Rangers Gear Up for Crucial Series Against Astros with deGrom in Command
The Texas Rangers return to Globe Life Field, poised to confront the Houston Astros in a pivotal three-game series. This matchup comes on the heels of a relatively successful road trip where the Rangers managed a 4-2 record. However, the sting of losing the final two games against the Arizona Diamondbacks has left the team yearning for more. With a record of 72-69, the Rangers find themselves needing to capitalize on this opportunity to reclaim their position in the AL Wild Card race.
The Stakes of the Series
As the Astros arrive, they do so after a series against the New York Yankees, holding a lead of no more than six games over the Rangers, contingent on the outcome of that series. For Texas, the stakes couldn’t be higher; anything short of a sweep would complicate their pursuit of the Astros, who are currently in control of the playoff landscape. A strong performance—at least two wins out of three—would certainly bolster the Rangers’ standing, especially as they trail the Seattle Mariners by 1.5 games for the final Wild Card slot.
Pitching Matchups Favor the Rangers
Texas has strategically lined up three formidable pitchers to face Houston, starting with Merrill Kelly on Friday.
Friday: Merrill Kelly Takes the Mound
Kelly (11-7, 3.24) is fresh off a commendable start against the Oakland Athletics, where he surrendered six hits and three earned runs over 6.1 innings, striking out two without issuing any walks. Initially considered a surplus addition to the roster, Kelly has proven invaluable, especially with Tyler Mahle sidelined and Nathan Eovaldi out for the season. In his six starts with the Rangers, he boasts a 2-1 record and a 3.31 ERA, with an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio of 149 to 46 across 164 innings. Opponents have struggled against him, hitting just .208, which could bode well against a Houston lineup that has been inconsistent.
Saturday: Jacob deGrom’s Turn
The spotlight then shifts to Jacob deGrom (11-6, 2.69) on Saturday. While he hasn’t quite reached his usual dominance since the All-Star break, he showed glimpses of his potential in his last outing, allowing only two hits and no runs in five innings against the Athletics. Despite a 2-4 record with a 3.79 ERA over his last seven starts, deGrom’s strikeout prowess remains intact, with 48 strikeouts in 38 innings. However, managing his workload has been a challenge, as he has pitched just five innings in each of his last three appearances. His WHIP stands impressively at 0.92, but the recent trend of home runs—yielding at least one in seven of his last ten games—could pose a concern for the Rangers.
Sunday: Patrick Corbin Rounds Out the Rotation
On Sunday, Patrick Corbin (7-9, 4.48) will look to solidify the Rangers’ chances. After a rocky start post-All-Star break, Corbin has recently found his rhythm, including a solid outing against the Angels where he pitched eight innings, allowing just three hits. In his last game against Arizona, he faced challenges, yielding five earned runs in 5.2 innings, but his ability to go deep into games will be crucial. With 114 strikeouts and a .266 batting average against him, Corbin will need to harness his recent success to preserve the bullpen’s stamina for the series finale.
As the Rangers embark on this crucial series, the potential for redemption in the Wild Card race hangs in the balance. With a strong showing from their pitching staff, they hope to seize control of their playoff destiny against a formidable division rival.
