Nathan Eovaldi Struggles and Puts Rangers in Another Hole Against Orioles

One is coincidence. Twice is a trend. So is it time to start worrying about Texas Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi?

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker doesn’t think so, as he told Rangers Sports Network after Wednesday’s 8-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

“He threw a lot of strikes,” Schumaker said. “Some pitches were up that he probably wants to have back. Overall, I’m not worried about Evo. He’s going to be just fine. He’s probably the last guy I’m worried about in there.”

When he left the game the Rangers (4-2) were down, 4-2. He only threw four innings, which meant Schumaker had to dip into a bullpen for the fifth straight day that was a bit over-taxed. He also used Jacob Latz in the final inning, taking him out of the mix for a starter when the Rangers get back home to Texas on Friday.

Nathan Eovaldi’s Shaky Start

While one shouldn't overreact early in the season, it's the second time Nathan Eovaldi couldn't get out of the fifth (didn't get to the fifth this time) and left his team with a deficit. 4 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 5 K, 3 BB, 1 HR. 88 pitches, 55 strikes. pic.twitter.com/OHl3g7LnQN
— Matthew Postins (@PostinsPostcard) April 1, 2026

Eovaldi threw 88 pitches, 55 of which were strikes. He used his splitter 30 times, equally against left-handed and right-handed hitters. That pitch averaged 89.1 mph and he played his curveball off the pitch. He threw that 24 times with an average of 76.9 mph. Those two pitches induced 31 swings, three called strikes, 11 whiffs and 14 called strikes plus whiffs.

But it didn’t keep the O’s off the bases and his work with two outs left much to be desired. With two retired in the first inning, Pete Alonso and Samuel Basallo hit back-to-back singles off Eovaldi. He did escape with a strikeout of Coby Mayo. But he got into trouble in the same situation later.

He allowed two runs on three hits in the second inning, including an RBI double from Taylor Ward. In the third, he was in a two-out jam again. He walked Alonso to start the inning and then retired Basallo and Mayo. But, he didn’t extract himself from the jam that time. Dylan Beavers singled and Colton Cowser walked the bases loaded. Former Rangers outfielder Leody Taveras doubles to score two runs to make it 4-0.

Eovaldi retired the side in order in the fourth inning, but his pitch count was too high to continue.

The right-hander is now 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA in his two starts. He’s struck out 12 and walked three, but he’s allowed 16 hits in less than nine innings of work (he went 4.2 innings on opening day). Last year after two starts he was 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA and threw a “Maddux” in his second start, which is a complete-game shutout under 100 pitches.

Eovaldi may end up being just fine. But, right now, he’s giving up too much traffic and not giving Texas enough length after two starts.