Jacob deGrom takes the mound at Globe Life Field on Monday, August 31, 2026, when the Texas Rangers host the Athletics in an 8:05 PM ET first pitch. It is a late-summer regular season matchup with the Rangers looking to handle business at home against Oakland's Gage Jump. Globe Life Field is the place to be, and with deGrom on the bump, Rangers fans have every reason to show up ready.

Probable Starters: Jacob deGrom vs. Gage Jump

The pitching matchup is the headline here. DeGrom is one of the most talented arms in baseball when healthy, and his presence in the rotation is a significant asset for Texas. The Rangers are sending him out to set the tone on a Monday night in Arlington. The onus is on deGrom to deliver a quality start and keep the offense in a position to win.

The Athletics counter with left-hander Gage Jump, a younger arm still working to establish himself at the big-league level. Jump has shown flashes, but facing a Texas lineup with this kind of top-to-bottom depth is a genuine test. The Rangers should be able to put pressure on Jump early and often.

Texas Rangers Lineup: Keys to Watch

Manager-set lineup construction gives the Rangers a balanced attack from top to bottom Monday night.

• Ezequiel Duran (CF, leadoff) — Duran sets the table. His ability to get on base and create early pressure is critical against a starter the Rangers may not have seen much of.
• Corey Seager (SS, No. 2) — Seager in the two-hole is a legitimate threat every at-bat. He provides the kind of professional at-bat that can make a young pitcher's life miserable in the early innings.
• Wyatt Langford (LF, No. 3) — Langford hitting third signals the organization's belief in the young outfielder. His development is one of the more compelling storylines of the Rangers' season.
• Brandon Nimmo (RF, cleanup) — Nimmo slots into the four spot, adding veteran presence and on-base ability to the heart of the order.
• Jake Burger (1B, No. 5) — Burger provides the power threat behind Nimmo. He has the kind of raw pop that can change a game with one swing.

Athletics Lineup: Threats to Monitor

Oakland is not a pushover. Zack Gelof hitting third and Lawrence Butler cleanup give the Athletics legitimate middle-of-the-order punch. Jeff McNeil in the two-hole is a tough contact hitter who can work counts and keep innings alive. Former Rangers fans will notice a familiar name: Jonah Heim is behind the plate for Oakland, hitting eighth.

• Zack Gelof (3B) — One of Oakland's better young hitters. DeGrom will need to command his secondary stuff against him.
• Lawrence Butler (RF) — Butler in the cleanup spot is Oakland's most dangerous power threat. Keeping him in the ballpark is priority one for the Texas pitching staff.
• Jeff McNeil (2B) — A contact-first hitter who can be a pest at the top of the order.

Three Keys for a Rangers Win

• DeGrom attacks early. If the Rangers' starter is commanding his fastball and mixing his breaking ball effectively, this lineup can cruise. A long deGrom outing saves the bullpen and sets the tone.
• Jump in the zone. The Rangers need to work counts against Jump and make him pay for mistakes. A patient approach early could lead to crooked numbers before Oakland goes to the bullpen.
• Seager and Langford deliver. The two and three hitters are the engine of this offense. If they are on base for Nimmo and Burger, run support should take care of itself.

Prediction: Rangers Win

DeGrom against a developing starter at home at Globe Life Field is a spot where Texas should come out on top. The Rangers' lineup has the depth to manufacture runs against a less-experienced arm, and if deGrom is on, Oakland's offense will find Monday night to be a long one. Expect a Rangers win, 5-2.

Catch the game on Rangers Sports Network, presented by Progressive, or listen locally on 105.3 The Fan.