HOUSTON, Texas (July 12, 2025)— The second installment of this pivotal weekend series between the Texas Rangers (47-48) and Houston Astros (55-39) is set for Saturday evening at Minute Maid Park, and it’s shaping up to be a classic pitcher’s duel between two of the American League’s most dominant arms.
On the bump, Jacob deGrom (9-2, 2.29 ERA) gets the nod for the Rangers against Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.90 ERA) for the Astros. With both teams boasting top-five bullpens and strong defensive metrics, this contest may come down to which ace can seize control and carry his club deep into the game.
🔥 Pitching Matchup: deGrom vs. Valdez
All eyes will be on the mound Saturday night, as two of the league’s most consistent starters square off in what could easily be a postseason preview.
Jacob deGrom, back in vintage form after a brief IL stint earlier this season, continues to dazzle with his trademark command and velocity. The right-hander has recorded 116 strikeouts over 98.1 innings while limiting opponents to a .194 batting average. He’s allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts, and against a scuffling Astros offense, deGrom could be poised for another gem.
On the other side, Framber Valdez has quietly built another All-Star-caliber season. The southpaw boasts a 2.90 ERA over 118 innings, using a heavy sinker and elite ground-ball rate to neutralize opposing lineups. In his lone start against the Rangers this season, Valdez allowed just one earned run over seven strong innings.
With both starters in top form and each bullpen ranking among MLB’s elite — Houston third, Texas fourth in bullpen ERA — early scoring could prove decisive.
📉 Recent Trends
The Astros enter Saturday riding a four-game losing streak, their longest of the season. They were swept at home by the Guardians before dropping Friday’s series opener to Texas, 7-3. Despite their recent slump, Houston still sits atop the AL West, clinging to a narrowing lead as the All-Star break looms.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are trending in the opposite direction, winners of two straight and now just one game under .500. Friday’s win moved Texas to 3-2 in the season series against Houston, with a chance Saturday to clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The Rangers have found an offensive spark behind Wyatt Langford and Adolis García, both of whom homered in the series opener. Langford’s four-hit night, including a seventh-inning bomb, headlined a potent attack that chased Astros starter Lance McCullers early.
🧨 X-Factors
Texas Rangers:
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Wyatt Langford – The rookie is red-hot at the plate and hitting .385 over his last 10 games. His combination of power and plate discipline will be key against Valdez’s pitch-to-contact approach.
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Jacob deGrom – A dominant outing from the two-time Cy Young winner could neutralize Houston’s offensive threats and give Texas a shot at a rare series win in Houston.
Houston Astros:
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Jose Altuve – The veteran second baseman is hitting just .207 over his last 10 games. If he can set the tone early atop the lineup, Houston’s bats may snap out of their funk.
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Framber Valdez – The left-hander must keep the Rangers’ right-handed power in check, especially in the short left field of Minute Maid.
⚾ Series Outlook
Texas will look to ride its momentum into the All-Star break, with Saturday’s game offering a golden opportunity to get back to .500 and make a divisional statement. Houston, meanwhile, aims to halt its slide and stabilize its AL West lead before Sunday’s finale.
With aces on the hill, power in the lineups, and postseason implications simmering beneath the surface, this Lone Star showdown promises playoff energy in mid-July.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CST.
