By: Nicholas Gilanfar
With heavy blows regarding the news of Max Scherzer and Adolis Garcia on the injury front, The Texas Rangers still remained resilient and was able to take Game 4 in dominating fashion with a 11-7 victory.
With the Game 4 victory the Texas Rangers are officially one game away from winning their first world series in franchise history.
The Rangers in all postseasons have been known for starting fast as they were able to log back-to-back five run innings in both the second and third innings. Arizona was forced to throw a bullpen game in the time being due to a lack of an abundance for starting pitching as Joe Mantiply started off things for the Diamondbacks. The Arizona Relivers had a tough time retiringthe Rangers lineup as the score was 10-0 after three innings featuring home runs from the dynamic infield duo in Corey Seager and Marcus Semien.
Prior to the game it was noted that Max Scherzer and ALCS MVP Adolis Garcia will miss the remainder of the world series due to injury. The corresponding moves that took place in the roster moves were the removal of both Scherzer and Garcia and the addition of RP Brock Burke and OF Ezequiel Duran to the World Series roster. Losing both Scherzer and Garcia leaves a hole, but there is no doubt the Rangers next in line will show up and fill that void which is what happened tonight with the performances of Andrew Heaney and Travis Jankowski.
Andrew Heaney’s Mound Dominance
Slated to start in game four for the Texas Rangers was Andrew Heaney as he was looking to make his third start in the postseason. The last start he made was in Game four of the ALCS which was highly questionable regarding his credibility as a starter in the playoff rotation as he was plunked early by only pitching 0.2 innings while letting up four hits and three runs.
In Game 4, Andrew Heaney came to the mound with a different energy as he was able to capitalize the Rangers dynamic offensive performance with some door-closing pitching. Heaney was able to stick around for five innings while only letting up four hits, a run and forcing three strikeouts. The pitching performance from Heaney gives Ranger fans a breath of fresh air as his dominance on the mound results in one step closer to closing the series out.
Travis Jankowski steps up in a defining way
Travis Jankowski is a name most have not heard this postseason, but his contributions during the season allowed him to make a curtain call in the biggest stage as he was slated in the nine-hole ahead of his first postseason start in 2023. Jankowski went 2-4 with two runs and two RBIs in game four of the world series as he was able to fill the void in light of the injury to Adolis Garcia.
Before the emergence of LF Evan Carter, the left field position was rotated through Robbie Grossman, Ezequiel Duran and Travis Jankowski as all three guys have made their presence felt in high leverage situations. Grossman through the postseason has had his chance to make an impact and was kept in mind for the start but Bochy wanted to initiate something different and see what kind of contributions Jankowski can make.
Jankowski has been a journeyman over the last couple years as he joined the Rangers Spring Training roster and earned himself a spot on the opening day roster. Since then, Jankowski has made an impact in and out of the clubhouse as he will find himself as a key contributor in bringing the Texas Rangers their first World Series championship.
#GoAndTakeIt
Photo Via RJ Anderson/ CBS Sports