HOUSTON – Unsung heroes often tell the biggest stories in crucial games.
Texas Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras might be the last hitter in the lineup, but he's continued to do his job through two games of the American League Championship Series: Get on base and give the top of the lineup a chance to strike.
"He's been great," second baseman Marcus Semien said. "He works extremely hard every single day. I feel like personally, I'm very routine oriented, and he's definitely routine oriented, too. He's learned a lot about his swing, and he plays every day.
"His at-bats have been great in the postseason when it matters."
Taveras' plate appearances have been great this postseason, but they've reached new heights as the Rangers head back to Arlington with a 2-0 lead over the Houston Astros. Texas looks to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series Wednesday night at Globe Life Field.
On Sunday, his solo home run off Justin Verlander cushioned the lead for Jordan Montgomery to secure a 2-0 victory in Game 1.
On Monday, it was more of the same. Taveras finished 1-for-2 but also drew two walks, including one in the third inning that ended Astros starter Framber Valdez's afternoon.
"That's what you're looking for from the guy hitting ninth," said Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. "He's done a great job of doing that all year, taking his walks and getting the base hits, too.
"But he's got a good eye at the plate. And he's gotten so much better; That's probably the biggest improvement in his game is not expanding the zone, taking the walks when they give them to him."
Taveras is different from your average No. 9 hitter. Sure, he's not sending off-speed pitches to the stands every at-bat, but his plate patience has allowed him to be a viable threat to keep innings alive during Texas' seven-game playoff winning streak.
Take for instance the third inning; Valdez delivered back-to-back changeups low and outside, but Taveras didn't budge. Three pitches later, he was standing first while Dusty Baker was headed to the mound.
After that, Houston's bullpen delivered 6 1/3 innings of no-run baseball. The five-man staff combined for six strikeouts, two walks and a hit. The hit? A one-out triple from Taveras in the sixth inning off JP France.
"He's dangerous up there," Bochy said. "They have to be careful with him. That's what you want, that guy to get on for Marcus and Corey [Seager], and all year he's done that for us."
Through seven games, Taveras is slashing .333/.440/.524 with a home run, three RBI and a .964 OPS. He leads the team in swiped bags with two, while his seven hits are tied for second behind third baseman Josh Jung.
Taveras also has been exceptional defensively, and his only mishap on the base path came on a bang-bang play where Alex Bregman doubled him off on a lineout.
"Guys who play every day get better faster," Semien said. "He stayed healthy and worked hard to keep his body healthy."
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