The seldom spoken phase of the Texas Rangers’ game that helped spur a possible championship run
In a season where success on the mound and in the batter’s box has fluctuated throughout the year, one constant for the Texas Rangers throughout the 162-game regular-season and their torrid postseason run: Their defense.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said it’s been a key element for the Rangers all season, including their play in the American League Championship Series. The Rangers owned a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the Astros heading into Game 3 at Globe Life Field on Wednesday.
The Rangers led the league in fielding percentage, ranked fifth in double plays and committed the second fewest errors.
The Rangers were rewarded for their defense on Wednesday when five players were announced as finalists for a Golden Glove Award., an honor is annually given out to the best defenders at each position in the MLB.
The Rangers selected were first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, shortstop Corey Seager, second baseman Marcus Semien, catcher Jonah Heim and outfielder Adolis Garcia.
“I mean, you’ve seen out there every day, these guys are working on their [defensive] game, they’ve been relentless with that.,” Bochy said.
“The outfield, infield, (coach) Bobby Wilson with the catchers. So I thank the staff for the time that they put in and the players that there were willing to go out there and work on it every day, it’s easy to, you know, take that day or two off, but every day they been working.”
Seager, one of the Rangers selected as Golden Glove finalist, credited former Rangers manager Chris Woodward with being the biggest factor in his defensive improvement throughout the years.
Meeting with the media prior to Game 3 on Wednesday, Seager spoke about what it meant to be nominated. But he said he is more focused on the larger prize.
“Yeah, obviously really exciting, you know, I guess anytime you can be considered for any awards, it’s an accomplishment, so super happy about it. Try not to focus too much time on it obviously because we’re in the playoffs,” said Seager.
Despite having five Rangers selected, Bochy said he still felt a few players had been snubbed.
“I’m proud of these guys that, you know, we have five guys that are finalists and a couple I think that were left out to be honest. Josh Jung and [Leody] Taveras, they both have had fine years defensively, but I’m proud of how these guys have separated their offense from their defense and just done a great job out there,” Bochy said.
The Rangers focus on defense has been evident throughout their playoff run with plays like outfielder Evan Carter in game 1 of the ALCS where he made a spectacular catch that he turned into a game-changing double play.
Bochy said the team’s defensive focus has been harped on since the beginning of the season.
“That’s one thing we’ve talked about so much since spring is the importance of our defense. We go out and we acquire pitching, but it’s critical that we work on this defense and that has to show up every day. The pitching is gonna come and go at times, the hitting will, but one thing we can do is focus on defense every day,” said Bochy.
