Texas Rangers Would 'Love To Stay Away From' Jose Leclerc after World Series Game 1 Win
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers should be proud of the work their bullpen did in Game 1 of the World Series.
But it also means there may be more to manage for Bruce Bochy in Game 2 on Saturday night at Globe Life Field.
The Rangers manager said that only Jon Gray — who threw nearly two innings in Friday’s game — would be unavailable for Saturday’s game. Jordan Montgomery, who has pitched deep in game during the postseason, is starting for Texas.
He also expressed that he’d like to stay away from closer José Leclerc, if possible. But like the rest of the pitchers that threw on Friday, Bochy said they’ll go through their process to determine who is available and who is not before the game.
After getting the win in the World Series opener Friday, Jose Leclerc may be available Saturday night if needed by the Rangers in Game 2.
“The normal thing is to play toss and they’ll let us know (how they feel),” Bochy said. “Leclerc, he went two innings, and we’ll check on him. Obviously we’d love to stay away from him but he may tell us that he’s good. And he’ll be honest with us.”
The bullpen was one of the Rangers’ biggest weapons in Game 1. As Bochy turned things over to Dane Dunning after Nathan Eovaldi struggled with command and was unable to get out of the fifth inning, the Rangers were already down 5-3.
The Diamondbacks never scored again, as the Texas bullpen combined for 6 1/3 innings of no-run baseball. The five pitchers — Dunning, Cody Bradford, Gray, Will Smith and Leclerc — also allowed just two hits and struck out six.
Leclerc’s stint ended the game and the closer went two innings and got six critical outs. But it was his first two-inning stint of the postseason. The longest he went previously was 1 1/3 innings against Houston on Oct. 20. That was two days after he also went 1 1/3 innings against the Astros.
He might be the one-inning reliever Bochy stays away from Saturday, depending upon how the game goes. Leclerc has gone on back-to-back days three times this postseason, but never went more than 1 1/3 innings in any of those stints.
For his part, Leclerc declared himself ready during pregame on Saturday.
“I think I can pitch again tonight if needed,” Leclerc said. “I didn’t throw that many pitches.”
Leclerc threw 26 pitches on Friday.
Gray told reporters after Friday’s game that he would be willing to pitch another inning in relief if called upon. But Gray, who is normally a starter, also said that he hadn’t pitched in back-to-back games since high school.
World Series Schedule, Rangers lead 1-0 (all times CT)
Friday: Game 1, Texas 6, Arizona 5 (11)
Saturday: Game 2, Arizona at Texas, FOX (7:03 p.m.)
Monday: Game 3, Texas at Arizona, FOX (7:03 p.m.)
Tuesday: Game 4, Texas at Arizona, FOX (7:03 p.m.)
Wednesday: Game 5, Texas at Arizona (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)
Friday, Nov. 3: Game 6, Arizona at Texas (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 4: Game 7, Arizona at Texas (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)
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