As the AL West race heats up, the Texas Rangers will welcome back Jacob deGrom to the mound. It will be one of the most anticipated moments of the season. For the first time since leaving the Mets in 2022, Jacob deGrom will make a start in New York. He carries with him one of the most remarkable pitching resumes in baseball. The stats place his dominance at the park alongside legends like Sandy Koufax. Few pitchers in history can match it.
Jacob deGrom of the @Rangers has a 2.12 ERA in 696.2 career IP at Citi Field and now makes his 1st start there since leaving the @Mets in 2022.
The only pitcher in the live-ball era (since 1920) with a lower ERA at any park (min. 500 IP) is Sandy Koufax – 1.37 at Dodger Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Ii0A3L6L67
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 12, 2025
With a 2.12 ERA across 696.2 career innings at the venue, he has already entered rare company. The only pitcher in the live-ball era with a lower ERA at any park with at least 500 innings is Sandy Koufax, who posted a 1.37 ERA at Dodger Stadium.
For Rangers fans, the return of Jacob deGrom is more than just a reunion with familiar surroundings. It is a reminder of the ace who built his reputation on dominance and control. His ability to mix power with precision remains one of the most valuable assets in the game today. Facing New York again, he will look to show that his elite form can still influence outcomes at the highest level.
The Rangers chase for the AL West race gives his return even more significance. Texas has battled through a tight division, where every start can shift momentum. Having a pitcher like deGrom available could be the difference between staying in the race and falling behind. The Rangers need consistency from their rotation, and Jacob deGrom’s presence provides a sense of stability that few others can match.
Comparisons to Sandy Koufax highlight not only his numbers but also the company he keeps in baseball’s most exclusive groups. Koufax is remembered as a Hall of Fame legend who dominated Dodger Stadium. Now Jacob deGrom carries his own history into another chapter, standing tall with one of the lowest ERAs ever recorded at a single ballpark. His past performance has already sealed his place in history, and his next outing could strengthen his role as the anchor in the Rangers' AL West push.
Can Jacob deGrom’s return give the Rangers the edge they need to conquer the AL West race?
