The Texas Rangers welcome the Toronto Blue Jays to Globe Life Field on Sunday, September 20, for a 2:35 PM ET first pitch. Jacob deGrom starts for Texas against Toronto right-hander Spencer Miles in what shapes up as an intriguing late-season pitching matchup. With the Rangers hosting in Arlington and a full lineup card in hand for both clubs, this one carries real weight for however these two teams are positioned in the standings as the calendar pushes deep into September.

Pitching Matchup: Jacob deGrom vs. Spencer Miles

The story on the Rangers' side starts and ends with deGrom on the mound. When he is healthy and on the hill at Globe Life Field, Texas has a genuine stopper. DeGrom's stuff — the elite fastball velocity, the hammer curveball, the command — gives the Rangers a chance to win any game he starts. Toronto counters with Spencer Miles, a younger arm who will need to be sharp against a Rangers lineup that has real pop up and down the order.

Texas Rangers Starting Lineup

• 1. Wyatt Langford, LF
• 2. Corey Seager, DH
• 3. Josh Jung, 3B
• 4. Ezequiel Duran, SS
• 5. Brandon Nimmo, RF
• 6. Jake Burger, 1B
• 7. Nicky Lopez, 2B
• 8. Danny Jansen, C
• 9. Evan Carter, CF

Toronto Blue Jays Starting Lineup

• 1. Brett Bateman, CF
• 2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
• 3. Nathan Lukes, RF
• 4. Kazuma Okamoto, 3B
• 5. Sean Keys, DH
• 6. Josh Smith, LF
• 7. Andrés Giménez, SS
• 8. Brandon Valenzuela, C
• 9. Ernie Clement, 2B

Keys to Watch

DeGrom's Workload and Command

Every deGrom start demands attention. The question is never whether he has the ability to dominate — it is whether the command is sharp from the first inning and how deep into the game he goes. If deGrom is dialed in through six or seven innings, Toronto's lineup will have a long afternoon.

Neutralizing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero Jr. hits in the two-hole for the Blue Jays, and he is the most dangerous bat in the Toronto order. How deGrom and catcher Danny Jansen attack Guerrero will go a long way toward determining the outcome. Keep him off the bases and Toronto's offense loses its anchor.

Seager and Jung Providing Middle-Order Pop

Corey Seager hitting second and Josh Jung third gives Texas a legitimate threat at the top of the order against a relatively unproven starter in Miles. If the Rangers can get Seager and Jung going early, the pressure on Miles compounds in a hurry, especially with Ezequiel Duran lurking in the cleanup spot.

Evan Carter's Role at the Bottom

Carter batting ninth gives Texas a second leadoff-type presence who can turn the order over to Langford. His ability to get on base or create traffic at the bottom of the lineup adds a dimension that keeps opposing pitchers from ever getting comfortable.

Prediction

Trust deGrom on the mound at home. The Rangers' lineup has enough firepower to work a younger pitcher in Miles early, and with Seager, Jung, and Duran in the heart of the order, runs should come. Texas wins this one, 4-1.