The Rangers have not had one pitcher make two Opening Day starts in a row since Kevin Millwood in 2006-09. Entering this year, only six pitchers in club history (since 1972) have made consecutive Opening Day starts for Texas.

SURPRISE, Ariz. - The only element of Surprise was the dateline. The Rangers announced the obvious on Sunday: Nathan Eovaldi will, for the second straight season, be the opening day starter against Boston on March 27.

This is the second consecutive year that the Rangers will have Eovaldi as their Opening Day starter. He held the Chicago Cubs to two runs in six innings on Opening Day last year i