There's been a lot of belly-achin' from Rangers fans about the fact Joey Gallo is playing in the middle of a playoff chase, and the concern is very well founded.
In fact, yours truly just wrote last week about how insane it is for Gallo to be getting starts, much less at-bats, in the middle of a pennant race. Gallo, against a right-handed starter, was once again in the lineup on Tuesday night, and he actually contributed to a big Rangers win with a solid night at the plate.
Gallo went 2-for-4 and scored two runs, but his big highlight of the night was a towering moon shot into the right-field stands — the Rangers' fourth and final home run of the evening, tying a season-high for home runs in a game for the team.
We all know what Gallo can do when he gets a hold of a baseball. Lots of times, said ball goes a long way and doesn't land in the field of play. It's just making contact that's been an issue for the 21-year-old slugging prodigy.
Gallo showed what he can do positively for the Rangers on Tuesday and showed what a threat he can be in the lineup, especially when he's the No. 8 hitter as he was against the Mariners. At that spot in the order, Gallo extends the Rangers' lineup and really gives opposing pitchers someone to think about from 1-8 in the lineup.
Is Gallo going to go on a tear? That's highly unlikely given his propensity for the strikeout and the gaping hole in his swing, but he could be a force down the stretch if used properly.
