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.

Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi is in the midst of a historically good season. He is not among the statistical best in baseball this season according to league leaderboards. That may change soon.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched eight sharp innings, Rowdy Tellez blooped a two-run single on a 10-pitch at-bat in the eighth, and the Texas Rangers spoiled Aaron Judge’s return with a 2-0 victory over the New

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?

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

We won and that’s all that matters,” Eovaldi said after allowing five runs, including three homers in five innings of work Monday.