Moineauworld

Day: August 22, 2026

deGrom Reaches 2,000 Ks, Rangers Ride Hot | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

TL;DR

  • Jacob deGrom punched his 2,000th career strikeout and did it with absurd efficiency: second-fastest in MLB history by both games (272) and innings (1,661), trailing Randy Johnson by games and Chris Sale by innings. [2][4][5][6]
  • The milestone clarifies two futures at once: deGrom’s Hall-of-Fame arc stays intact, but a 3,000-K chase is a long shot given age 38 as of August 2026 and the innings math below. [2][9]
  • For Texas, his no-trade stance at the July 31, 2026 deadline plus this August 20 one-hitter signals intent: the Rangers are hitching their October bet to deGrom, sitting one game behind Houston in the AL West. [2][4][12]

What the source said

The New York Post reported that Jacob deGrom, 38, became the 95th pitcher to reach 2,000 career strikeouts, fanning 10 over six scoreless innings in the Rangers’ 2-0 win over Washington at Globe Life Field on August 20, 2026. He recorded the milestone in his 272nd game and 1,661st inning, the second-fastest marks in MLB history by those measures. The report revisits his Mets peak—back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards in 2018–19 and a 1.70 ERA with 269 strikeouts over 217.0 innings in 2018—and notes the injuries capped by a second Tommy John surgery in 2023 that complicated his early Texas tenure. It also frames Texas’s playoff calculus and mentions his use of a no-trade clause at the 2026 deadline. [1][2][10]

Why it matters

  • Stakeholders include the Texas Rangers, a crowded 2026 AL Wild Card field that features Houston and Seattle, and Hall voters eyeing deGrom’s rate stats in the early 2030s. On-field, Texas needs a Game 1 tone-setter; off-field, the “second-fastest to 2,000” tag quantifies an era-defining bat-missing profile that persisted through surgery and age. [2][4][5]

  • The Rangers are 64–65 and one game behind the Astros (65–64) in the AL West as of August 22, 2026—alive, volatile, and schedule-sensitive. DeGrom just authored six shutout frames with 10 strikeouts in a combined one-hitter during a 2-0 win over the Nationals in Arlington. That’s not nostalgia; that’s immediate playoff equity. [12][4]

Original analysis

Jacob deGrom’s 2,000 strikeouts: efficiency, context, and the ceiling Texas is buying

The easiest storyline is the number; the smarter one is the rate. DeGrom reached 2,000 in 1,661 IP. That implies a 10.8 K/9 pace to the milestone, which mirrors his career K/9 near 10.97 that ranks among the best for starters with 1,000+ IP since 1900. Translation: even after two UCL reconstructions (latest in 2023), the bat-missing engine remains elite. [2][4][9]

Two specific contexts matter:

  • Opponent fit. The Nationals have been a personal strikeout ATM for deGrom: before Thursday, he owned 189 Ks in 145 career innings vs. Washington (11.7 K/9) with a 2.30 ERA across 23 starts. He hit 2,000 precisely against the lineup he’s neutralized for a decade of NL East and interleague meetings. [3]

  • Historical speed. Randy Johnson needed 262 games to 2,000 Ks; Chris Sale set the innings-speed record at 1,626 IP. DeGrom sits second-fastest by both measures, which underscores dominance per opportunity rather than bulk accumulation. [5][6][2]

Now the hard question: what does this mean for the rest of 2026?

  • The Rangers are one game back in the West and clustered with six-plus AL clubs in the wild-card chase entering late August. The marginal value of an ace start in September is enormous—and deGrom just supplied a template: 6.0 IP, 10 K, one hit, then a rested bullpen for the final nine outs on August 20. He doesn’t need to be 2018 deGrom; he needs to be the six-inning, two-times-through destroyer. [12][4][10]

  • DeGrom used his full no-trade clause to remain with Texas at the July 31, 2026 deadline, signaling he wants the next defining chapter to run through Arlington. That choice aligns incentives with Chris Young’s front office and Bruce Bochy’s staff in a tight race. Texas can now plan usage without the uncertainty of a post-deadline relocation. [7][8]

Back-of-envelope: the 3,000-K mirage

Consensus take: “2,000 today means 3,000 is in play.” I disagree.

  • Need from here: 1,000 Ks.
  • If deGrom averages 150 IP per season and sustains ~11.0 K/9, that’s 150 × 11 / 9 ≈ 183 Ks/year.
  • 1,000 / 183 ≈ 5.46 seasons.

Even at a generous 160 IP/year, 160 × 11 / 9 ≈ 196 Ks; 1,000 / 196 ≈ 5.10 seasons. At 180 IP/year—aggressive after a second TJS—it’s 180 × 11 / 9 ≈ 220 Ks; 1,000 / 220 ≈ 4.55 seasons. That math doesn’t forecast “impossible,” but it screams “unlikely” for a pitcher who turned 38 in 2026; the milestone that matters is three October turns at full throttle this fall. [9][2]

A simple 2×2 for Texas’s October plan

  • Axis 1: Ceiling per start (High vs. Medium).
  • Axis 2: Health volatility (Stable vs. Volatile).

