The Texas Rangers plan to rely on their ace pitcher, Jacob deGrom, for Tuesday’s game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, as they face off against the Oakland Athletics in the second game of their three-game series. This Jacob deGrom Rangers outing marks his 19th start of the season, with deGrom holding a 9-2 record and a 2.32 ERA heading into the contest against Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn.
Rangers’ Momentum Builds After Monday’s Victory
The Rangers carried momentum from their 7-2 win on Monday, fueled by powerful hitting including a three-run home run from Michael Helman and a solo blast by newly recalled Josh Jung. Rookie pitcher Jack Leiter also contributed a strong start, helping the team maintain an impressive run. Texas has secured victories in six of their last eight games and won their last two series against division leaders, demonstrating their rising form.
Athletics Struggle as Season Progresses
The Athletics have experienced difficulty lately, dropping three of their last four games and falling to a 3-5 record against the Rangers this year. On Monday, the Athletics faced another setback when outfielder Denzel Clarke was placed on the injured list due to a right adductor strain. This injury threatens to sideline Clarke for multiple weeks, impacting Oakland’s lineup depth.
“It’s probably going to be a couple of weeks (before Clarke can begin working his way back),”
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay stated on Monday.
“Had this injury not taken place and he’d finished the rest of the season, I was confident that we could have gotten him close to 300 at-bats. We’re just hoping that he can get back with us at some point this year and finish off the season.”
deGrom’s Performance and Recent Rest Boost Confidence
Jacob deGrom has not started a game since skipping his usual rotation slot after the All-Star break, a strategy designed to preserve his stamina for the season’s critical final stretch. His last outing on July 12, a six-inning performance in Houston, saw him allow just two solo home runs, yielding two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts. Over his previous eight appearances, deGrom has posted a 5-0 record with no losses and three no-decisions.
His last defeat came on May 26 at home against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he gave up two runs over five and a third innings. The Rangers manager, Bruce Bochy, highlighted deGrom’s effortless approach on the mound, observing that the pitcher
“is just so happy that he feels good”
and
“he’s back having fun playing the game.”
“The thing about Jacob is it’s so effortless,”
Bochy said.
“Not a lot of stressful innings. As much as anything with Jacob is that he’s just so happy that he feels good. He’s back having fun playing the game.”
deGrom’s History Against Oakland and Ginn’s Challenge
In four career appearances against the Athletics, deGrom sports a 2-1 record with a 3.38 ERA. This season, he has faced Oakland twice, winning at home on April 29 and earning a no-decision in an earlier road game. Across those games, he allowed only two runs on ten hits, striking out 13 batters and issuing no walks, showcasing his dominance.
Opposing Texas on Tuesday, J.T. Ginn will be aiming to improve his record after a 1-2 season start with a 4.91 ERA. Ginn has faced the Rangers twice in his career, posting a 1-0 record but surrendering three runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision performance on April 24.
Implications for the Rangers in the Season’s Stretch
With the Texas Rangers riding a wave of success and deGrom poised to deliver another strong outing, Tuesday’s game could reinforce their standing as serious contenders. The team’s recent ability to win against leading division teams, combined with deGrom’s effective pitching and rest strategy, bodes well for their postseason ambitions. Meanwhile, the Athletics will need to adjust to roster setbacks as they seek to counter Texas’s surge.