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The Rangers became the first team to miss the playoffs after a World Series title since the White Sox in 2006.

If there's anything exciting left in the final series of a disappointing season, it's the return of Jacob DeGrom after a year and a half off due to Tommy John surgery.

His return came a few months later than the Rangers expected, but it's encouraging that the injury-plagued star is back at all considering everything that's happened.

DeGrom will face the Angels for the third time this season on Friday night in Anaheim. He'll be playing against a team that just lost three points in a row to the worst team in baseball – perhaps even in baseball history.

Rangers vs Angels odds

Rangers vs Angels prediction

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has used DeGrom sparingly in both of the pitcher's previous starts, limiting him to about 60 pitches. And the two-time Cy Young Award winner showed no regression.

He struck out four and five batters, respectively, while allowing a total of one earned run in limited action.

DeGrom's fastball velocity is in the 97 mph range, which is a slight decrease from 2022, according to Statcast, but is still in the top six percent of pitchers.

Opposing DeGrom will be Reid Detmers for Los Angeles in what will be his final start on an excruciating one-year deal. He gave away bases on many batted balls, increasing his ERA to 6.67.

While the lack of solid roster construction in the Angels organization has hampered all pitching staffs this season, Detmers' velocity and spin rates on his primary pitches have declined.

He's bouncing back from two straight losses, including one against the White Sox, which is hard to do if you've followed baseball this year (Chicago has won three straight games – all against them – since tying with the Mets in 1962 Angels). most losses in a single MLB season).

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There are questions within the organization about Detmers' confidence and mental toughness after he was demoted to Triple-A for a few months early in the season.

Even with both bullpens performing averagely in the bottom half of MLB, we should look for DeGrom to take advantage and give the Rangers another strong start while hoping for a symbolic win.

Pick: Rangers Run Line -1.5 (+105, Caesars)