A 5-1 homestand didn’t fix Texas Rangers’ offense, but these dramatic changes might
The good news is the Texas Rangers are coming off a 5-1 homestand in which the offense was better than it had been all season.
The bad news is the offense still isn’t anywhere close to where it needs to be if the Rangers (8-9) are going to qualify for the expanded postseason.
Yes, that is a possibility no matter how bad things have looked at times.
But for the lineup to improve, changes must be made. And not just minor changes — the Rangers have featured a different lineup in all 17 of their games — but major changes.
The batting order below is probably too dramatic for manager Chris Woodward and general manager Jon Daniels.
It puts millions of dollars’ worth of contracts and the veterans they belong to on the bench, and has a couple rookies unseating veterans. It adds life to the bottom of the lineup, which has been a black hole, and it upgrades the defense.
The Rangers are headed to Colorado this weekend for a three-game series at the hitter-friendly Coors Field. They should find it easier to manufacture some runs playing a mile above sea level, and ought to snap the team’s streak of three games without a homer.
But the Rangers still have 19 games at pitcher-friendly Globe Life Field and 13 at three pitcher-friendly road venues. They are going to have to find ways to score more consistently and in a wider variety of ways.
This lineup might accomplish that, even if the team’s brain trust likely would never do it.
Shin-Soo Choo, lf
Choo has been hitting the ball hard routinely, though his average doesn’t necessarily show it. He can give his team an early run, and early jolt, with a leadoff homer, and he still has a keen eye at the plate. And the defense? It’s been better than most have come to expect from him.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, ss
Among the things that have gone right for the Rangers’ offense is Kiner-Falefa, who has the highest batting average of all American League third baseman from the No. 2 hole. He would replace the struggling Elvis Andrus as shortstop. While he has dazzled at third, Kiner-Falefa feels most comfortable at shortstop.
Nick Solak, 2b
Rougned Odor is about to run out of time. His ineffectiveness, especially with runners in scoring position, has been a devastating blow to the offense. Solak, meanwhile, has been one of the team’s best hitters. His natural position is second base, so he can leave center field to someone else.
Joey Gallo, rf
He has cooled off after a strong first week, making less contact and hitting into some back luck when he has made contact. But he’s the biggest threat the team has, and still has a knack for getting on base. Gallo says he is most comfortable in the clean-up spot, so it’s all his.
Todd Frazier, 3b
Perhaps the biggest surprise so far this season has been Frazier, who will take an eight-game hitting streak with him to Colorado. He has shown power, which the lineup badly lacks, but also he is also willing to shorten his swing and just make contact for singles. Third base is his best position.
Willie Calhoun, dh
Calhoun continues to wallow below .200, but it’s not because he’s striking out every other at-bat. Calhoun is making contact routinely, but isn’t driving the ball. That’s next, and it seems like it could be coming soon. He needs to focus on that and not worry about playing defense.
Leody Taveras, cf
If Danny Santana’s arm isn’t going to be healthy enough to play center field, the Rangers need to upgrade with the terrific defense of Taveras. He’s also a speedy switch hitter who in summer camp showed off his hit, power and speed tools. If he’s the center fielder of the future, give him the job now.
Derek Dietrich, 1b
The newcomer played second base Wednesday in his Rangers debut and left it batting 1.000. He singled, doubled, was hit by pitch and singled again.. He also stole second base, which led to the Rangers’ first run in the sixth inning. That’s good enough to work his way into the lineup against right-handers. Andrus would play against lefties, with Frazier at first and Kiner-Falefa at third.
Jose Trevino, c
Robinson Chirinos hasn’t produced in his return to the Rangers, and veteran Jeff Mathis has never hit much in his career despite an OK start to this season. Trevino, though, has made significant changes to his swing and approach, and they will better complement his terrific defensive skills. Plus, pitchers have become comfortable working with him.
This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 11:59 AM.
