Starting Lineups:

Texas Rangers (28-31):

1) Joc Pederson (L) DH

2) Josh Jung (R) 3B

3) Brandon Nimmo (L) RF

4) Jake Burger (R) 1B

5) Ezequiel Durán (R) SS

6) Alejandro Osuna (L) LF

7) Evan Carter (L) CF

8) Danny Jansen (R) C

9) Nicky Lopez (L) 2B

Starting Pitcher: RHP Jacob deGrom (3-4, 3.77 ERA)

St. Louis Cardinals (31-26):

1) JJ Wetherholt (L) 2B

2) Iván Herrera (R) C

3) Alec Burleson (L) 1B

4) Jordan Walker (R) RF

5) Bryan Torres (L) LF

6) Masyn Winn (R) SS

7) Nolan Gorman (L) 3B

8) Jimmy Crooks (L) DH

9) Victor Scott II (L) CF

Starting Pitcher: RHP Michael McGreevy (3-4, 2.98 ERA)

Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO — In the opening game of the three-game series, the Texas Rangers bested the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 thanks to a strong outing from starter Jacob deGrom and timely hitting.

The Rangers opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning.

Brandon Nimmo hit a single through the left side with one away in the top of the fourth inning. Two batters later, Ezequiel Duran hit an RBI double to the left field corner to plate Nimmo, putting the Rangers up 1-0.

The Rangers would scratch across another run in the top of the fifth inning.

Danny Jansen worked a one-out walk, and Jansen would swipe second base to put himself in scoring position. Nicky Lopez would hit a single to right field to put runners on the corners with one away. Joc Pederson would capitalize and hit an RBI single to center field to put the Rangers up 2-0.

Rangers starter deGrom pitched five shutout innings, while striking out 8 on his way to earning his fourth win of the season and his 100th career win.

The Cardinals would get on the board in the bottom of the sixth.

After deGrom was replaced by reliever Peyton Gray, Maysn Winn parked a ball in the left field seats to cut into the Rangers’ lead 2-1.

Jacob deGrom – photo courtesy of NBC 5 DFW

The Good: Pederson continues his tear at the plate — working a walk and hitting an RBI single to help the Rangers win 2-0. Additionally, Jacob deGrom would earn his 100th career win, an amazing milestone for a starting pitcher. When it’s all said and done, deGrom is likely headed to Cooperstown.

The Bad/The Ugly: Reliever Gray gave up the Cardinals’ lone run on a homer, so it wasn’t his best effort on the mound. Ultimately, the Rangers were able to hold on to a one-run lead, though.

-Matt Koper

Founder of Koper’s Korner