Texas Rangers 2, Minnesota Twins 10

The first number makes Jacob deGrom and Joe Ryan look almost identical.

Ryan has a 3.83 ERA. deGrom is at 3.86.

The similarities thin out from there.

deGrom has a 3.11 FIP, 1.10 WHIP and 11.1 strikeouts per nine across 158.2 innings. Ryan’s 3.75 FIP and 1.18 WHIP are higher, though the Minnesota right-hander owns the better walk rate at 1.9 per nine and has produced quality starts at a nearly identical rate.

For Texas, the timing of the matchup matters. The Rangers are 79-80 and three games from the listed AL Wild Card position. They have won six of their last 10, but there is little room for a prolonged slide with the schedule running short.

Minnesota sits farther back at 75-84, yet the Twins have already caused Texas problems this season. They won all three previous meetings.

Their offense has also been more productive. Minnesota averages 4.53 runs per game, 10th in MLB, compared with 4.16 for Texas. The Rangers’ pitching edge does not extend cleanly to the bullpen, where both clubs have struggled: Texas relievers own a 4.45 ERA and Minnesota sits at 4.76.

That puts extra weight on the opening innings.

Texas has deGrom and a chance to start the series behind one of the best strikeout arms in the supplied starter pool. Minnesota has Ryan, a better-scoring lineup and a 3-0 season record against the Rangers.

The ERA difference between the starters is almost nothing. The reasons this opener matters go well beyond ERA.