Jacob deGrom Delivers in Second Start for Texas Rangers

After an unimpressive debut, ace Jacob deGrom befuddled the Baltimore Orioles and won his first game for the Texas Rangers.

Kade Kistner | Apr 6, 2023

In this story:

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers (4-2) got back to their winning ways with a 5-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Field.

Orioles highly-touted pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez made his Major League debut, generating plenty of headlines going into the game. Coming out of it, the guy hurling for the Rangers was the story.

After a lackluster start to the 2023 MLB season and his Rangers career, Jacob deGrom rebounded and righted the ship in second start. Over the course of six innings, deGrom allowed just two earned runs and fanned 11, looking nearly unhittable.

The lone runs against deGrom came in the fifth inning when the Orioles were able to scrape together two on a fielder's choice and RBI-single.

After that blip, deGrom quickly came back out and put the Baltimore lineup down in order.

It's the type of start the team expects from their ace on a five-year, $185 million contract. He is an ace that is supposed to stop a losing skid and get the team back on track. He did exactly that, as a the Rangers snapped a two-game skid.

It's clear deGrom was able to make some adjustments in between starts. He gave up five runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in the season opener.

"Opening Day, I obviously didn't throw the ball well," deGrom said. "But looking at it, you know they did a good job of hitting some good pitches. So those ones are alright.

"Maybe some small adjustments but like I said, just move the ball around more, not let them look at one part of the plate. That's what we were able to do [Wednesday]."

deGrom is the type of pitcher that is able to make those adjustments and do it quickly. He proved that he can do it not only in between starts, but in between innings, as showcased against Baltimore.

Texas has now seen exactly what the right-hander can provide on the mound. If his second start was any indication, the best is yet to come from deGrom in a Rangers jersey.

deGrom is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals at Globe Life Field.

More From SI’s Inside The Rangers:

You can find Kade Kistner on Twitter @KadeKistner.

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook and Twitter.

Published Apr 6, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies, Cubs and Astros. He is also an editor for Inside the Rangers. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.