Should Texas Rangers Move Marcus Semien Out of Leadoff Spot For ALCS Game 6?

Texas Rangers all-star second baseman Marcus Semien had a great season but he's struggling in the postseason. Should Bruce Bochy move him out of the lead-off spot for ALCS Game 6?

ARLINGTON, Texas — Even when he smokes the ball, it's an out.

That's how it typically goes for a batter in a hitting slump, especially someone with as many skins on the wall as Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien.

Semien's lineout to shortstop Grae Kessinger, who made a leaping grab, prevented a potential game-tying RBI single in the ninth inning as the Houston Astros held off the Rangers 5-4 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday at Globe Life Field.

The Astros lead the ALCS 3-2 and can advance to the World Series with a Game 6 win. First pitch is 7:07 p.m. Sunday at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Marcus Semien reacts to Game 5 loss ... pic.twitter.com/poDxMbYDVo

— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) October 21, 2023

Semien was 0-for-4 Friday and is hitting a team-low .159 in the postseason. In the ALCS, Semien is hitting .143 with no RBI, two runs and a walk.

In Friday's loss, he popped out in his first two at-bats, including with one out and runners on the corners in the third.

"Never been so frustrated on the field," Semien said to a wall of reporters. "I'm getting pitches to hit, [I've] faced [Justin] Verlander a ton of times and got some pitches to hit and didn’t do what I wanted to do.

"That's how today went, that’s how the last couple of games have gone. I’m not going to stop working. Tough lineout ... finally hit something decent and didn’t have anything to show for it. Off the bat, I felt like it had a chance to tie the game."

Semien said he didn't attempt to bunt pinch-runner Josh Smith to third because the Rangers didn't want Astros closer Ryan Pressly to intentionally walk Corey Seager. Seager flew out to center for the second out and Smith didn't attempt to tag up.

"He's trying to find his way," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said of Semien. "But with that said, you look at the ninth inning, he smokes that ball. We can use a little luck there, too. The ball gets by, and it's a different ballgame. He lined out to short, that's all you could do. It was a good at-bat there."

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semein was double-up on Corey Seager's lineout in Game 3 Wednesday / Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

Should Bochy consider moving Semien out of the leadoff spot in the lineup in Game 6? Bochy was asked about it before Game 5 after he moved No. 8-9 hitter Leody Taveras up to No. 5 on Friday.

But Semien is one of the veteran leaders on the team and in the clubhouse. He's batted leadoff in every game this season. Not only could a move backfire for Semien, but it could signal panic to his teammates. 

Before Game 5, Bochy wasn't considering it.

"No, Marcus is the leadoff hitter," Bochy said. "That's not an area I'm looking to change. [Semien and Seager] had so much to do with us being where we're at so I couldn't mess with our 1-2 guys."

Garcia Doesn't Regret Actions, Reactions in Game 5

You can follow Stefan Stevenson on Twitter @StefanVersusTex.

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