The Texas Rangers look to continue their strong second-half performance as they host the Atlanta Braves for a three-game interleague series starting Friday in Arlington, Texas. The matchup features the Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi, whose pitching performance has been exceptional, facing off against the Braves’ Joey Wentz.
Pitching Matchup Highlights: Eovaldi vs. Wentz
Texas will send veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (7-3, 1.58 ERA) to the mound, while Atlanta counters with left-hander Joey Wentz, who carries a combined 2-1 record and a 5.71 ERA across three major league teams this season. Eovaldi has been a key figure in the Rangers’ bullpen alongside star Jacob deGrom, maintaining a dominant presence with 94 strikeouts in 91 innings over 16 starts.
Texas Rangers Showing Strong Form Since the All-Star Break
The Rangers have thrived since the All-Star break, winning five of six games and climbing above .500 for the first time since May 17. Their current run includes nine wins in 12 games, equaling their best stretch of the season accomplished earlier in the year. This hot streak has positioned Texas as a competitive force as they face off with struggling opponents.
Atlanta Braves Struggle to Maintain Early Season Success
In contrast, the Braves are facing difficulties, having lost four of their last six games and dropping two straight prior to arriving in Texas. Their most recent defeat was a 9-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants, highlighting the challenges the team must overcome to regain their winning form.
Eovaldi’s Status and Injury Update Heading into Start
Eovaldi was originally scheduled to pitch earlier in the week but was sidelined due to back stiffness. Manager Bruce Bochy opted to push his start to Friday, giving Eovaldi 12 days of rest since his previous outing on July 13 against the Houston Astros. Eovaldi described his back issue as a sudden, unexpected event:
It was just kind of one of those freak incidents,
Eovaldi said Tuesday.
I was just walking down the hall and doing like a little side oblique stretch, and just felt something grab in the middle part of my back and lock up. I guess the body goes into protect mode and tries and protect everything in there and muscles were just super tight.
—Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers pitcher
Despite the scare, Eovaldi has remained effective after returning from a triceps injury that kept him out for about a month. Since June 27, he is 3-0 in four starts and has lowered his ERA to an exceptional 1.58.
Eovaldi’s Track Record Against the Braves
Over 17 career starts against Atlanta, Eovaldi holds a 3-4 record with a 3.00 ERA. He has pitched 105 innings, allowing 36 runs (35 earned) on 90 hits and 36 walks, while striking out 92 batters. This history suggests he is well-equipped to handle the Braves’ lineup once more.
Joey Wentz’s Role in Braves’ Rotation Transition
Joey Wentz, acquired via waivers from Minnesota on July 11, has appeared in 27 games this season but started only once. In that lone start against the New York Yankees last Saturday, he recorded four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits but receiving no decision in a 12-9 loss for Atlanta. This outing marked Wentz’s first start of the season and a season-high 59 pitches as the Braves work to transition him into a full-time starting pitcher.
Wentz described his approach to the game in simple terms:
Before I got here, and really since I’ve been here, just trying to simplify the game,
Wentz explained,
simplify the matchups, not really dig too deep on anything, trust my stuff and just kind of get to a place where I’m trying to execute as many pitches as I can,
—Joey Wentz, Atlanta Braves pitcher
His overall numbers against the Rangers include a 0-2 record over four appearances, two of which were starts, with a 7.11 ERA. He has allowed 12 runs (10 earned) over 12 2/3 innings while striking out 12 and walking 10.
Implications for the Series and What to Expect Next
This series offers an opportunity for the Rangers to solidify their upward trajectory against a struggling Braves team. Nathan Eovaldi’s pitching performance remains central to Texas’ success, especially as they fight to maintain momentum with key contributors like Jacob deGrom also in the rotation. Conversely, Atlanta looks to Wentz and other pitchers to stabilize their game as they face tough road challenges.
With Eovaldi’s health seemingly stable and his recent performances strong, the Rangers have considerable confidence entering the series. How the Braves respond will be critical for their efforts to reverse recent losses and regain competitiveness in the interleague matchup.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How many Tommy John surgeries has Nathan Eovaldi had?
A. Eovaldi has a long record of injuries. Over his 13 seasons, he has made 30 starts only twice. He has faced serious health issues, like undergoing two Tommy John surgeries, along with several shoulder injuries.
Q. Is Nathan Eovaldi married?
A. Nathan Eovaldi and his wife, Rebekah, live in Houston with their son and daughter.
Q. How many times has Nathan Eovaldi had Tommy John surgery?
A. Nathan Eovaldi has earned two World Series titles since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery. For instance, Eovaldi had the surgery twice, first in 2007 and again in 2016. Despite this, at 33, he remains among the top pitchers in baseball.
Q. How fast is Nathan Eovaldi’s fastball?
A. In 2025, their main pitches include a Splitter at 88 mph, a Fastball at 94 mph, and a Curveball at 76 mph. They occasionally use a Cutter at 91 mph and a Sinker at 94 mph. The Slider, thrown at 86 mph, is used infrequently.