Nathan Eovaldi delivered a standout performance in his return to the mound, pitching five scoreless innings while allowing only three hits and striking out seven, despite issuing four walks. Eovaldi, now 8-3 with a sparkling 1.50 ERA, maintained his composure under pressure and effectively stifled Atlanta’s opportunities with runners in scoring position. This outing came after Eovaldi missed his previous start due to back tightness, and his efforts were instrumental in securing the Rangers’ fourth straight win.
Offensively, Texas scored in each of the first, second, fourth, and fifth innings before breaking the game open with a four-run eighth. Sam Haggerty set the tone early by singling, stealing his tenth base, and scoring the game’s first run on a Marcus Semien sacrifice fly. Jonah Heim added to the tally with his ninth home run of the season in the second inning. Wyatt Langford contributed a two-out RBI double in the fourth, and Haggerty drove in another run with a double in the fifth. The big eighth inning was fueled by a combination of three singles, two walks, a hit batter, and another sacrifice fly, giving the Rangers a comfortable cushion.
For Atlanta, Michael Harris II provided a bright spot with a solo home run in the seventh, his eighth of the year, but the Braves struggled offensively, managing only three runs and falling to a 44-58 record. Starter Joey Wentz allowed four runs (three earned) over 4 1/3 innings, striking out six but ultimately being outmatched by Texas’ consistent offense. Austin Riley returned to the Braves’ lineup after an injury but went hitless in four at-bats.
The Rangers’ pitching staff had previously allowed two or fewer runs in a club-record-tying seven straight games, a streak that ended when Caleb Boushley surrendered two runs in the ninth. Corey Seager extended his on-base streak to 25 games, reaching base twice via walks, marking the third consecutive season he’s posted a streak of at least 24 games.
Looking ahead, the series continues with Rangers rookie right-hander Kumar Rocker (4-4, 5.66 ERA) set to face Braves right-hander Grant Holmes (4-9, 3.81 ERA). Oddsmakers favor Texas on the moneyline (-155), with a projected total of 8 runs for the next matchup and the Rangers given a 56% win probability versus the Braves’ 44%.
From a betting perspective, the Rangers’ recent form and Eovaldi’s dominance make them a strong pick, but with both teams capable of producing runs, the over on total runs is also an intriguing play. As the Rangers continue their push in the standings, this series remains crucial for both teams, particularly for Atlanta as they look to reverse their recent struggles.