Texas Rangers fans jubilant about Jacob deGrom’s dominant outing in win over Baltimore Orioles: "Please let this man stay healthy, Lord" 

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom turned in exactly the type of performance his new fans had been hoping for in a 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles. The Rangers ace went six innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out 11 in 92 pitches.

According to the team, he is the third pitcher in franchise history to record 11 or more strikeouts in 92 or fewer pitches. He joins Yu Darvish, who whiffed 11 on 91 pitches in 2016, and Matt Perisho, who claimed 12 Ks on just 78 pitches in 1999.

It was a far different outcome for Jacob deGrom and the Texas Rangers than the ace's first outing with his new ballclub. In the season opener, deGrom went just 3-2/3 innings and allowed five earned runs on six hits during an eventual 11-7 defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies.

After that alarming outing, Wednesday's effort had Texas fans grinning from ear to ear.

DeGrom's performance also touched off a round of taunting toward New York Mets fans. The Mets let deGrom go in the offseason and then replaced him with 2022 American League Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander.

However, while deGrom is now two starts into the season, Verlander remains on the injured list after being diagnosed with a low-grade strain of the teres major muscle in his shoulder at the end of Spring Training.

For what it's worth, it seems like Mets fans agree with the taunting emanating from the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. While Jacob deGrom did battle assorted health issues later in his nine-year run in New York, when he was healthy, he was among the most dominant pitchers in team history.

It's been a little over a month since deGrom missed out on his first Spring Training start after experiencing tightness in his side. But fears of that being a recurring injury dilemma have faded since.

However, given that deGrom was held to an average of just 12 starts per season due to compounding injuries over his last three seasons in New York, the medical specter will remain hovering over him for the foreseeable future.

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Jacob deGrom is one of the modern pitching greats

Pitcher Jacob deGrom #48 of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during media day

Jacob deGrom's nine years with the Mets included a myriad of dominant performances. While his win-loss record never seemed to match the numbers he would put up while on the mound. As a Met, he went 82-57 with a 2.55 ERA, 0.998 WHIP, and 1,614 strikeouts.