Coming into the weekend, Jacob Latz thought he would have a bullpen-view of a pitching matchup for the ages between the best pitcher in baseball, Tarik Skubal, and his superstar teammate Nathan Eovaldi.

However, he found out his view would be a little closer, less than 24 hours before first pitch, when it was announced that Eovaldi had been scratched due to back tightness.

“I was excited, amped up for the opportunity, especially on Sunday Night Baseball,” Latz said. “I was looking back a few days before at that matchup, Evo versus Skubal. That would have been a cool one to be a part of. That didn’t happen, but yeah, it was just a good day to take advantage of an opportunity.”

Latz took full advantage of that opportunity, throwing five innings of one-run baseball in an eventual 2-1 Rangers loss to the Tigers.

Despite coming out of the bullpen for most of the season, it’s not the first time that Latz has been thrown into a starter’s role.

Latz also stepped up on June 8th in Washington, helping the Rangers claim a 4-2 bullpen day win by going 3.1 strong innings, allowing just two runs in an effort where he outshone his stat line.
Just weeks later in Baltimore, Latz took the ball in Baltimore and carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning before allowing a hit and an eventual two earned runs.

In his three starts, opponents are hitting just .191 with a .296 OPS and a .277 SLG with just two extra base hits off Latz.

However, that success hasn’t just been limited to when Latz has started games.

In his last 15 games, Latz has posted a 2.38 ERA, lowering his season ERA from 4.76 down to 2.89.

“I think he [Latz] showed moxy there [last night] with how he was able to come back and save the run there [2nd inning, got a big strikeout with runners in scoring position, one down”. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said.

“He’s just done a terrific job wherever we’ve put him, spot start, bullpen. Terrific job by Latzy.” Bochy finished.

The Rangers might not know when or where they’ll need Jacob Latz next, but they know they can count on him — and for a team chasing a playoff spot, that’s immensely valuable.