Ron Washington just posted the Rangers line-up that will face Detroit Tigers RHP Rick Porcello in Game 4 this afternoon:
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Elvis Andrus, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Michael Young, 1B
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. Mike Napoli, C
7. Nelson Cruz, RF
8. David Murphy, LF
9. Yorvit Torrealba, DH
Torrealba gave Napoli the day off at catcher yesterday and provided an unexpected bonus at the plate, getting three of the only Rangers hits off Doug Fister. For Washington, moving Torrealba to the DH spot accomplishes two things: keeping struggling 1B Mitch Moreland out of the game while also putting Michael Young in the field at 1B.
Moreland has been in the midst of a two-month slump, hitting .167 with a .184 OBP in the month of September and slumping even further to a .118 batting average in the playoffs. Young's struggles in the playoffs, where he has yet to drive in a run, have prompted many in Dallas to question his spot as the clean-up hitter, but Washington has stood behind him, attempting to get his bat going by involving him on defense.
The other change is in left field, where David Murphy is replacing Endy Chavez after Chavez went 0-3 in Game 3.
For Rangers fans, perhaps the best bit of news is Adrian Beltre's place in the line-up, as he was noticeably limping during Game 3 after fouling several balls off his body.