Rangers' Jacob deGrom strives for better start vs. Marlins

From 2015-21, right-hander Jacob deGrom was a four-time All-Star and a two-time Cy Young Award winner for the New York Mets.

During that span, the Miami Marlins never won more than 79 games.

Yet deGrom has never had it easy against the Marlins. While with the Mets, he had a stellar 2.91 ERA against Miami but just a 10-9 record.

On Wednesday afternoon, deGrom (6-4, 3.59 ERA) will face the host Marlins again, although this time while representing the Texas Rangers. It will be deGrom's 28th time facing the Marlins. The only other team he has opposed that often is the Atlanta Braves, and he also is 10-9 against them.

deGrom was outstanding last year for the Rangers, posting a 12-8 record and a 2.97 ERA in 30 starts. He was named the American League's Comeback Player of the Year.

deGrom turned 38 years old on Friday, and he pitched that night, allowing five runs in the first inning but somehow lasted six innings to get a 9-7 win over San Diego.

"After the rough start, he was really upset at himself," Texas manager Skip Schumaker said. "He made it a point to get through six innings, and I wanted him to have it."

The Rangers hope to support deGrom on Wednesday with star shortstop Corey Seager, who has been out since suffering concussion-like symptoms following an on-field collision on June 11.

On Tuesday, Seager took batting practice with the team, and he might be activated in time to face Miami on Wednesday.

"He felt really good," Schumaker said of Seager. "We'll see what happens."

Speaking of comebacks, right-hander Eury Perez (3-6, 4.60 ERA) will start for the Marlins on Wednesday.

Perez, who had a thigh injury, hasn't pitched in the majors since May 27. However, he threw a bullpen session on Monday and reached 95 mph. In his only rehab start, which came last Thursday, Perez threw 51 pitches in 3 2/3 innings.

"He responded very well to the initial rounds of treatment," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said, "and that gave us some encouragement."

Last month, just prior to his injury, Perez threw a 101-mph fastball -- his highest velocity of the season.

Perez has faced Texas once, scattering two hits while striking out nine batters over four scoreless innings in a no-decision last September.

The Marlins hope Perez's return will help a rotation that includes two other standouts -- Max Meyer and Sandy Alcantara.

McCullough said Perez can go longer than the 3 2/3 innings he pitched last week. But how much longer is a mystery.

"He's healthy enough," McCullough said. "He's in a good place."

So are the Marlins, who are 15-5 in June after splitting the first two contests of this series. Miami rebounded from a 4-3 setback in the series opener on Monday with a 6-4 victory in the rematch on Tuesday.

If the Marlins prevail on Wednesday, that would give them six series wins over their past seven.

Indeed, the Marlins have been playing good baseball this month, hitting 26 homers in 20 games.

They hit just 23 homers all of last month.

--Field Level Media