The Rangers don’t hit a lot of home runs.
They have hit just fourteen home runs in 2020. Mike Trout has nine.
In fact, no team has hit fewer home runs than the Texas Rangers (with the exception of the Cardinals who took off a week and a half and, in seven games, have eight home runs).
They don’t hit them often. But when they hit them, they really count.
After being swept by Oakland to fall to 4-8, Texas has won seven of eight games, to miraculously get one game above .500.
And in those eight games, they have hit a total of three home runs.
Last Saturday, Joey Gallo hit a two-run homer in the Rangers 2-0 victory over the Angels in the second game of that series.
Five games later they hit another one. Nick Solak hit the game-deciding home run in Friday night’s 3-2 victory over the Rockies.
Then last night, Derek Dietrich hit a three-run homer that was the difference in their 6-4 win over the Rockies.
There are different hammers for a reason. You use the upholstery hammer to tap in the dainty little nails. You use the sledge hammer to pound in the spikes.
Right now, the Rangers offense is using the right hammer for the job.
They are doing what they need to do to win. With a whole lot of small ball. And the occasional long ball when they really need it.
They don’t have much offense. But they have enough.
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TODAY’S GAME:
Kolby Allard (0-0, 1.00) vs. Jon Gray (0-2, 6.41)
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