Royals tweak batting order amid struggles on offense

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

The Kansas City Royals will trot out a different batting order against the Texas Rangers on Friday night.

The Royals will face Rangers left-handed starter MacKenzie Gore in the series opener at Globe Life Field. Gore owns a 4.42 ERA in 11 starts this season. And, left-handed hitters have fared slightly better against him

Left-handed batters own a .790 OPS (on-base plus slugging) against Gore. Meanwhile, right-handed batters are hitting .191 in 176 plate appearances.

The Royals will counteract Gore with veteran outfielder Lane Thomas leading off. He has experience with a career .818 OPS in the top spot.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro dropped third baseman Maikel Garcia to the third spot. Garcia will bat behind star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Garcia normally hits leadoff.

“In some cases with Maikel, he gets hampered a little bit hitting in front of Bobby — that we want Bobby to really get the chance to hit,” Quatraro said. “But in this case, I still want them together because I think that’s a really formidable duo back to back.”

The lineup will then feature Royals captain Salvador Perez batting fourth, Starling Marte batting fifth and Vinnie Pasquantino in the sixth spot.

The goal is to generate more opportunities on the basepaths with runners in motion.

“We’re trying to get as much traffic and create as much havoc at the top of the order as we can,” Quatraro said. “And I like the idea of Maikel hitting in front of Salvy. Maybe get him in motion a little bit more. Salvy, obviously, gets a lot of off-speed. He gets pitched very tough, but also, he’s a free swinger.

“So, Maikey’s running and Salvy’s swinging, maybe we get some holes opened up and we can get some stuff going.”

In theory, the Royals will also give outfielder Jac Caglianone a chance to face a tough lefty. He will bat eighth and follow second baseman Nick Loftin in the lineup.

Caglianone owns a .190 batting average in 42 at-bats against left-handed pitchers.

“He hits the ball hard,” Quatraro said. “You know, if we can get him to be disciplined up, I think there is a lot of stuff he can handle.”

It’s possible the Royals could experiment more with their lineup. As the club searches for more offense, the ability to group their best hitters together could lead to desired results.

Gore will be a staunch test. In his lone start against the Royals, Gore allowed one run, three hits and struck out 11 batters across seven innings.

“He’s good,” Quatraro said of Gore. “He’s got plus stuff, and he doesn’t give up a ton of hits. You got to lay off the ball up. He’s got plus velo up in the (strike) zone. You know, a good pitch mix: slider, changeup, he can cut it. He’s got a lot of things that are impressive. So you got to be disciplined, especially, up above the zone.”