0-1 – An inauspicious start as Rangers lose 5-3 to Phillies on Opening Day

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 26: The Texas Rangers stand on the line for introductions on Opening Day against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on March 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Texas Rangers scored three runs but the Philadelphia Phillies scored five runs. The last time the Rangers began a season against the Phillies, they won the World Series.

That’s certainly a positive omen as we begin this 2026 season journey. Those kinds of vibes didn’t last very long, however, as the Rangers whiffed on a scoring opportunity in their first half inning and then trailed 2-0 five pitches into Philadelphia’s first crack at the new campaign. Opening Day starter Nathan Eovaldi has been excellent over his career in games where there are a lot of eyeballs on the action.

He’s been great during his time in Texas. He won the franchise a dang World Series. He was enjoying arguably the best season by a starting pitcher in franchise history last year before it was derailed by ailments.

Eovaldi is good for days like this. You feel comfortable with him as your Opening Day guy. Despite all that, Eovaldi allowed a two-strike, two-run dong to Kyle Schwarber just two batters into this one.