Jacob deGrom Makes a Splash in His Return to Texas
ARLINGTON, TX – Jacob deGrom is back in action, and if his return game is anything to go by, he’s still got that blazing fastball we all love. In a thrilling matchup against the Seattle Mariners, the two-time Cy Young winner pitched for the Texas Rangers on a sunny Friday evening. Although the Rangers ended up losing 5-4, deGrom’s performance gave fans something to cheer about.
A Stellar Comeback Performance
deGrom took the mound and delivered an impressive 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out four. His first strikeout was nothing short of jaw-dropping as he hit a whopping 98.7 mph – a clear reminder of why he’s considered one of the best pitchers in the game. Picture this: the crowd erupted as he cranked it up for those fastballs. If there was any doubt about his skills, those numbers laid that to rest pretty quickly!
Pitch Smart, Pitch Efficient
Even though he was limited to just 61 pitches on Friday, deGrom managed to keep things interesting on the mound. He worked with a mix of 31 sliders and 26 fastballs, making sure to keep the hitters guessing. Despite not hitting the triple-digit speeds we’re used to from his prime years, he still generated 10 whiffs on 31 swings, and there wasn’t a single pitch that clocked in below 96 mph. Talk about commanding the game.
Team Challenges Ahead
Unfortunately, Friday’s game wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine for the Rangers. A heart-stopping three-run homer from Julio Rodriguez in the eighth inning turned the tables and allowed the Mariners to claim victory. With a record of 71-77 and sitting 7.5 games back from the final AL wild-card spot, it puts Texas in a bit of a tight spot as they try to figure out how to finish the season on a high note.
The Rangers are also dealing with their own set of challenges, like the absence of Corey Seager who’s out for the remainder of the season due to a sports hernia surgery. Yes, they enjoyed the sweetness of winning the World Series last year, but it also means there are higher expectations going forward. With just 14 games left, they’ll need to rally hard to salvage the season.
Looking Towards the Future
So what does deGrom’s return mean for the Rangers moving forward? Well, for one, it’s about taking it slow and easy with the ace as they gradually increase his workload. The focus now is on making sure he’s healthy and ready for the 2025 season, which has become the main priority for Texas. The team is aware of deGrom’s injury history and knows that building him back up to a full starter’s workload is key.
Even though they’re facing a struggle to keep pace this season, the presence of a healthy deGrom gives Rangers fans reason to feel optimistic. If he can continue to showcase his talent and stay on the mound, paired with the young and seasoned players the team already has, there’s a chance to pull together a strong team for 2025.
In Conclusion
While Friday’s game may not have ended the way the Rangers wanted, having Jacob deGrom back is undoubtedly a major boost to the team’s morale. As he continues to ramp up his pitches and ease back into the swing of things, fans will be eagerly awaiting what he brings next. After all, baseball is all about the ups and downs, and today provided some real promise for what lies ahead!
