in the American League Championship Series vs. the Astros on Sunday, there isn’t anybody they would rather have on the mound.
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“What Evo has done,” second baseman Marcus Semien said, “not just this year, but in the biggest moments, has given us all the confidence in the world in him.”
And there’s no reason for the Rangers, down 3-2 in the series, not to feel confident with Eovaldi on the mound.
In the Wild Card Series vs. Tampa Bay, the right-hander tossed 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball to seal the series win. He wrapped up the AL Division Series vs. Baltimore with an even better outing, seven innings with one run, showing he has regained the All-Star form that eluded him after returning from a right forearm strain in July.
If the 2018 loss still stings, so does Eovaldi’s effort in the 2021 ALCS against the Astros. He pitched the Red Sox to a win in Game 2, recorded the loss in Game 4 in relief on short rest and, despite a sterling 4 1/3-inning start in Game 6, lost again as Boston was shut out.
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With the Rangers, Eovaldi has had an opportunity to prove his mettle against the Astros again. He said he is ready to adjust after allowing three runs in six innings on Monday in a Game 2 win.
“I don't think you really change up too much of what we did before,” Eovaldi said. “Mechanically, I felt like I was a little off that game. I feel like I made that adjustment. And, hopefully, I'll be able to locate my pitches a little bit better and go out and leave it all there for that game.
“... Obviously, you're going to pitch a little differently, depending on how aggressive they're going to come out swinging. But that's what you prepare for, and that's what you get ready for.”
One adjustment Eovaldi already has made is staying with the team at the hotel on the road in Houston. Previously, the native of the Houston suburb of Alvin, Texas, had elected to stay home with his family.
“Both my kids are in school, and we have a new puppy,” Eovaldi said. “She's been barking a lot. So I've been staying at the hotel. This is my first time I've stayed at the hotel [in Houston].”
Five years after that 2018 World Series, a lot has changed for Eovaldi -- puppy or otherwise. But the Rangers are hoping he can keep doing what he has done his entire postseason career.
Rangers catcher Jonah Heim was a Minor Leaguer in the A’s system when he watched Eovaldi’s 2018 World Series performance.
“We kind of joke about it all the time, just clubhouse banter, but it was impressive to watch then and impressive to watch now,” Heim said. “He's a true competitor. He's going to give you everything he's got and give us a chance to win.”