Game 1: Eovaldi Looks To Continue Postseason Success, Gallen Looks For Win

The starting pitchers for Game 1 of the World Series are set. Texas Ranger pitcher Nathan Eovaldi will make his first career World Series start Friday night. In the other corner is the Arizona Diamondback pitcher Zac Gallen, who will also be making his first World Series start.

Eovaldi comes in with a 4-0 record and a 2.42 ERA this postseason. He enters this contest fresh off a victory in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series — a must-win for Texas — in Houston on Sunday night. Eovaldi also recorded wins in the wild-card and divisional round clinchers.

“Nate’s had plenty of rest, he’s ready to go,” Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday.

This is not Eovaldi’s first time playing in the Fall Classic. In the first three games of 2018 World Series, Eovaldi pitched in relief when the Boston red Sox played the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 33-year-old also was on the mound the final six innings of that marathon, 18-inning third game that Max Muncy eventually ended with a home run.

Gallen, by contrast, started off the playoffs with wins 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.