Evan Carter went 0-for-3 yesterday. Cactus League stats don’t matter, of course. But what does matter is his first two at-bats were against two different left-handed pitchers. He struck out against Jhonathan Diaz in the first, then grounded out against Danny Wirchansky in the third. His last at-bat was against a righty.

The burden of spring rests squarely on Evan Carter’s back. It’s a back that allowed him to play in only 45 games last season.

Unlike almost any other player on the Rangers roster, Carter’s spring does matter. He needs to prove he can hit lefties. He doesn’t have to crush. He just has to be good enough to get on at better than the .150 on-base percentage he currently sports.

Carter is just twenty-two. He’s a kid everyone pulls for.

The Rangers should give him every possible at-bat against lefties they can find. The only way he is going to learn is by getting his chances. And the only way the Rangers are going to learn what they really have is by giving him those chances.

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TODAY’S CACTUS LEAGUE GAME:

Chicago Cubs vs Texas, 2:05

Radio: MLB audio