Quadrants:

  • High ceiling / Stable: unicorns.
  • High ceiling / Volatile: deGrom.
  • Medium ceiling / Stable: innings shepherds.
  • Medium ceiling / Volatile: risk arms.

Implication: Texas should script deGrom as a High/Volatile hammer:

  • Proactively cap him near two times through the order in September (≈22–24 batters faced), preserving whiff density into October.
  • Pair him with the top-miss relievers (e.g., 30%+ K-rate arms) right behind him, turning six elite innings into a structural 27-out plan. The August 20 combined one-hitter—six from deGrom plus three from the pen—is the ops manual, not a one-off. [4]

Named-stakeholder breakdown (what this means for them)

  • Chris Young (Rangers president of baseball operations): Your July 31, 2026 deadline posture—and deGrom’s no-trade stance—forces clarity: acquire or promote bullpen swingmen and plus defenders because your path runs through five- and six-inning deGrom starts with run prevention maximized. [7][8]

  • Alex Anthopoulos (Braves): You exit the 2026 deadline without the best short-horizon ceiling arm available, which shifts your October calculus toward depth and internal upside from Atlanta’s rotation. The margin in a five-game NLDS often swings on a single seven-inning gem you now must source elsewhere.

  • Hall of Fame voters, Class of early 2030s: Rate stats (K/9 near 11, ERA+ well above 120 in peak years, and elite speed to 2,000) will weigh heavily, especially if he adds even one more front-line season post–2023 surgery. The 2018–19 Cy Young run remains a lodestar for WAR and run-prevention models. [5][9][10]

What others are missing

The edge indicator isn’t the round number—it’s the dual efficiency record: second-fastest to 2,000 by both games (272) and innings (1,661), which isolates strikeout production per opportunity despite missed time in 2021–2025. That’s predictive for October usage, where teams price per-appearance ceiling over bulk volume. Also overlooked: opponent fit on August 20 in Arlington, where deGrom’s 11.7 K/9 and 2.30 ERA across 23 career starts vs. Washington made this a high-probability strikeout milestone night. Expect Texas to hunt similar matchups in a 2026 postseason series. [2][3][6]

What to watch next

  1. By September 15, 2026, Texas reduces deGrom’s average batters faced per start to 22 or fewer to preserve late-September/October availability.
  2. By October 5, 2026, if the Rangers clinch a postseason berth, deGrom starts Game 1 of their first series regardless of opponent. [2][4][12]
  3. Through the remainder of the 2026 regular season, deGrom posts a strikeout rate of at least 12.0 K/9 across his final five starts, reflecting a “shorter start, maximum whiff” plan.

My take

I don’t want Texas stretching deGrom to chase the old idea of “ace length.” I want the new idea of “ace density.” He just hit 2,000 in record time because the bat-missing never left; the body did. Keep the gas on, keep the leash short, and make every start a six-inning sledgehammer at Globe Life Field. He chose Texas at the deadline; Texas should answer by optimizing him, not romanticizing him. [4][7][12]

Sources

  1. New York Post — Jacob deGrom makes strikeout history against familiar foe (https://nypost.com/2026/08/20/sports/jacob-degrom-becomes-second-fastest-pitcher-to-2000-ks/) — News peg, 95th pitcher context, game result, and milestone framing.
  2. WTOP/AP — Rangers’ Jacob deGrom reaches 2,000 strikeouts in 2nd-fewest games and innings pitched (https://wtop.com/washington-nationals/2026/08/rangers-jacob-degrom-reaches-2000-strikeouts-in-2nd-fewest-games-and-innings-pitched/) — Confirms dual “second-fastest” status, age, and the 2-0 result on Aug 20, 2026.
  3. Baseball-Reference — Jacob deGrom career splits vs. Washington Nationals (https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=degrom01&year=Career&t=p#team) — Career vs. Nationals line (23 GS, 145 IP, 189 K, 2.30 ERA) for opponent fit.
  4. Field Level Media — Rangers’ Jacob deGrom becomes second fastest to 2,000 K’s (https://fieldlevelmedia.com/mlb/rangers-jacob-degrom-becomes-second-fastest-to-2000-ks/) — Supplies 272 games, 1,661 IP, six scoreless with 10 K, and combined one-hitter details.
  5. MLB.com — Chris Sale notches 2,000th career strikeout (https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-sale-2-000-career-strikeouts) — Establishes Sale’s 1,626 IP record for fewest innings to 2,000 Ks.
  6. NBC Sports — Chris Sale becomes fastest to 2,000 strikeouts (https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/chris-sale-becomes-fastest-to-2000-strikeouts) — Adds comparative “fastest to 2,000” context with Randy Johnson’s 262 games.
  7. Sportsnet — Rangers’ Jacob deGrom uses no-trade clause to block deal (https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/report-rangers-jacob-degrom-uses-no-trade-clause-to-block-deal/) — Confirms deGrom invoked his no-trade clause at the 2026 deadline.
  8. CBS Texas — Jacob deGrom invokes no-trade clause to stay with Texas Rangers (https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/jacob-degrom-invokes-no-trade-clause-to-stay-with-texas-rangers/) — Local confirmation and clubhouse framing of the decision.
  9. Wikipedia — Strikeouts per nine innings pitched (career leaders) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strikeouts_per_nine_innings_pitched) — Career K/9 context for deGrom (~10.97) used in rate and 3,000-K projections.
  10. MLB.com — Jacob deGrom’s 2018 season by the numbers (https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/jacob-degrom-s-2018-season-by-the-numbers-c296243326) — Verifies 2018 line (1.70 ERA, 269 K, 217 IP) and Cy Young context.
  11. MLB.com — Standings (Aug 22, 2026 snapshot) (https://www.mlb.com/standings) — Confirms Rangers 64–65 and Astros 65–64, one-game gap in the AL West.



