In a surprising turn during Monday’s series opener in Arlington, Texas Rangers’ Jacob deGrom experienced his first career start without recording a single strikeout. Despite being the two-time Cy Young winner and a dominant force over 229 appearances, deGrom was unable to notch a strikeout over 5.1 innings pitched against the Toronto Blue Jays, who secured a 2-1 victory.
Context on deGrom’s Career and 2025 Season
Since his MLB debut in 2014, when deGrom was named the National League Rookie of the Year, he had struck out at least one batter in every outing. Known for maintaining the best strikeout-to-walk ratio in history at 5.40, deGrom’s spotless streak ending is notable. At age 37, he is pursuing his first complete season since 2019 after enduring injuries that limited him to only 20 starts from 2022 through 2024, including an extended period of over 500 days off the mound.
Rangers’ Rotation Strength and Game Impact
The Rangers’ pitching staff remains strong, with teammates Nathan Eovaldi and Tyler Mahle posting impressive ERAs of 1.60 and 1.80, respectively, ranking in the major league top five. However, deGrom’s lack of strikeouts correlated with the Rangers’ inability to secure a win, as they fell short in the close contest against Toronto. The overall team effort contrasts with deGrom’s unusual performance, highlighting the challenges he faces this season.
Looking Forward Amid Challenges
Jacob deGrom’s milestone start without strikeouts is a rare occurrence in his decorated career and stands out in an otherwise competitive 2025 campaign. As he continues to work through health issues and inconsistent play, the Rangers are hopeful he can regain his signature dominance. This game serves as a reminder of the unpredictability in baseball and the resilience required to sustain elite performance over many years.