Travis Jankowski Fills Adolis Garcia Void, Texas Rangers Nearing World Series Victory

Travis Jankowski joins the list of role players becoming essential to the Texas Rangers' success in the 2023 World Series.

Every player dreams of getting the chance to step into the batter's box in the World Series. 

But the way Texas Rangers outfielder Travis Jankowski made his World Series debut on Monday night came with concern. All-Star right fielder and postseason superstar Adolis Garcia had just left the game with an injury after flying out in the eighth. 

Rangers fans didn't know it yet, but it was Garcia's final World Series moment in 2023. 

Yet therein lies the beauty of this Texas squad, which improved to 10-0 on the road with an 11-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 4 Tuesday at Chase Field and is a win away from claiming its first World Series title. One man goes out, and another steps up.

"To be able to do it in a World Series is something special, but the job is not done yet," said Jankowski, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in his first-career World Series start. "Tonight was a huge team effort. It’s kind of been the mentality of this team the whole year. We haven’t had the healthiest of seasons so it's been the next-man-up mentality. So it felt good to go out there and contribute tonight."

Jankowski was batting ninth and helped Texas build a stunning 10-0 lead early in Game 4.

"We had no doubts about Jenko today and he's proved that he's a true gamer and he's going to take his knocks and hit the ball hard and put together good at-bats," catcher Jonah Heim said. "He jumped right in the lineup and we knew what to expect."

Texas Rangers left fielder Travis Jankowski (16) hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning in game four of the 2023 World Series at Chase Field / © Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

With Garcia removed from the World Series roster, Bruce Bochy mulled over options in a combination of offensive consistency and defense. Texas added Ezekiel Duran to the active roster, and Robbie Grossman had experience hitting in the No. 3 hole while rotating in left with rookie Evan Carter.

But Jankowski, who picked up a pinch-hit single against the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS, was the hot hand and got the first crack in right. He didn't miss the first time at the plate, sending a sinker to center field for a single.

The next time up, it was more of the same. The right-hander who bats left launched an 89-mph cutter to right field for an RBI double to score two and make it 7-0. Two pitches later, he came around to score on a three-run homer from previous-slumping second baseman Marcus Semien. 

"He knew the kind of caliber of play that he needed to come with and he's very much capable of doing that," first baseman Nathaniel Lowe said.

Jankowski's role with the Rangers has been simple: fill in when players need rest and make the most of his plate appearances. For the most part, he's played the part well, slashing .263/.357/.332 with a home run and 30 RBI in 99 games. 

But this is the World Series. It's win or go home. Rangers fans know the feeling of seeing a championship slide out of reach just before the finish line. 

Jankowski, 32, didn't disappoint. He worked counts in his favor and made contact to push D-backs pitchers to their limits. 

Jankowski made his presence known defensively, too. In the seventh, he and Semien chased down a Geraldo Perdomo fly ball. Neither player caved, leading to Jankowski sliding low to make the catch. Semien flew forward, but a quick pat on the back ensured he was fine. Consider that a plus since the Rangers can't afford any more injuries. 

"He's done a tremendous job. Got pressed into a starting role there for a while when we had our injuries and really picked us up when we needed it," manager Bruce Bochy said pregame. "Solid all around. Smart player. Good defender. Speed. He's a guy that can handle the bat. He can bunt. He does a good job putting the ball in play, all the little things you like from a Major League player.

"He was a big pickup for us this year because we needed him."

Garcia had been more than "Mr. Octubre" for Texas over the past month. He'd been the heart of the engine that kept morale high. His swings sent Rangers fans into a frenzy, and dreams of a World Series title became more of a reality. 

Role players have been essential in setting up the Rangers for a moment fans have been waiting 52 years to see — from Jon Gray to Heaney to Mitch Garver to Evan Carter. 

Add Jankowski to the list, now. Not bad for a veteran who signed a minor-league contract in January to keep his MLB dreams alive.

"You dream about it, but at that point, it didn’t seem like too much of a reality," Jankowski said of prospects of playing the World Series during spring training. "I can’t thank [general manager Chris Young] and this organization enough for giving me this chance."

Can he put his World Series experience in perspective?

"Honestly, right now there’s not a lot of time to reflect on it," he said. "I’ll reflect on it over Thanksgiving with my friends and family, but right now it’s ‘let’s go get one more and get that ring.'"

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