Astros Brown, Rangers Eovaldi Duel Amid AL West Race

The MLB All-Star break in 2025 is preceded by a highly anticipated pitching duel between two standout pitchers: Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros and Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers. Brown, a first-time All-Star, has been exceptional this season with a 9-3 record, 2.21 ERA, and dominant fastball-slider combo that has helped the Astros maintain their lead in the AL West. Eovaldi, a veteran and former All-Star, has posted a 6-3 record with an impressive 1.16 ERA and recently returned to form after an injury, providing stability to the Rangers' rotation. Both pitchers enter the final game before the break on hot streaks, with Brown winning seven of his last eight starts and Eovaldi showing strong command with his power fastball and splitter. This matchup is seen as a critical and intense contest with potential playoff implications, highlighting the strength of each team's pitching staff amid the regular season. Additionally, Astros pitching coach Josh Miller praised Brown's consistency and adaptability, noting his improvement in stamina and pitching strategy during the season.