ARLINGTON — Here’s one way to contextualize the volatility of this Texas Rangers lineup: Dustin Harris, who was designated for assignment last month and returned to the major leagues because he was he club’s only realistic option after another injury, hit in the heart of the order Saturday in a pivotal game vs. a Cy Young contender.
It’s something new each day.
Even the manager has to figure it out on the fly.
“No,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said before Saturday’s game vs. the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field when asked if he has a solid grasp on how he wants this lineup to look on a daily basis. “I can’t say that.”
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It’s hard to blame him. The Rangers have lost second baseman Marcus Semien (foot), outfielder Evan Carter (wrist), shortstop Corey Seager (appendectomy) and right fielder Adolis García (quad) to injuries of various lengths within the last two weeks. Seven of their available position players on Saturday either began the season in the minor leagues or with a different organization.
“It’s about adapting to the club you have, dealing with injuries and moving guys around,” Bochy said. “You try and get a lineup that gives you the best chance against who’s pitching. That’s what we do, and sometimes that means moving the order around a little bit.”
The Rangers moved shortstop Josh Smith back into the leadoff position Saturday after a one-day break in the nine-hole and started Harris — whose walk-off single powered Friday’s 4-3 win — at right field and in the five-hole between first baseman Jake Burger and third baseman Josh Jung. It stacked three left-handed hitters among their top six to face Astros right-hander Hunter Brown.
It’s an entirely different lineup than the one the Rangers used Friday, though that’s largely because of pitcher handedness, but it’s not entirely off-course for what’s been a patchwork attempt to proceed forward amidst mass attrition.
The closest thing to identical lineups that the Rangers have been able to use in consecutive games came last Saturday and Sunday against the Athletics, when everyone except for the catchers — Higashioka and Jonah Heim — held their same positions in the order in back-to-back games.
Twitter: @McFarland_Shawn
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