Rangers Gear Up for Astros Showdown with deGrom on the Mound
The Texas Rangers are set to continue their pivotal three-game series against the Houston Astros on Saturday night at Globe Life Field. As the team battles through a series of injuries, their depth will be tested as they seek to solidify their playoff hopes.
Challenges Ahead for the Rangers
In a challenging start to this series, the Rangers have been forced to adapt to unexpected setbacks. Just before Friday’s contest, outfielder Adolis Garcia, known for his strong performances against the Astros, was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a quad strain. To fill the gap, the Rangers called up Dustin Harris from the minors.
In a further blow to their pitching staff, Texas moved Jon Gray to the 60-day injured list, effectively ending his season. Meanwhile, shortstop Corey Seager made a rare appearance in the clubhouse following an emergency appendectomy, but he has yet to resume baseball activities. With the postseason looming, the remaining players will need to step up and carry the team forward.
Game Details and Viewing Options
Game Day: Saturday, September 6
Game Time: 6:15 p.m. CT
Watch: Fox
Listen: 105.3 The Fan (Rangers), KBME 790 AM (Astros)
Location: Globe Life Field, Arlington
Pitching Matchup: deGrom vs. Brown
Rangers: Jacob deGrom
On the mound for the Rangers will be right-hander Jacob deGrom, who boasts an impressive record of 11 wins and a 2.69 ERA this season. Despite his stellar stats, including 161 strikeouts and a .194 batting average against him, deGrom has faced challenges post-All-Star break. In his last seven outings, he has a 3.79 ERA and has struggled to maintain his usual dominance, allowing at least one home run in seven of his last ten starts. The Rangers are closely monitoring his workload, as deGrom has only pitched five innings in each of his last three starts.
Astros: Hunter Brown
Opposing deGrom will be Hunter Brown, a promising young right-hander for the Astros with a record of 10 wins and a remarkable 2.34 ERA. While his recent performance has been solid, going 1-3 in his last seven starts, he has maintained a stellar 1.69 ERA with 38 strikeouts over 42.2 innings. Run support has been a concern for Brown, as the Astros’ offense has been inconsistent lately. Batters are hitting a mere .189 against him this season, underscoring his potential as a future ace for Houston.
Rangers’ Injury Report
The Rangers are contending with a wave of injuries that have tested their resilience:
Danny Coulombe, LHP: 15-day IL, left shoulder fatigue (eligible to return September 16)
Nathan Eovaldi, RHP: 15-day IL, right rotator cuff strain (expected to miss the remainder of the regular season)
Adolis Garcia, OF: 10-day IL, left quad strain (eligible to return September 16)
Corey Seager, SS: 10-day IL, appendectomy (eligible to return September 8)
Marcus Semien, 2B: 10-day IL, left foot contusion, including a fracture and a sprain (four to six weeks recovery)
Sam Haggerty, OF: 10-day IL, left ankle inflammation (expected to return this season)
Additionally, the Rangers are dealing with long-term injuries:
Evan Carter, OF: 60-day IL, right wrist fracture (out for the season)
Josh Sborz, RHP: 60-day IL, recovering from shoulder surgery
Tyler Mahle, RHP: 60-day IL, right shoulder fatigue (rehab in progress)
Cody Bradford, LHP: 60-day IL, left elbow sprain (season-ending surgery)
Jon Gray, P: 60-day IL, right shoulder nerve irritation (season-ending move)
As the Rangers navigate through these challenges, their ability to perform under pressure will be critical in their quest for postseason success. With deGrom leading the way, all eyes will be on Globe Life Field as they face their division rivals, the Astros.
