Jacob deGrom’s latest Rangers start underscored a brutal stretch: more than a month without a win, a home run on the first pitch after a shoulder-fatigue pause, and a 4-0 loss to the Angels. He’s 0-4 in five starts since July 22, throwing 90 pitches across five innings while battling inconsistency and command issues. Bochy plans to ride the moment, hoping rest isn’t needed, as Texas fights for a wild-card push with five weeks remaining.

On the Angels’ side, Zach Neto delivered a jolt by launching a franchise-record ninth leadoff homer this season, and LA rode early momentum to keep deGrom from settling in. Neto’s emergence quickened the pace for fantasy managers eyeing stolen-base and run-scoring upside, while deGrom’s workload and health remain the bigger storyline as Texas looks to maximize his remaining starts.