Eovaldi’s third victory in these playoffs establishes him as the first pitcher to achieve such a feat, showcasing his resilience and diverse pitching repertoire that renders him formidable to opposing hitters in October.

“We need a pillar.”

There are numerous ways to characterize Nathan Eovaldi, the right-handed pitcher for Texas. “One of the best teammates I’ve ever had,” remarked Texas catcher Jonah Heim. “The ultimate competitor,” stated Texas coach Bobby Wilson. “A person who has provided me with life-changing quotes that extend beyond baseball,” reflected Texas first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.

However, Eovaldi’s significance to the Rangers, as evidenced not only by his ALCS 5–4 victory on Monday but also by the manner in which he achieved it, stemmed from a conversation that general manager Chris Young had last September during breakfast with Boston coach, friend, and fellow Princeton alumnus Will Venable. Young was compiling his list of free-agent targets.

He inquired about Red Sox pitcher Eovaldi from Venable. “A big-game pitcher. A winner,” was Venable’s contribution to the Eovaldi lexicon.

Young recognized that the team already had established pillars in position players like Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. With the Rangers having endured six consecutive losing seasons, Young understood the necessity of adding someone to the pitching staff who possessed a winning background and exceptional intangibles to chart a path forward. At that time, he wasn’t certain if the budget would permit a pursuit of Jacob deGrom, as it ultimately did.

“We pursued Evo because we aimed to cultivate a pitching culture,” Young explains. “We sought to instill a winning mindset in our pitching.

“We pursued Evo for the very reasons we are witnessing now. He’s a proven winner, a leader, and he elevates the performance of those around him while fostering team cohesion. He has exceeded all our expectations.”

The Rangers are two wins from the World Series two years from losing 102 games. They have run the postseason table for seven games after blowing the division title by getting shut out on the season’s final day, forcing them into what has been a 22-day odyssey with one home game.

“I was on a cross-country flight instead of being home with my puppy,” Lowe says.

Mondo the German Shepherd has had to wait as the Rangers grow the bonds of a champion that come from the other side of adversity. It’s what has forged Eovaldi, the survivor of two Tommy John surgeries and six teams.

“The best teammate you could ever want,” Lowe says. “He’s talked to me about some things that have had an impact on me. His quotes are something I cherish.”