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9 hours ago
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The long-awaited All-Star break begins tomorrow, but not before two of the best pitchers in baseball square off to try and lead their team to a series win. First-time All-Star Hunter Brown and former All-Star Nathan Eovaldi make for one of the most intense pitching duels we have seen this year.
Brown, who is having a career year, has posted a 9-3 record in 18 starts, with 110 innings pitched, 129 strikeouts, and a 2.21 ERA. Brown has held opponents to a .185 batting average. Brown has been the Astros' ace and has helped keep a very injured pitching rotation afloat.
Eovaldi has posted a 6-3 record in 15 starts, with 83.1 innings pitched, 86 strikeouts, and a 1.16 ERA. Eovaldi has held opponents to a .195 batting average. Eovaldi has been a key part of the Rangers' rotation, which has been one of the strongest in baseball.
Both pitchers enter Sunday’s finale on extended hot streaks. Brown has won seven of his last eight starts. His fastball-slider combination has baffled hitters, and his command has taken a major leap forward this season. What once was raw talent has now matured into elite-level execution. With the Astros looking to take momentum into the All-Star break, Brown will be counted on to set the tone in a game that could have playoff implications down the line.
Eovaldi, meanwhile, has returned to dominant form after a brief stint on the injured list in May. Known for his power fastball and splitter, Eovaldi brings a calm, veteran presence to a Rangers team that has leaned heavily on its rotation during a season offensive slump.
The Astros are in first place in the AL West division, with a 9.5 game lead on the fourth-place Rangers. Both teams are looking for a win to try and build momentum ahead of the All-Star break.
Expect a tight, low-scoring game where one swing or one mistake could decide the series. The stars are out a day early, and with two of the league’s best on the bump, Sunday’s showdown might feel more like an October matchup than July.
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