Jacob

deGrom

It’s the second time deGrom has taken home the award in his career. The 37-year-old veteran ace wrapped up his first 30-start campaign since 2019 with a stellar 2.97 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 185/37 K/BB ratio across 172 2/3 innings of work. He was limited to just three late-season starts during the 2024 season while working his way back from Tommy John surgery. He’ll open next season as a top-10 range starting pitcher and an early-round selection in all fantasy drafts despite his lingering durability concerns.

The decision to pull back from a velocity standpoint this season in his return from elbow surgery paid dividends for deGrom, who completes his first 30-start campaign since 2019 with a stellar 2.97 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 185/37 K/BB ratio across 172 2/3 innings of work. The 37-year-old veteran’s return to fantasy ace status puts him near the top of the starting pitcher landscape heading into drafts next spring, despite his omnipresent durability concerns.

It was apparent from the first inning that deGrom didn’t have his best stuff here. He fell behind Jeremy Peña 3-0 to start the game before he laced a double. The Astros would score two runs in that first inning, two more in the third on a home run from Jose Altuve, and another in the fifth when Peña took him deep. deGrom’s slider command wasn’t up to his usual standards as more than often missed way out of the zone and hung in the lower half of the strike zone. He made due with more curveballs, but it still wasn’t enough to keep these runs off the board. Next up is what should be his final start of the season against the Twins.

Openly emotional about returning to his former home park, deGrom benefited from a level of run support he rarely received as a Met. The Rangers put up six runs before he ever took the mound and deGrom seemed to pitch to that lead. It was the first time since June 1st that he didn’t strike out at least five batters, but he worked efficiently and was able to complete seven innings for the first time since June 25th. He also allowed a whopping 13 hard-hit balls and was fortunate most of them found gloves. Still, he helped secure an important win as his Rangers kept pace with both the Astros and Mariners to stay two games behind each in the playoff race. deGrom’s next start is scheduled to come against those Astros in Houston.

Two of the runs deGrom gave up were solo homers, as he gave up roundtrippers to Christian Walker and Yordan Alvarez in the third and fifth, respectively. The 37-year-old struck out eight, and he issues two walks while allowing three additional hits. It’s a slightly disappointing start, but once that still showed how good deGrom has been for the overwhelming majority of 2025. Friday will be a fun one, as he’ll face the Mets in New York.

The 37-year-old right-hander punched out six opposing hitters on the afternoon. Both of the hits that he allowed were singles and only once did the A’s have anyone reach second base against him. The Rangers’ ace piled up 10 swings and misses on 79 pitches in the contest — eight of them on his slider — while registering a CSW of 25 percent. Now 11-6 on the season, deGrom will carry a brilliant 2.69 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and a 161/33 K/BB ratio (150 1/3 innings) into Saturday’s showdown against the Astros.

deGrom struck out seven and walked two while posting a 33 percent whiff rate and 28 percent CSW. He struggled to find the zone with his secondaries tonight, but did get plenty of swings and misses on his slider. His velocity remains there, and deGrom can be counted on in every start going forward.

There was some lingering uncertainty after deGrom was unexpectedly scratched from his scheduled start earlier this week against the Royals with shoulder fatigue. The fact that the 37-year-old fantasy ace is feeling well enough to take the ball early next week puts those concerns to bed. It’s a variable fantasy managers should continue monitoring closely, especially given his checkered injury history, but deGrom appears ready to roll for Monday’s outing at Globe Life Field.

It’s never what you want to see. However, the decision appears to be precautionary in nature since deGrom has already eclipsed 100 innings for the first time since the 2019 campaign. There should be a definitive update on his status at some point in the coming days, but it sounds like merely a workload management situation and not a cause for alarm. Stay tuned.

deGrom gave up two hits, walked none and struck out five. The 37-year-old right-hander was excellent, though he came out of the game after 84 pitches over five scoreless innings. deGrom was in line for the win until the Rangers bullpen blew the lead in the eighth inning. He has a 2.76 ERA and 148/30 K/BB ratio in 140 1/3 innings this year. deGrom is lined up to face the Royals on the road next week.