Craig Gentry takes centre-field as Josh Hamilton moves to left for Game 3 – MLB News
The Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington took the opportunity on Sunday, October 2 to discuss a few tactical changes made for Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The club will be going up against the Tampa
Bay Rays and the gaffer had a few words to say about his out-field formation.
Washington has decided to switch Craig Gentry to centre-field, while moving Josh Hamilton to the left. Gentry had previously started on left-field position during Game 1 of the division series against Rays’ pitcher Matt Moore. He was however uncomfortable
and that has gotten Washington shifting gears on tactical change.
Washington said, "Centre field is Gentry's best spot, and we all know Hamilton is a great left fielder. When Gentry is out there, he's better in centre than in left. Hamilton is as great in left as he is in centre."
Gentry has started 33 games in centre-field and he will be tasked to start there when going up against left hand pitchers like Moore and David Price. Washington will be maintaining his formation against right hand pitchers as he will put Hamilton on centre-field
and David Murphy on left-field.
Washington had earlier declared Hamilton to start on centre-field for the entire playoffs campaign but the situation has changed that approached. The skipper assured the reporters that there were no problems with Hamilton, concerning this issue.
The 2010 American League Most Valuable Player assured the press that he was satisfied with the decision.
"It doesn't matter. ... I'm waiting for him to stick me in right field. It basically comes down to where other guys are more comfortable playing."
The Rangers are looking to adjust their fielding positions to maintain the best players for the critical positions. Moving Gentry to centre-field and Hamilton to left-field will enhance the Rangers formation to tackle anything the Rays throw at them in Game
3.
Washington is hoping the Rangers crop up a 2-1 lead in the series on Monday when the Rangers take on the Rays, away from home.
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