Can Jacob deGrom (6-2, 2.19 ERA) stop the Rangers' skid vs. the Pirates on June 20? Texas needs its ace to deliver against Pittsburgh to stay in the hunt.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Texas Rangers are in desperate need of a win, and they're handing the ball to the one man they trust to deliver it. Ace Jacob deGrom is set to take the mound in Pittsburgh tonight, tasked with the heavy burden of snapping the team's frustrating three-game losing streak as they open a pivotal series against the Pirates.
With a 13-23 road record and playoff odds sitting at just 16.6%, the Rangers need their ace to be an ace.
When a team is scuffling, it looks to its stopper. For the Rangers, that man is unequivocally Jacob deGrom. Sporting a stellar 6-2 record and a minuscule 2.19 ERA, deGrom has been the beacon of consistency in the rotation. Projections give him a 65% chance of a quality start tonight against the Pirates' Mike Burrows, and the Rangers will need every bit of that dominance. A strong outing from deGrom isn't just a hope; it's the team's clearest path back to the win column.
While deGrom handles his business on the mound, the offense has to wake up and provide some support. The Rangers have relied on a core group of hitters, but they'll need to string together some runs at PNC Park. Josh Smith has been a pleasant surprise, leading the team with a .288 batting average, while the power comes from Wyatt Langford (13 HR) and the run production from Adolis García (35 RBI). Against a struggling Pirates team, this is a prime opportunity for the bats to come alive and ease the pressure on their pitching staff.
Let's not mince words: this is a critical juncture in the season. Sitting at 36-39 and 4th in a tough AL West, the Rangers can't afford to let this slide continue. Manager Bruce Bochy is holding the course, with no roster shakeups announced, meaning the solution must come from within the current clubhouse. This series in Pittsburgh is a chance to build momentum and improve a dismal 13-23 road record before the season slips further away.
Tonight is more than just the first game of a weekend series; it's a litmus test. Can the Rangers' ace stop the bleeding and set a positive tone for this crucial road trip? All eyes will be on PNC Park to see if deGrom can deliver another masterful performance and if the offense can provide the support needed to get this team back on track. A win tonight could be the spark that reignites their season.
