Seager has yet to really get going so far this season. Maybe this game will give him the jolt he needs. He caught a break with his first inning blast, as it barely landed in the grate just beyond the ivy in left-center field. Lucky for him, that batted ball would have only been a home run in Wrigley Field. Nevertheless, these two homers raised his .534 OPS to a .712 OPS in just one game, reminding us about how small the sample size still is and how little we should be worrying about slow starts from stars like Seager.

Normally the possessor of some of the game’s best exit velocity numbers, Seager is lagging some right now, with a 35% hard-hit rate that’s well behind his usual 50% or so. One imagines he’ll fare better as his calf injury completely resolves. He’s already gotten two days of rest because of it.

It’s just an off day for the veteran with the Rangers playing a day game after a night game. Josh Smith will slide over to shortstop with Ezequiel Duran getting the start at third base.

Seager is battling a calf injury but was able to go through on-field workouts before the game, and the Rangers clearly decided that he could suit up. With Seager at designated hitter against a left-handed pitcher, that will push Josh Smith into the lineup at shortstop and batting ninth.