Texas Rangers Rookie Evan Carter Calms Nerves for First World Series Game

Once the Game 1 of the World Series started against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers rookie outfielder Evan Carter played as he has throughout the postseason.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Evan Carter’s first World Series game seemed a lot like every other postseason game he’s played this October.

In his first at-bat against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen, Carter took an outside fastball opposite field for a double that scored Corey Seager for the first run in the Texas Rangers’ eventual a 6-5, 11-inning victory in Game 1.

He looked cool, calm and collected. But, before he stepped on the field, he admitted, finally, to some nerves.

“It was probably the most nervous I’ve been before a game, and for good reason,” Carter said. “But, you know what? That’s just before the game. Once the game starts, everything just kind of calms down and that’s what you’re used to doing.”

Evan Carter strokes a RBI double during the first inning to give the Rangers an early 1-0 over Arizona in Game 1 of the World Series / © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Carter, 21 and the Rangers’ top prospect before being called up in September, seems to have made a cottage industry out of calmness in this postseason.

Never mind that he became the second-youngest person to start Game 1 of a World Series at 21 years and 59 days old. The youngest is Yankees Hall of Fame Mickey Mantle.

Little seems to rattle him once the game starts. Friday was no different. He was 2-for-6 with a run scored and one driven in.

Carter extended his MLB-best postseason on-base streak to 13 games with the RBI double. No player 21 or younger has ever done that in the postseason. He left future Hall-of-Famer Miguel Cabrera, who did it in 10 games with the Marlins in 2003, in the dust during the American League Championship Series win over the Houston Astros.

Carter also remained a .300 postseason hitter, as he now bats .311 going into Game 2. He occupies a coveted spot in the order at No. 3, sandwiched between Game 1 heroes Seager and Adolis García.

Teams would rather pitch to Carter than either of them, but Carter doesn’t make it easy. He has great plate discipline. His double was a good example. It was an outside fastball and Carter just went with it that way.

He’s a rookie that teams seem unable to rattle. He’s fit in with the slow heartbeat of this team.

“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.”

Game 2 is Saturday night back at Globe Life Field. Jordan Montgomery (Texas) and Merrill Kelly (Arizona) are the scheduled starters, with first pitch set for 7:03 p.m.

Seager Making Rangers History in World Series

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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