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Boeuf Bourgignon | Made by Meaghan Moineau

Posted on by Meaghan Moineau

It was one of those early autumn evenings when the crisp air nudged me to cook something warm and comforting. I’d spent the day navigating a world of to-do lists, errands, and a minor kitchen mishap involving a forgotten batch of cookies. By the time evening rolled around, I needed a dish that felt both grounding and indulgent without demanding my whole evening. That’s when I remembered my trusty Boeuf Bourgignon. It’s the kind of dish that fills your home with a rich, savory aroma and makes you feel like a culinary wizard when, really, it’s the ingredients doing all the magic. This recipe is delightfully forgiving, turning a few humble staples into a cozy masterpiece after a good long simmer in the oven.

Jump to Recipe

What You’ll Need

This ingredient list might look a little long, but trust me, you probably have a lot of these things already hanging out in your pantry.

  • Button mushrooms
  • Butter
  • Un-smoked bacon
  • Vegetable oil
  • Boneless, well-trimmed beef chuck
  • Yellow onion
  • Shallots
  • Carrots
  • Black salt and pepper
  • Flour
  • Cognac
  • Beef stock
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Garlic cloves
  • Fresh thyme
  • Fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • Tomato paste
  • Bay leaf

How to Make Boeuf Bourgignon

  1. Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F). It’s a slow roast, so let the warmth seep through every corner of your kitchen.
  2. In a pan, sauté the mushrooms in butter until they’re brown and soft, filling the air with that delicious earthy aroma. Set them aside for later.
  3. In a deep-bottomed pot or casserole, sauté the bacon in a tablespoon of oil over moderate heat for about 2 to 3 minutes until it’s lightly browned. Use a slotted spoon to set it aside.
  4. Crank up the heat in the same pan until the fat is almost smoking, then sauté the beef in batches. Let it brown on all sides before adding it to the bacon. Remember, no crowding!
  5. Lower the heat to medium and in the same glorious fat, toss in the onions, shallots, and carrots. Cook them until the carrots are tender and the onions are translucent.
  6. Add these veggies to the beef and bacon mix. Pour out the sautéing fat — it’s done its duty.
  7. Return the beef to the casserole and sprinkle with flour. Toss it all around until the beef is lightly coated and there are no white flour traces left.
  8. Reintroduce the bacon and veggies, seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir in the cognac and enough beef stock to barely cover the meat.
  9. Add the garlic, thyme, parsley, tomato paste, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on the stove, letting all the flavors start to marry.
  10. Cover the casserole and set it in the oven. Cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. An hour in, add the mushrooms and stir in the cocoa powder for a secret touch of depth.
  11. Return to the oven until the meat is so tender, it practically begs for a fork.

Cook’s Notes

A few things to keep in mind: Make sure to dry the beef thoroughly before browning. Wet beef won’t brown properly, and we want that lovely crust! If you’re short on time, you can prep the veggies and bacon ahead of time, making the final preparation faster. This dish gets even better the next day, so don’t hesitate to make it ahead and let the flavors deepen overnight. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Make It Your Own

The beauty of Boeuf Bourgignon is its versatility. Here are some ideas to switch it up:

  • Swap the beef with crispy tofu for a vegetarian twist that’s just as hearty.
  • Try using red wine instead of cognac for a deeper, more robust flavor profile.
  • Add a handful of pearl onions during the last hour of cooking for a delightful pop of sweetness.
  • For a smoky kick, use smoked bacon instead of un-smoked.

If you try this, I’d love to hear how it turns out — drop a comment or tag me! Whether you’re cooking for one or a crowd, I hope this Boeuf Bourgignon becomes a staple in your cozy-weather repertoire just as it is in mine. Dig in and savor the warmth!

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Goes Well With

If you want to round out the meal, here’s what I’d pair it with over on meaghanmoineau.com:

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