Through a starter’s first 19 outings of a season, Eovaldi’s 1.38 ERA is the fifth-lowest ever, trailing only Bob Gibson (1.06, 1968), Luis Tiant (1.27, 1968), Zack Greinke (1.30, 2015), and Vida Blue (1.37, 1971).

Entering Monday’s matchup with the Diamondbacks at Globe Life Field, Eovaldi had six straight winning decisions and had not shouldered a loss since May 22. It was easy to see why. Since he came off the injured list on June 27, Eovaldi had allowed five earned runs in 41 2/3 innings across seven starts. That was a 1.08 ERA in that time frame.

One of baseball’s best pitchers this season isn’t even listed among the league leaders, and was left off the American League All-Star team.

He wasn't supposed to be the best starting pitcher at baseball at age 35. Then again, he wasn't supposed to become a World Series icon or a Texas Ranger legend, either. What if the Cy Young Award is next?

Eovaldi is now up to 13 quality starts on the season -- five of which have come over his last seven outings -- and he sports a 1.76 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 120:21 K:BB across 123 innings this season. His next start is lined up for next weekend at home against the Guardians.

Nathan Eovaldi impresses with another scoreless performance, strengthening his Cy Young candidacy with a 1.38 ERA.

Nathan Eovaldi lanzó ocho entradas impecables, Rowdy Tellez conectó un sencillo de dos carreras en un turno de diez lanzamientos en la octava