Rangers manager Bruce Bochy hinted that Nathan Eovaldi would get the ball in Game 1 of the World Series when he joined the K&C Masterpiece early Wednesday on 105.3 The Fan, but he made it official later in the afternoon.
While meeting with the media ahead of the Rangers' first pre-World Series workout at Globe Life Field, Bochy named Eovaldi his starter for Game 1, set to take place Friday night in Arlington.
In his interview with The Fan, Bochy indicated that his decision to start Game 1 was between Eovaldi and Jordan Montgomery, who started Game 1 in the Wild Card series, ALDS and ALCS. But because Montgomery pitched out of the bullpen in ALCS Game 7, Texas wanted to give him an extra day of rest, setting him up to start Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday.
Eovaldi has been stellar this postseason, posting a 2.42 ERA in four starts, all wins. In his most recent outing in ALCS Game 6, the right-hander allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings of work against the Astros. He struck out four and gave up five hits and three walks.
Eovaldi will go up against Diamondbacks' ace Zac Gallen, whom Arizona announced would start earlier Wednesday.
Gallen is 2-2 with a 5.24 ERA in four games (all starts) this postseason. The right-hander was much better in the regular season, posting a 17-8 record with a 3.47 ERA in 34 games (all starts).