Texas Rangers Rookies Deliver in World Series Win Over Arizona Diamondbacks
For a team that "bought its way" to the World Series, the homegrown talent seems to be making headlines for the Texas Rangers.
Corey Seager's two-run homer off Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald deserves more than a few cap tips and a standing ovation. The legend of "Mr. Octubre" or "El Bombi" continues to expand with each long ball sent to the bleachers by Adolis García.
But before Seager sent a fastball hurling through Globe Life Field, before García sent fans home happy with a 6-5 extra-inning win, it was Evan Carter making history for the American League champs.
That happened before even Nathan Eovaldi took the mound.
Carter became the second-youngest member in MLB history to bat third in a World Series lineup, joining Mickey Mantle from the New York Yankees in 1952. At the age of 21 years and 59 days, Carter had Globe Life rocking early, zipping a fastball off D-backs starter Zac Gallen for an RBI double to right to score Seager from first.
Josh Jung had two hits in Game 1 of the World Series for the Texas Rangers.
Carter, who's slashing .311/.436/.556 with nine extra-base hits and nine walks in the postseason, finished 2-of-6 with a pair of doubles. The kid called up from Triple-A Round Rock to replace García due to injury in September has now become an influential bat in October, reaching base in all 13 playoff outings.
"We got to see a bunch of the bullpen guys tonight, which was nice," Carter said after Game 1. It’ll be good going into the next couple of games to kind of remember what I did against them.”
Carter might be a rookie, but the clubhouse considers him wise beyond his years. He's still learning, a dangerous thought for foes thinking Texas is a one-and-done roster after the confetti falls at Globe Life Field or Chase Field.
And sure, Carter's two hits were joined by two strikeouts, but rookies are supposed to be role players, not standouts on the biggest stage of their young careers. But he wasn't the only rookie drawing rave reviews.
Josh Jung continued to time up his swing, finishing 2-of-5 with a pair of singles. Singles keep innings alive and batting averages high. Jung, who's slashing 300/.327/.580 this postseason, improved his OPS rating to .907, fourth-highest behind Seager, García and Carter.
This could just be the start for Jung, too. Power resides in the third baseman's hands when facing the right pitches. He proved that Game 3 of the ALCS, becoming the first Rangers' rookie with a multi-home run performance.
Texas, a franchise that invested in star power two offseason ago, reaped the benefits in Game 1 of the Fall Classic. Seager, who kick started the 11-4 win in Game 7 of the ALCS with a solo home run in the first, continued to live up to his $325 million name with a blast that reset the game's outcome.
Reliever Jon Gray, who inked a four-year, $56 million contract, notched a strikeout for each year left on the contract, including three in the eighth while working around a two-out single.
Yes, the Rangers spent big to expect grand results, but they also struggled, thus bolstering their farm system with the stars of tomorrow.
"Everybody is playing for each other," Carter said. "Nobody’s trying to go out there for individual goals and stats right now. All this team cares about is winning. And that’s why we’re going to play for each other and win."
Jung, who was a serious candidate to win AL Rookie of the Year before a thumb injury sidelined him, has arrived. As for Carter, he's only getting warmed up for his actual first year come next April.
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