Jacob deGrom Faces Month-Long Winless Streak After Loss
UPDATE: Jacob deGrom’s winless streak has stretched to over a month following a 4-0 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels on August 28, 2023. The Texas Rangers All-Star pitcher, who has not won since July 22, is visibly frustrated as he struggles to regain his form.
DeGrom’s performance was hampered by a home run on the very first pitch he threw, marking a challenging return after a 10-day hiatus due to shoulder fatigue. With this latest setback, deGrom’s record now stands at 0-4 in his last five starts, a stark contrast to his earlier success when he was 10-2 and a key player for the Rangers at the All-Star game.
The 37-year-old pitcher threw 90 pitches (56 strikes) over five innings, allowing two runs and striking out seven batters. Despite retiring ten batters in a row at one point, deGrom acknowledged his inconsistency, stating, “Tonight just was inconsistent the whole time… Just kind of all over the place, so that was frustrating.”
This marked deGrom’s first appearance since an effective outing on August 15, where he managed five scoreless innings but did not earn a decision in a subsequent loss. “That’s what’s frustrating about it. You go out there and you feel good… and then go out there and just not able to throw the ball where I want to,” deGrom added.
The game began poorly for deGrom as Zach Neto hit a franchise-record ninth leadoff homer for the Angels, immediately placing the Rangers in a tough position. Even as he demonstrated flashes of brilliance, including striking out the side in the fourth inning, deGrom’s control issues led to a growing pitch count and ultimately contributed to the Rangers’ loss.
Manager Bruce Bochy remains optimistic about deGrom’s potential, stating, “He’ll keep making his starts until we think he needs a break… As long as that’s the case, he’s going to be out there.” DeGrom is determined to pitch every fifth game, aiming to improve and help the Rangers secure a wild-card spot with less than five weeks left in the regular season.
Having faced injury challenges in recent seasons, deGrom has pitched 145 1/3 innings this year, his highest total since 2019 when he won his second consecutive NL Cy Young Award. The pressure is mounting as the Rangers aim to rebound from this loss and make a playoff push, making deGrom’s upcoming performances even more critical.
As fans eagerly await deGrom’s next start, the urgency of the situation is palpable. With every game counting towards the Rangers’ postseason aspirations, deGrom’s ability to regain his winning touch is essential. Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.
