ARLINGTON -- There is often an understandable air of panic when Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is left out of the lineup.
But when he sat for Sunday’s series finale against the Guardians, manager Skip Schumaker affirmed that the staff is just managing Seager and his workload as he's come off the injured list with a back injury.
Without Seager, the lineup got a shake-up, one that paid off as the Rangers scored early and often to secure a 10-0 win over the Guardians behind six scoreless innings from Jacob deGrom on the mound.
Justin Foscue, Josh Jung and Wyatt Langford all homered off Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo, marking the first time the Rangers have hit three home runs in a game off a left-handed starter this season. Michael Helman added another homer off lefty Will Dion in the sixth inning.
The Rangers’ four home runs on Sunday were the most in a home game this season, and tied for the most in a home game over the last three seasons (2024-26). Their 16 hits were also the most in a tilt at Globe Life Field this year, and tied for the most in any game in 2026.
“I think the ball's flying right now a little bit better than it was, and we're finding holes,” Jung said. “Guys are getting on base and creating traffic, and when that happens, you're going to score. … You do that often, runs start scoring and things start adding up. Good things happen.”
Here’s a breakdown of the three early homers that helped the Rangers to a series win over the Guardians (apologies to Helman, whose homer came when the game was well out of reach):
Jung: He’s been doing this all year
Jung has been the Rangers’ most consistent player all season long. With “big boys” Seager and Langford out for weeks apiece, Jung has held down the middle of the lineup. After Sunday’s 2-for-4 day, he’s now hitting .313/.368/.487 on the season.
“He's been super prepared wherever we put him in the lineup," Schumaker said. “It doesn't matter where we're putting him, he's been coming through. He's a complete hitter right now. He's just doing whatever is asked of him to do right now. He's not trying to do too much.
“The homers just come based on his really good swing and path, and his preparation. And he also is really good with two strikes. He's just been a really solid at-bat every single day he comes to the ballpark.”
Langford: He’s back
Langford was on the injured list from April 22-June 5 with a forearm strain. He’s immediately making an impact since his return.
He’s now reached base safely in a season-high 14 consecutive games, dating back to before his injury, which is the longest streak by a Ranger in 2026. Over that span, he’s batting .300 with two homers and three doubles.
“Having him and Corey back just lengthens the lineup,” Schumaker said. “Wyatt is so dangerous, not only at the plate but on the bases. He plays an elite left field. We've missed him, there's no doubt about it. The other guys have done a really nice job filling in, but Wyatt Langford's a special player. I’m just glad to have him back in the lineup.”
Foscue: He’s new and he can help
Foscue hammers lefties. Last year with Triple-A Round Rock, he had a .996 OPS against left-handed pitchers, and that’s where the bulk of his time has come in the big leagues so far this season. He opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, when he launched a two-run homer.
“We haven't been great against left-handers. It's been for a little while too,” Schumaker said. “Foscue providing some slug in the heart of the order was a great start to our day."
Foscue said he’s getting used to his new role on the team as more of a platoon bat who can crush left-handed pitching off the bench. But if he can perform like he did Sunday, it does wonders for the length of the Rangers’ lineup against left-handed starters.
“It's definitely an adjustment going up to the big leagues and trying to be a guy off the bench, trying to platoon with some players,” Foscue explained. “But days like today definitely help with giving me some confidence. They can just stick me in there against a lefty. I think I'm getting there, for sure.”