Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Three pitchers who dominated the month of May

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 6/2/23

With May over, let's take a look at three pitchers who had batters throwing tantrums in the batters box.

With pitchers adjusting to a new set of rules, including the pitch clock and ban of the shift, it didn't take too long for these three to turn things around on the mound.

Look for pitching to continue to improve as teams continue to get a better grasp on the new rule changes.

Nate Eovaldi, Texas Rangers

Focusing on upgrades to their rotation this offseason, the Rangers gave Eovaldi two-year contract worth $34M.

Eovaldi had a slow start to the season, posting a 3.93 ERA while allowing opponents to hit .266 against him in the month of April.

May has been a different story, as he's allowed only four runs over 37 2/3 innings pitched while posting a a 4-0 record, 0.96 ERA and one complete game. His efforts have helped the Rangers climb to the top of the AL West standings.

Nate was nasty in May.

Nathan Eovaldi has been named Rangers Player of the Month! pic.twitter.com/80O0H9KoB5
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) June 1, 2023

Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants

Like Eovaldi, Webb struggled to begin the season but has bounced back in a big way. Signed to a long-term contract extension, Webb has been one of the best pitchers in the National League since his slow start.

2023 NL Pitching WAR Leaders:

Marcus Stroman (2.8)
Bryce Elder (2.3)
Logan Webb (2.2)
Josiah Gray (2.0)

All Leaders: https://t.co/zpEDv0nbel pic.twitter.com/0urv17hF1I
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) May 30, 2023

Making five starts in May, Webb posted a 3-0 record with a 1.30 ERA while surrendering only one home run in 34 1/3 innings pitched.

Webb had one of the best starts of his career in May, going seven innings versus the Milwaukee Brewers and striking out 11 batters while going toe to toe with fromer NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes.

Miles Mikolas, St. Louis Cardinals

We're sensing a theme here.

Like Eovaldi and Webb, Mikolas got off to a slow start in 2023, posting a 1-1 record and 5.97 ERA across six starts in March and April.

Mikolas dominated in May, going 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA while cutting down on his home runs allowed by only giving up two compared to the six he gave up in his first six starts.

He also added his second 10 strikeout game of his career and his first since 2019 against the in-state rival Kansas City Royals.

Pure dominance from Miles Mikolas pic.twitter.com/3kMYCPlUT2
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 31, 2023

The Cardinals will need Mikolas to continue his strong pitching as they look to claw their way out of the bottom of the National League Central division, one they were favored to win before the season started.

More must-reads: