Matt Quatraro moved struggling Royals hitter to leadoff spot. It worked in a big way
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro made an instinctive decision ahead of Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees.
Quatraro inserted third baseman Maikel Garcia into the leadoff spot. It was a swift change as Royals second baseman Michael Massey had thrived in the role, while Garcia, a .231 hitter, struggled down the stretch of the regular season.
Garcia hit .161 in September and was 2-for-10 (.200) with a walk in the playoffs.
However, the Royals were facing a tough left-hander in Yankees starter Carlos Rodon. And Quatraro liked his odds with Garcia atop the lineup.
“Yeah, a lot of things went into consideration there,” Quatraro said pregame. “Maikel has been swinging the bat better. We feel like he raises his level of competition a little bit in these atmospheres, and we’re hopeful that he can get on and create some havoc on the bases.”
Quatraro was right.
Garcia stepped up in a big way against the Yankees and finished 4-for-5 with an RBI single.
Garcia struck out in his first at-bat. Then, he recorded four consecutive singles and added a stolen base in the seventh. His RBI single was a part of a four-run fourth inning where the Royals did all of their damage against Rodon.
Rodon was chased from the game after 3 ⅔ innings. He allowed all four runs, seven hits and struck out seven batters.
The Royals won 4-2 and evened the ALDS at one game apiece.
“(I) went out to compete,” Garcia said via a translator. “The first at-bat doesn’t define the rest of the game, and to be able to go out, compete and have good at-bats the rest of the game is good.”
Garcia played an important role atop the lineup. He was able to keep the line moving as the Royals found an early offensive rhythm. It was the second game in which KC produced great at-bats against the Yankees.
This time, the club was able to score enough runs while neutralizing the dynamic duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.
“Yeah, he rose to the challenge,” Quatraro said of Garcia. “The first at-bat was not what we would have hoped for, but after that he was locked in. He stole a base and played really good defensively. He had a great game tonight all around. It was something that we were hoping for him and for us. He came through.”
Garcia made 107 starts as the Royals leadoff hitter this season. He hit .234 with 101 hits, six home runs and 46 RBIs in the role. However, his numbers declined down the stretch and it caused him to drop in the lineup.
The Royals decided to use Massey, late-season addition Tommy Pham and even versatile infielder Adam Frazier in the role.
Still, Garcia was ready when his number was called. He prepared for Monday’s game by focusing on just getting on base. His goal was to simply be active and help his run-producing teammates finish the job.
“The goal in that spot is to always get on base and let the guys get their RBIs, hit with people on base,” Garcia said.
The Royals will look to build momentum heading into Game 3 at Kauffman Stadium. The series has turned into a best-of-3 matchup. The Royals have the advantage with the next two games at home.
And Garcia is excited to try to earn a series victory in front of the KC crowd.
“I can’t wait to get there, prove to fans that we’re playing for them,” Garcia said. “And I’ve heard and I’ve already been told that it’s a very electric environment.”
