Newly-named All-Star Jacob deGrom starts for the Texas Rangers vs. the Angels on July 7, 2025. Can the ace stop a skid in this massive AL West showdown?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Forget Sunday's frustrations. While the 4-1 series finale loss to the Padres left a sour taste, the Texas Rangers have no time to dwell on it. The focus immediately shifts to Anaheim, where newly-minted All-Star Jacob deGrom takes the mound tonight to open a massive four-game series against the second-place Los Angeles Angels. It's a classic case of 'out with the old, in with the new' as the Rangers look to their ace to slam the door on a brief skid and assert their dominance in the division.
With a sterling 9-2 record and a 2.13 ERA, newly-named All-Star Jacob deGrom is exactly the stopper the Rangers need to open a crucial series against the Angels.
Before the Rangers even board the bus for Angel Stadium, the best news of the day dropped: Jacob deGrom is an American League All-Star. It's a well-deserved honor for the ace, who has been nothing short of spectacular, posting a 9-2 record with a minuscule 2.13 ERA. He's been the stabilizing force, the shutdown arm, and the undisputed leader of this rotation. His selection provides a jolt of positive energy for a team coming off a tough loss, and his start tonight couldn't be more perfectly timed.
Sunday's game at Petco Park was one to forget. The offense sputtered after scoring its only run in the first inning, managing just six hits and leaving a small village on the basepaths. Jack Leiter battled but was tagged with his sixth loss (4-6), giving up two runs over 3.2 innings. Fernando Tatis Jr. was a thorn in the Rangers' side all night, reaching base four times and driving in the go-ahead run. A successfully challenged play at the plate in the fourth prevented further damage, but it wasn't enough to spark a comeback against a tough Padres bullpen, capped by Robert Suarez's MLB-leading 25th save.
Despite the loss, the Rangers (9-5) woke up this morning still perched atop the AL West. However, the view is getting crowded. The Angels (8-5) are breathing down their necks, making this four-game set in Anaheim the most important series of the season so far. This isn't just another road trip; it's a chance to create some much-needed separation or risk surrendering the top spot. Every pitch, every at-bat carries a little extra weight this week.
The sting of a series-ending loss is real, but the opportunity for immediate redemption is even greater. With an All-Star on the hill and first place on the line, tonight's game in Anaheim has all the makings of a classic. It's time to turn the page and let the ace eat.
