The Texas Rangers host the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM ET. Jacob deGrom takes the ball for Texas against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen in a regular season matchup that carries real weight as September baseball heats up. Watch on Rangers Sports Network, presented by Progressive, or catch the radio call on 105.3 The Fan.
Starting Pitchers: Jacob deGrom vs. Drew Rasmussen
When deGrom is healthy and on the mound, the conversation starts and ends with him. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been one of the most electric arms in baseball when available, and Globe Life Field's home crowd will be locked in from his first pitch. His arsenal — a mid-to-upper-90s fastball paired with one of the sharpest sliders in the game — gives Texas a legitimate ace-level presence at the top of the rotation.
Rasmussen is a capable opponent who can work deep into games when his command is on. The Rays have long been an organization built on pitching development and roster efficiency, and Rasmussen fits that mold. Rangers hitters will need to be disciplined early and look to exploit any lapses in location as the at-bats accumulate.
Keys to Watch in Saturday's Game
- deGrom's pitch count and command: Every deGrom start is worth the price of admission, but how long he stays in the game matters. If he's locating his fastball and burying that slider early in counts, this could be a long night for Tampa Bay's lineup.
- Rangers offense vs. Rasmussen: Rasmussen can be stingy when he's ahead in counts. Texas hitters need to work deep into at-bats, avoid chasing breaking balls out of the zone, and cash in when they get runners in scoring position.
- Bullpen management: September bullpen arms matter. How both managers handle the middle innings could define the outcome as much as the starters do.
- Globe Life Field atmosphere: A September home game with deGrom pitching is the kind of night that draws a charged crowd. Home-field energy is a real factor late in the regular season.
Prediction
This one comes down to deGrom's effectiveness. When he's dealing, Texas wins these games. Rasmussen is a legitimate pitcher, but if deGrom can give the Rangers six or more quality innings and the lineup strings together a few crooked numbers early, the Rangers take this one at home. Expect a competitive, lower-scoring game that Rangers fans will want to see in person. Edge: Texas, 4–2.
