Opening Day has arrived, and the Texas Rangers are set to kick off their 2026 season against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. CST.
Nathan Eovaldi will be taking the mound for the Rangers, while the Phillies will counter with left-hander Cristopher Sánchez. The lineup for the Rangers is mostly as expected, featuring former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen. However, there's a notable absence that has caught the attention of fans.
Evan Carter, known for his struggles against left-handed pitchers, is not in the starting lineup. Over his MLB career, Carter has posted a tough .083/.191/.083 slash line against southpaws, with a 30.9% strikeout rate in 68 plate appearances. Given Sánchez's impressive 8.0 bWAR and 2.50 ERA last season, along with 212 strikeouts across 202 innings, it's understandable why manager Schumaker opted for switch-hitter Sam Haggerty, who hit .318/.376/.435 against lefties last season.
Despite Carter's struggles, Schumaker has expressed a desire to give him more opportunities against left-handers. Carter's limited exposure at the plate against lefties means there's room for growth, and if he can improve to even an average level, his value to the team would skyrocket.
Fans can expect to see Carter come off the bench in today's game, and he's anticipated to start in Game 2 of the series against righty Aaron Nola on Saturday. Sunday's lineup, with southpaw Jesús Luzardo pitching for the Phillies, will provide further insight into how the Rangers plan to utilize Carter against lefties this season.
As the season unfolds, Carter's development against left-handed pitching will be a storyline to watch, as it could significantly impact the Rangers' offensive dynamics.