In a surprise to absolutely nobody, Nathan Eovaldi will be the Rangers opening day starter. Every pitch he throws this year will come with Rangers fans flinching. Please don’t get hurt, please don’t get hurt, please don’t get hurt.

The thirty-three-year-old righthander spent some time on the IL last season and, with only five able-bodied starters, the Rangers can ill-afford to lose him for any stretch this season. 

He did make twenty-five starts in 2023, winning twelve and losing five. The Rangers need him to be the workhorse this year as well. Eovaldi was the Red Sox opening day starter three times, winning one and losing two.

Like last year when Jacob deGrom inevitably went down, Eovali anchored the staff that helped the Rangers shoot out to a lead in the West as big as six games in mid-June. 

They just need him to stay healthy.

Please don’t get hurt, please don’t get hurt, please don’t get hurt.

*****

TODAY’S GAMES:

Texas vs Cincinnati, 3:05