Jacob deGrom made his intentions clear before the Trade Deadline: he wanted to remain with the Texas Rangers and help the club make another postseason run. On Saturday, the veteran right-hander offered perhaps his strongest evidence yet that he still has plenty to contribute to the team’s ambitions.
With Texas battling to remain in the American League playoff picture, deGrom delivered a much-needed performance in the Rangers’ 5-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Field. The right-hander allowed only one run across five innings, surrendered a home run to Jackson Holliday and struck out nine hitters.
The performance came at an important moment for both deGrom and the Rangers.
Just days earlier, as the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline approached, reports emerged that Texas had explored whether deGrom would consider waiving his no-trade clause. Several clubs were reportedly interested in the accomplished pitcher, creating uncertainty about whether the Rangers would keep their ace.
DeGrom, however, never appeared eager to leave.
The pitcher made it clear that his preference was to stay in Texas, where he believes the Rangers have enough talent to compete. At the same time, he understood that his own performances had not been at the standard he expected. If Texas was going to challenge for a playoff spot, deGrom knew he needed to become a major part of the solution.
His outing against Baltimore was a significant step in that direction.
Before Saturday, deGrom had struggled through a difficult stretch. He entered the contest without a victory since June 30, when he defeated Cleveland. In his previous four starts, he had gone 0-2 with a 6.50 ERA, giving up 13 earned runs over 18 innings.
He also had not completed six innings in any of those appearances.
His most recent outing before Saturday was particularly painful. Against Houston shortly before the Trade Deadline, deGrom surrendered four runs in just 3 1/3 innings as the Rangers lost ground in the American League West race.
Rather than dwell on that performance, deGrom changed his approach against Baltimore.
He explained afterward that he had been trying to do too much against Houston because of the importance of the series. Instead of attacking hitters aggressively, he became overly focused on making perfect pitches, which resulted in walks and additional pressure.
Against the Orioles, his mentality was different.
DeGrom concentrated on executing one pitch at a time, attacking the strike zone and trusting his stuff. That adjustment allowed him to work more efficiently and keep Baltimore’s offense under control.
Although a minor hip and glute issue prevented him from going deeper into the game, his five-inning performance was exactly what the Rangers needed.
Texas also received an important contribution from Corey Seager.
The shortstop provided the decisive offensive blow in the bottom of the eighth inning, launching a three-run home run with two outs to give the Rangers valuable insurance. The homer was especially significant because it came shortly after Seager returned from the injured list following another bout with a troublesome back issue
Manager Skip Schumaker emphasized the importance of having established stars such as Seager and deGrom leading the club during a critical stretch of the season.
For deGrom, Saturday’s victory was about more than simply improving his statistics. It was an opportunity to demonstrate why he wanted to remain in Texas and why the Rangers wanted him there.
Seager noticed the difference.
According to the Rangers shortstop, deGrom appeared to have an extra level of determination and energy. His performance showed exactly why the veteran pitcher had expressed a desire to stay with the organization.
The Rangers now find themselves fighting to secure the final American League Wild Card position while also attempting to climb back into contention in the AL West. Every game carries increasing importance, and dependable starting pitching could ultimately determine whether Texas reaches the postseason.
DeGrom understands that responsibility, but he does not believe he needs to carry the entire team himself.
His job is simpler: give the Rangers a realistic opportunity to win.
That is what he did against Baltimore.
DeGrom has already experienced postseason success with Texas. In his first season with the Rangers in 2023, the club won all six regular-season games he started. Unfortunately, his season ended prematurely when he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in April.
He was therefore unable to participate in Texas’ eventual World Series run.
Now, deGrom wants another opportunity.
He believes the current Rangers roster has enough talent to reach October, and his teammates appear to share that belief. His decision to publicly express his desire to remain with the club has also resonated inside the clubhouse.
For Texas, having a motivated deGrom pitching at anything close to his best could dramatically change the team’s outlook.
While deGrom was making his statement in Arlington, another young pitcher was creating MLB history in Milwaukee.
Jacob Misiorowski continued his extraordinary 2026 campaign Sunday by reaching 200 strikeouts faster than nearly every pitcher in Major League history.
The Milwaukee Brewers flamethrower reached the milestone after only 129 1/3 innings, setting a new franchise record. Corbin Burnes previously held Milwaukee’s record, requiring 145 2/3 innings to reach 200 strikeouts in 2021.
Misiorowski finished Sunday’s game with nine strikeouts over six innings as Milwaukee defeated Minnesota, 4-3, in 10 innings.
His accomplishment was even more impressive on a league-wide level.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider reached 200 strikeouts faster. Strider accomplished the feat in 123 1/3 innings in 2023.
Misiorowski wasted little time showcasing his extraordinary fastball against the Twins. He opened the game by striking out Trevor Larnach on a pitch that reached 103.1 mph.
He then continued attacking Minnesota with overwhelming velocity
Misiorowski threw 21 consecutive fastballs to begin the game, with even his slowest pitch during that stretch reaching 100.6 mph. His power helped him record four strikeouts through the opening two innings.
The historic 200th strikeout arrived against Alan Roden. Misiorowski needed only five pitches to finish the at-bat, producing another strikeout and earning a massive ovation from the Milwaukee crowd.
The Brewers celebrated the accomplishment on the stadium scoreboard, but Misiorowski was already focused on the next hitter.
That attitude has become characteristic of his breakout season.
His 2026 campaign has been filled with remarkable displays of velocity and strikeout production. He has already recorded eight games in which he threw at least 50 pitches reaching 100 mph or faster. He also established a pitch-tracking era record by throwing 66 pitches at 100 mph or above in one game.
His dominance has even attracted the attention of legendary hard-throwing pitcher Nolan Ryan.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy praised Misiorowski for handling the enormous attention surrounding his historic season while continuing to develop as a pitcher.
With two months still remaining in the regular season, Misiorowski has plenty of time to add more milestones.
Meanwhile, deGrom’s latest outing could prove equally important for Texas—not because it created a record, but because it reminded the Rangers of what their ace can provide when he is healthy, aggressive and confident.
The Rangers need their veteran star to rediscover that form if they are going to make another postseason push.
After the uncertainty surrounding his future at the Trade Deadline, deGrom has now given Texas something it desperately needed: a strong start, a victory and renewed belief that he can still be a difference-maker when the stakes are highest.
