Friday Newsletter time: Corey Seager's 'weird' feeling had nothing to do with Texas Rangers facing his old team
The shortstop homered Thursday against the Dodgers as he starts to get right at the plate this spring.
At some point this spring Corey Seager’s new team was going to play his old team.
It happened Thursday, when the Seager helped the Texas Rangers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-2 at Surprise Stadium. He connected for one of the Rangers’ five home runs.
His third homer of the spring came as a relief, not because it was against the Dodgers but because he said he had been in a “weird” place with his swing the past few days.
Most hitters go through stretches in spring training when they don’t feel quite right, but with a week until the season opener, Seager took a step forward Thursday.
“Better the last couple days,” he said. “You’re starting to get your legs underneath you, you’re getting the soreness out, and it’s time to start building up and getting ready for the season.”
Seager is tied for the team lead in homers with Brad Miller and Nick Solak, who figure to work in a platoon in left field. Solak also connected Thursday, as did Nathaniel Lowe, Jonah Heim and Joe McCarthy.
Heim is battling with Jose Trevino to be the backup to catcher Mitch Garver. That will be the hardest decision the Rangers make over the next week to set their Opening Day roster.
Six innings possible?
Left-hander Taylor Hearn allowed one run in four innings against the Dodgers, and he should be able to hit five innings his next time out.
That would be Tuesday, though it’s customary to have a starter only go a few innings in his spring finale. But this is no ordinary spring, so expect Hearn to at least match his outing Thursday and possibly get pushed to five.
That would mean he would be able to log six innings in his first regular-season start. If his schedule holds, that would fall April 10 at Toronto close out the first series of the season.
Hearn faced a potent Dodgers lineup, with former MVPs Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman batting 1-2. Trae Turner, Max Muncy and Justin Turner batted 3-4-5.
Freeman had the lone hit of that group against Hearn, who said he has been treating his spring games like they were in the regular season.
Card of the Week
I’m probably one of the few people outside of Durham, N.C., and the Duke alumni association who is actually rooting for the Blue Devils to win the national championship.
Why? Money.
If Duke wins it all, I win two tournament bracket contests. It won’t be enough money to retire, but it’ll be enough to buy me a nice new pair of running shoes.
Duke got me thinking if there were any Rangers with Duke ties. The one that comes to mind is prospect Evan Carter, who signed with the Rangers in 2020 despite being committed to Duke.
Another is one of my all-time favorite Rangers, Matt Harrison. He didn’t go to Duke, but he became a Duke fan growing up in North Carolina. His wife, Meghan, is North Carolina fan.
God help him Saturday as the longtime rivals play in the Final Four for the first time.
In an effort to send him (and my wallet) some good vibes, Harrison’s 2003 Bowman Chrome rookie is this week’s Card of the Week.
Great guy. Down to earth. He could be a handyman with all the amazing things he has built as his home in rural North Carolina.
It’s a shame what happened to his back and brought a premature end to his career.
Mike Krzyzewski’s career ends either Saturday or Monday. My pocketbook hopes Coach K goes until Monday and goes out with a win.
Doggy video!
Either this dog is really big oor this house is really small. I’m fine with what he’s doing, by the way. Enjoy. See you Monday.
