Jacob deGrom Needs Big Monday to Claim More Texas Rangers Records

Jacob deGrom knocked down one team record and gave chase to another through his first three starts with the Texas Rangers.

Turns out if he wants to set another club mark, he’ll need another big game in Monday night’s start at the Kansas City Royals. It’s the first outing for deGrom (1-0, 4.32) on the road, with first pitch set for 6:40 p.m.

Kansas City is starting Jordan Lyles (0-2, 5.19).

deGrom’s nine-strikeout performance against Kansas City on Tuesday – a no-decision but an 8-5 Rangers win in extra innings – gave the right-hander 27 punchouts on the season. That was the most strikeouts in pitcher’s first three starts in franchise history, breaking Nolan Ryan’s record of 26 in 1989.

deGrom was also in striking distance for the most strikeouts to start any season in team history. Ryan had 28 in 1991 and Yu Darvish tied that mark in 2013.

The question is whether deGrom can match their paces in his start at Kansas City? Ryan and Darvish both keep dealing after their fast starts.

Back in 1989, Ryan fanned 12 batters in his fourth start, a 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The complete-game victory pushed his season record to 2-1 and gave him 38 strikeouts for the season. deGrom will need 11 strikeouts to tie Ryan and 12 to pass.

As for 1991, Ryan struck out nine against Cleveland. That pushed his start to 37 strikeouts. deGrom would need 10 to tie and 11 to pass.

Darvish fanned 10 hitters in his fourth start in 2013, a 7-0 win over the Seattle Mariners. With that victory, Darvish was at 38 strikeouts. deGrom will need 11 to tie and 12 to pass.

deGrom (1-0) struck out seven in his Opening Day misstep against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 30, lasting only 3 2/3 innings. deGrom struck out 11 against the Baltimore Orioles on April 5.

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