Texas Rangers Search for Offensive Consistency
ARLINGTON — In a search for offensive consistency again, the Texas Rangers will once again play a game of tweak-the-lineup.
“I’ll go as they go in certain positions,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday morning, “with who’s swinging the bat well.”
Struggles of Adolis García
Right fielder Adolis García, who’s been dropped from his usual cleanup spot in each of the three games vs. Philadelphia, is among those who’ve not swung well as of late. He’s slashed .210/.258/.355 with 17 strikeouts in his last 15 games, hit sixth in the series’ first two games vs. the Phillies and batted fifth Sunday vs. right-hander Zack Wheeler.
García‘s struggles were most on display in Wednesday’s series finale vs. the New York Yankees, in which he recorded inning-ending outs with a runner in scoring position four times. To make a significant change to the heart of their order, though, the Rangers need to believe they have a demonstratively better option.
Changes to the Lineup
They hit outfielder Wyatt Langford (whose .729 OPS since July 1 is the second-best among qualified Texas hitters) in the four-hole against two left-handed starters Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, vs. Wheeler, the Rangers opted to bat designated hitter Joc Pederson in the cleanup spot. He delivered with a two-run home run to right field in the first inning and a walk in the third before Sam Haggerty replaced him in the sixth.
Joc Pederson’s Performance
It was Pederson’s 15th start in cleanup this season and his first since May 10 vs. the Detroit Tigers. Bochy acknowledged that he’s seen a “different look” about Pederson since he first began to ramp up after a broken hand sidelined him for two months. The 33-year-old reached base safely in six consecutive plate appearances in a three-game series vs. the New York Yankees and hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Monday’s win.
“I think he’s in a good place now with his timing,” Bochy said. “Getting good swings off — that’s what you’re looking for.”
Rangers’ Needs
That’s what the Rangers need.
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Conclusion
The Texas Rangers are searching for offensive consistency and are making changes to their lineup to achieve this goal. With players like Adolis García struggling and others like Joc Pederson performing well, the team is trying to find the right combination to succeed. By tweaking their lineup and giving players like Pederson a chance to shine, the Rangers hope to find the consistency they need to win games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is the manager of the Texas Rangers?
A: The manager of the Texas Rangers is Bruce Bochy.
Q: Who has been struggling with the Texas Rangers?
A: Adolis García has been struggling with the Texas Rangers, slashing .210/.258/.355 with 17 strikeouts in his last 15 games.
Q: Who hit a two-run home run for the Texas Rangers on Sunday?
A: Joc Pederson hit a two-run home run for the Texas Rangers on Sunday.
Q: How can I get the latest news on the Texas Rangers?
A: You can get the latest news on the Texas Rangers by signing up for their newsletter or visiting their website.
