The Texas Rangers made a significant decision during the MLB offseason by re-signing starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to a three-year, $75 million contract. This move aimed to solidify their rotation alongside Jacob deGrom, providing the elite starting pitching necessary to compete with the top teams in the American League. So far in the 2025 season, this plan has come to fruition, as Eovaldi and deGrom form one of the most formidable starting pitcher duos in baseball.
deGrom has impressed with sustained dominance, maintaining control over games despite adjusting his pitching velocity to manage his health. His consistent performance earned him a spot on the AL All-Star Team and he reliably pitches whenever called upon. Meanwhile, Eovaldi has been equally critical to the Rangers’ success, only briefly sidelined by an injury near the end of May that forced him to miss a month.
Nathan Eovaldi’s Outstanding Season and Place Among ERA Leaders
Nathan Eovaldi’s 2025 season stands out as historically remarkable. Entering his 20th start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he holds an exceptional 1.38 ERA, one of the best recorded since baseball’s integration era. According to statistics shared by nugget chef on X, among pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched in their first 20 starts, Eovaldi could finish the season with the second-lowest ERA in history if he continues this level of performance.
The all-time lowest mark is held by Bob Gibson with an ERA of 1.01 in 1968, closely followed by Luis Tiant’s 1.36 in the same year. Tied for third are Zack Greinke in 2015 and Don Drysdale in 1968, each with 1.37 ERAs. Other notable pitchers on the list include Gaylord Perry and Roger Clemens, who posted ERAs of 1.40 in 1974 and 2005, respectively.
Nathan Eovaldi enters his 20th start tonight with a 1.38 ERA.Lowest ERAs, first 20 starts since integration (min. 100 IP):Bob Gibson (1968): 1.01Luis Tiant (1968): 1.36Zack Greinke (2015): 1.37Don Drysdale (1968): 1.37Gaylord Perry (1974): 1.40Roger Clemens (2005): 1.40 — nugget chef (@jayhaykid) August 11, 2025
Since returning from his injury, Eovaldi has demonstrated remarkable resilience and effectiveness, yielding just six runs (five earned) across 41.2 innings. Despite giving up three runs in his first game back against the Seattle Mariners, he quickly regained form, most recently delivering eight shutout innings against the New York Yankees, boosting the Rangers in their climb toward the wild card in the playoff standings.
On every occasion he has taken the mound, Eovaldi has left no doubt about his capability to position the Rangers for a win, crucially contributing to the team’s playoff aspirations.
Impact on the Rangers’ Season and Future Outlook
Nathan Eovaldi’s historic start not only highlights his individual excellence but also reflects the Texas Rangers’ strategic strength in building a competitive pitching staff. As the season progresses, maintaining this level of performance from Eovaldi could place him among the all-time greats concerning earned run averages in the early stages of a season. His ability to recover swiftly from injury and continue dominating suggests that he will remain a key player in the Rangers’ efforts to secure a postseason berth.
The lasting impact of his achievements might also set a new standard for future Texas Rangers pitchers and reinforce the importance of investing in elite starters to match the high-quality pitching seen elsewhere in the American League. Fans and analysts will be closely watching Eovaldi’s upcoming starts, especially against tough opponents like the Arizona Diamondbacks, to see if he can climb higher on the historic ERA leaderboard.