In a move that caught fans and analysts off guard, the Texas Rangers have left superstar pitcher Jacob deGrom out of their starting rotation for this weekend’s high-stakes series against the Detroit Tigers — a decision that instantly robbed baseball lovers of what could have been a legendary showdown between two of the game’s fiercest arms.
deGrom, the Rangers’ $185 million flame-thrower and 2024 All-Star selection, was widely expected to headline the series — especially with Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, slated to pitch on Sunday.
It was shaping up to be a pitching duel for the ages, the kind of marquee matchup fans circle on the calendar. But instead, Texas made the bold call to bench their “Fire-Breathing Ace” — not due to injury, but to give him extra rest heading into the second half of the season.
The move has stirred mixed emotions across the baseball world. Some fans are frustrated, feeling robbed of a blockbuster clash. Others are beginning to sense the deeper strategy behind the surprise: the Rangers are playing the long game, and October is clearly on their minds.
deGrom, 37, has been stellar in his return from Tommy John surgery — his second — posting a 9-2 record with a 2.32 ERA, 113 strikeouts, and just 24 walks over 112.1 innings. In fact, he’s already logged more starts this season than in any year since 2019, and with the workload mounting, the Rangers are wisely managing their ace with the playoffs in view.
He didn’t pitch in the All-Star Game earlier this week, and his last start came on Saturday against Houston. With the current rotation set, the earliest fans could see deGrom back on the mound is Monday, when the Rangers open a series against the Oakland Athletics — giving him more than a full week of recovery.
While the absence of deGrom means fans will miss a must-see duel with Skubal — who enters the series with a 10-3 record, a 2.23 ERA, and 153 strikeouts — the Sunday night clash won’t be short on firepower. Rangers veteran Nathan Eovaldi, himself a 2023 All-Star, is set to take the ball in prime time. Eovaldi has been sharp despite missing time with an arm issue, returning to post a 7-3 record and 1.58 ERA over 16 starts.
The rest of the series will feature lefty Patrick Corbin (6-7, 4.15 ERA) in Friday’s opener and young right-hander Kumar Rocker (3-4, 6.39 ERA) on Saturday. The Tigers will counter with Reese Olson and Skubal, while Saturday’s Detroit starter remains unannounced.
Rangers fans may be disappointed for now — but the message is clear: Texas is focused on more than mid-July fireworks. They’re building toward a deep October run, and that means keeping their most powerful weapon sharp, rested, and ready when the stakes are highest.
After all, if this is the price of greatness, the payoff may just be a World Series parade.
