Yesterday, the 2023 MLB Divisional Series round began with much excitement surrounding each matchup. The first premiere game happened between the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles. Texas has proved itself to be an American League dark horse by sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card Series and winning game one against the O’s 3-2. Baltimore lost a golden opportunity by not winning this game-one matchup at home. This might be a game the Orioles regret in the long haul. Game two will be played today, with both teams eager to win. The Rangers could prove to many that they’ve been a World Series contender since the beginning of the season, while the O’s want revenge for their game one loss. Let’s examine what happened during game one and some key players that may impact this series.
Rangers Find a Way to Win on the Road
The Rangers got on the board first in the top of the fourth inning. Left fielder Evan Carter knocked a double into right field, scoring Adolis García from second base. In the next at-bat, catcher Jonah Heim hit an RBI single into left field, making it a 2-0 Texas ballgame. They would get their first run in during the next half-inning for Baltimore. O’s first baseman Ryan Mountcastle slapped an RBI double, rolling to the left field wall.
Rangers third baseman Josh Jung would extend his team’s lead during the top of the sixth inning by slugging a solo home run into center field. In the bottom of the sixth, O’s designated hitter Anthony Santander trashed a lone home run to right-center area. Baltimore would trail 3-2 for the remainder of the time, as that would be our final score of game one, with Texas surprisingly taking this one on the road.
Key Players for the Texas Rangers
Although he went one for five in yesterday’s win, Adolis García must be a key player for the Texas Rangers. García leads Texas in home runs and runs batted in while ranking third in hits. During the Wild Card series against the Rays, you could say Adolis was not productive for his team. He went two for ten in those two games facing Tampa Bay and is now three for fifteen in the 2023 postseason. The Rangers have plenty of great talent, but with García’s head in the game, the Rangers could push the limit.
The most vital bat for the Texas Rangers is shortstop Corey Seager. In the three playoff games he’s played in, Seager already has collected five hits. Against Tampa Bay, he went four for eight with two doubles and two runs batted in. In yesterday’s win over the O’s, Corey was walked twice while also having a hit. Baltimore’s pitching staff knows that Seager can be the type of guy who can make memorable moments occur with just one swing. If Corey Seager crushes the life out of the O’s pitching staff, this series could be a wrap for Texas.
Our last key player for the Texas Rangers is starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. In his career, Jordan has been bounced around from the Yankees to the Cardinals and now with Texas. After this season, he’ll be a free agent looking for a massive contract if he pitches to perfection in this postseason. Montgomery pitched game one of the Wild Card series against the Rays. He pitched seven innings, allowing no runs, just six hits, while striking out five batters. He’ll face this O’s lineup for the first time this season. Be on the lookout for Jordan to bring his a-game on the mound.
Key Players for the Baltimore Orioles
There is plenty of young talent on this Orioles squad. Some could have done their job in yesterday’s loss over the Rangers. One guy who must step up for the O’s to have a chance in this series is infielder Gunnar Henderson. In the loss yesterday, Gunnar went one for four. This guy was tied with Anthony Santander for the most home runs on the Orioles in his second primary league season. Henderson leads the O’s in slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging percentage. Baltimore cannot ease their way back into things during game two; they must go straight into attack mode. That all starts with Gunnar Henderson.
Another young player who must attend the occasion is catcher Adley Rutschman. Adley did not receive a hit in four attempts yesterday. He’s been another unbelievable young Oriole, bringing promise to this franchise. Throughout his first two seasons, Rutschman has almost piled on 270 hits. If the Orioles want to continue competing in the postseason, he must get his game going today. It will be devastating for the team and fans if they go down 2-0 in a best-of-five series against the Rangers after playing these first two games at home.
The game-two starter for the Orioles will be rookie Grayson Rodriguez, who’s given up 121 hits in 23 starts. That averages to five hits allowed per start. Rodriguez went 7-4 during the regular season with a 4.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts. Grayson looked prolific in his last regular season start against the Washington Nationals. He pitched five and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on six hits. He also struck out five batters while throwing 58 pitches. If Grayson can stay ahead of this Rangers lineup all during game two, then the O’s could tie this series up at one game apiece.
Main Photo Credits: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
