As Uncertainty abounds in Rangers starting rotation MacKenzie Gore is coming up big

Well, hello, All-Star-caliber pitcher MacKenzie Gore! Where have you been hiding all season long? For the first time since joining the Texas Rangers at a very steep price via trade, the flamethrowing left-hander looks like the dominant southpaw on the cusp of becoming an ace that Chris Young and company thought they were getting as the third leg of the team's starting staff.

Gore has finally found the form that made him an All-Star in 2025, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Even though the Rangers are coming off a tough West Coast road trip where they lost 5 of 7 to two of the worst teams in MLB, there are several huge questions surrounding this starting staff. The team needs Gore to keep stepping up if they want to have a shot at postseason play.

MacKenzie Gore is dominating as Rangers deal with Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom injuries

Over his last four starts, Gore has a 2.63 ERA and 27 Ks against just 7 walks over 24 innings pitched. The Rangers have won three of those starts. Since July 24, the athletic lefty has lowered his overall ERA from 4.82 to 4.45. If you ask Rangers' skipper Skip Schumaker, Gore's uptick in performance couldn't have come at a better time.

He is getting much more swing-and-miss by locating his 96 mph fastball and then being in or close to the zone with his nasty slider and terrific change-up. He has, for the most part, avoided the one meltdown inning that has plagued him for most of the season.

Nathan Eovaldi is currently on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation, and Jacob deGrom exited his last start after just two innings with right triceps fatigue. It appears that DeGrom has avoided a serious injury that would require an extended IL stint, but questions remain about his health, as he has not looked like himself over his last several outings.

The Rangers needed Gore to step up and be the ace that they gave up five minor league prospects for, and he has done that over the last month. It is encouraging to see him get better as the season goes on, as many questioned whether he could put together a full campaign. Last year, after being named to his first All-Star game, Gore faded badly over the second half, posting a 5-15 record with a 4.17 ERA.

Gore has obviously been often criticized for his inconsistency in 2026, but what has flown a bit under the radar is his tendency to step up in big moments. The 27-year-old has been called on a handful of times to step in on short rest to spell deGrom or Eovaldi, and he's delivered solid outings each time. Now, he's filling in for those veteran stalwarts in a different way.

If the Rangers are going to regroup and make a push for the playoffs, Gore will have to continue looking sharp, and Eovaldi and deGrom will need to find their best stuff. This team is cooked if their top three starters falter down the stretch. Getting guys like Corey Seager, Wyatt Langford, and Joc Pederson all hot at the same time would be most welcome, too.

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