{"id":656364,"date":"2026-04-01T10:28:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T10:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/656364\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T10:28:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T10:28:18","slug":"rangers-alter-pitching-plans-turn-to-nathan-eovaldi-in-finale-vs-os-field-level-media-professional-sports-content-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/656364\/","title":{"rendered":"Rangers alter pitching plans, turn to Nathan Eovaldi in finale vs. O’s – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Baltimore Orioles don\u2019t want the first week of the season to end with a thud.<\/p>\n

Some of the feel-good moments have faded as they try to get back in a groove when they take on the visiting Texas Rangers in the Wednesday afternoon series finale.<\/p>\n

The Orioles are 2-3 as they prepare to wrap up the season-opening homestand.<\/p>\n

The Rangers, who are 4-1 with a four-game winning streak, will go for the series sweep after earning an 8-5 victory Tuesday. There has been a good mood in the Texas clubhouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only five games in, but it\u2019s a good start,\u201d Texas manager Skip Schumaker said. \u201cI think it starts with the pitching. \u2026 It has been fun to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rangers made an adjustment to their pitching plans for Wednesday. Right-hander Kumar Rocker (4-5, 5.74 ERA in 2025) was slated to make his season debut for Texas, but Schumaker said he would be pushed back. <\/p>\n

Instead, right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (0-1, 9.64) will be on the mound for his second start of the season.<\/p>\n

Eovaldi is 9-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 20 career starts against the Orioles. He won his lone 2025 start vs. Baltimore, throwing five shutout innings.<\/p>\n

There were signs of the Rangers were altering their plans when Rocker warmed up in the bullpen on Tuesday. Schumaker said later that Rocker could have been used in relief if the situation dictated. In 17 career big-league outings over two seasons, Rocker has never faced the Orioles \u2014 and now that won\u2019t happen, at least in a starting role, this week.<\/p>\n

Baltimore will go back to left-hander Trevor Rogers (1-0, 0.00), who threw seven scoreless innings in the opener against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, as their starting pitcher. Rogers permitted three hits and four walks while striking out five.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what an ace does,\u201d Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said. \u201cHe goes out there and sets a tone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rogers is 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA in four career starts against Texas. He dominated the Rangers last year, going 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in two starts.<\/p>\n

The Rangers have scored eight runs in games twice already this season. They had three players, including catcher Danny Jansen, belt a homer in the Tuesday game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking to build off it,\u201d said Jansen, who went 3-for-5 with a three-run shot. \u201cIt\u2019s a very high-energy team.\u201d<\/p>\n

After some miserable stretches with the bats in a few games, the Orioles showed signs of perking up Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur offense did a great job of keeping us in it,\u201d Albernaz said. \u201cThey competed to the last out, and that\u2019s something we can hang our hat on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Orioles hope to get more out of first baseman Pete Alonso after he homered for the first time in a Baltimore uniform on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to get the first one out of the way,\u201d Alonso said. \u201cI\u2019m glad to connect on one.\u201d<\/p>\n

His bat is expected to boost the core of the Orioles\u2019 lineup.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see him get into one,\u201d Albernaz said.<\/p>\n

The Orioles plan to make a roster move on Wednesday because right-hander Zach Eflin, who sustained a right elbow injury Tuesday night during his start, is probably headed to the injury list. Eflin is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone is feeling for Zach right now, but at the end of the day there\u2019s a game tomorrow and there\u2019s a game the next day,\u201d Albernaz said. \u201cOur guys will respond.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n

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