Rangers Ace deGrom Embraces Matchup with Ohtani

Veteran pitcher eager to face MLB's top two-way star in Rangers' win over Dodgers.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:20pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a baseball game, with the players' forms abstracted into angular, overlapping shapes in the official team colors of the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers.Two of baseball's biggest stars, Jacob deGrom and Shohei Ohtani, face off in a high-stakes matchup that showcases the sport's elite talent and competitive spirit.Los Angeles Today

Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom turned in a strong outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, striking out nine batters over six innings despite giving up a home run to Shohei Ohtani in the first at-bat. deGrom embraced the challenge of facing the best player in baseball, saying he 'wanted to face him there' and was eager for another chance to 'redeem' himself after Ohtani's early homer.

Why it matters

The matchup between deGrom and Ohtani, two of the biggest stars in the sport, generated significant interest and attention. deGrom's defiant comments show his competitive spirit and desire to take on the league's elite players, even when facing an early setback.

The details

Despite Ohtani's first-inning home run, deGrom settled in and turned in a quality start, allowing just one run over six innings. The Rangers went on to win the game 5-2. deGrom said he was determined not to walk Ohtani in their later at-bats, wanting to face the Dodgers' slugger head-on.

  • The game took place on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • Ohtani hit a home run off deGrom in the first inning.

The players

Jacob deGrom

A veteran right-handed pitcher for the Texas Rangers who is considered one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Shohei Ohtani

A two-way star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, considered the best player in Major League Baseball for his elite hitting and pitching abilities.

Texas Rangers

The baseball team that deGrom plays for, currently tied for first place in the American League West division.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The baseball team that Ohtani plays for, one of the top teams in the National League.

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What they’re saying

“I wanted to face him there, honestly. He got me on the first at-bat. I walked him on the second at-bat, and then once I fell behind, I was like, 'Please don't walk him. Please don't walk him.' And then they did. That's the goal, you want to compete against the best.”

— Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers Pitcher

What’s next

The Rangers will look to build on this win when they face the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.

The takeaway

deGrom's eagerness to face Ohtani and his determination to redeem himself after the early home run shows the competitive fire that has made him one of the game's elite pitchers. The matchup between these two superstars was a highlight of the Rangers' victory over the Dodgers.