Texas Rangers Move Evan Carter to Third in Order for First Time Ever for ALCS Game 3 Against Houston Astros
ARLINGTON, Texas – Evan Carter’s climb with the Texas Rangers took another step Wednesday as the club prepared for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros.
The Rangers lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 with up to three games at Globe Life Field. Game 3 is scheduled to start at 7:03 p.m.
For the first time, Carter was hitting third in the lineup, a spot traditionally used for one of the team’s top hitters.
Carter, of course, has played in 30 Major League games counting the postseason.
He started 18 games from the No. 9 spot in the regular season and once from the No. 8 spot. In the playoffs, Carter batted fifth in the first four postseason games. In Game 2 of the ALCS against Houston, Carter came off the bench as a replacement for Robbie Grossman who was on the No. 3 spot.
Texas manager Bruce Bochy doesn’t think too much of the batting order move for the 21-year-old outfielder.
“After seeing him for four, five or six games whatever, I said ‘This kid could hit at the top of the order,’” Bochy said. “I liked him where he was. He was flipping the order. He was a good table setter. We decided to move him to him to the five hole. It didn’t faze him. I knew it wouldn’t faze him. So it just made sense.”
Carter hit .312 in the regular season with an on-base percentage of .413. In the five playoff games, he’s hitting .350 and became the first player in Major League history to have an extra-base hit, walk and run scored in his first three postseason games.
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