Jacob deGrom takes the mound at Globe Life Field on Saturday, August 8, as the Texas Rangers host the Baltimore Orioles for a 7:15 p.m. ET first pitch. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner squares off against Baltimore right-hander Kyle Bradish in what shapes up as one of the better pitching matchups on the Saturday night slate. The game airs nationally on FOX and FOX ONE, with local radio coverage on 105.3 The Fan. For a Rangers club chasing ground in the American League, a quality start from deGrom at home carries real weight.

Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles Game Preview: August 8, 2026

Starting Pitchers

DeGrom is the headliner here, and for good reason. When healthy, he is as dominant as any starter in the American League — a pitcher capable of making a lineup look overmatched from the first pitch to the last. The Rangers will need him to go deep into this game and keep the Orioles' lineup off-balance.

Bradish is a legitimate challenge for the Texas lineup. The Baltimore right-hander has shown the ability to miss bats and work through a lineup multiple times, so the Rangers cannot afford a slow start offensively. First-inning production against Bradish matters.

Texas Rangers Starting Lineup

• 1. Joc Pederson — DH
• 2. Wyatt Langford — LF
• 3. Corey Seager — SS
• 4. Brandon Nimmo — RF
• 5. Ezequiel Duran — 3B
• 6. Evan Carter — CF
• 7. Jake Burger — 1B
• 8. Austin Wynns — C
• 9. Nicky Lopez — 2B

Keys to Watch

• deGrom's command: The Rangers go as far as deGrom takes them tonight. If he is locating his slider and keeping the ball down in the zone, this could be a long night for Baltimore's offense. Watch his pitch count through the first three innings — early efficiency means he stays in the game longer.
• Seager and Nimmo as the lineup's engine: Corey Seager batting third and Brandon Nimmo cleaning up fourth gives Texas a formidable middle of the order. Getting those two into favorable counts against Bradish is the offensive key.
• Langford's role in the two-hole: Wyatt Langford batting second between Pederson and Seager puts pressure on Baltimore's defense early. His ability to get on base and set the table for Seager is critical to how Texas scores runs tonight.
• Bullpen depth: Even with deGrom on the mound, the Rangers need their bullpen ready. If deGrom exits after six or seven innings with a lead, Texas must finish the job.

Prediction

This one comes down to deGrom. A fully locked-in deGrom at Globe Life Field against any opponent is a tough night for the visiting club, and the Rangers' lineup has enough firepower to scratch across runs against Bradish. Expect a tight, low-scoring game that the Rangers win by a run or two. Texas wins, 3-1.