Per Jeff Wilson, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
Texas Rangers vs. RHP Kyle Lohse
- Ian Kinsler - 2B
- Elvis Andrus - SS
- Josh Hamilton - CF
- Michael Young - DH
- Adrian Beltre - 3B
- Nelson Cruz - RF
- Mike Napoli - 1B
- David Murphy - LF
- Yorvit Torrealba - C
St. Louis Cardinals vs. LHP Matt Harrison
- Rafael Furcal - SS
- Allen Craig - RF
- Albert Pujols - 1B
- Matt Holliday - LF
- Lance Berkman - DH
- David Freese - 3B
- Yadier Molina - C
- Jon Jay - CF
- Ryan Theriot - 2B
Back to the land of Designated Hitters!
Ron Washington is making some interesting, though not particularly controversial, decisions for his game three lineup. Despite his injury, Josh Hamilton will not sit, will not move down the lineup, and will not play a less-demanding position in the field. He will hit third, and he will cover center.
Yorvit Torrealba will get the start at catcher, giving the Rangers an extra righty against a righty. Mike Napoli will stay in the field, though at first base, and Michael Young -- who made a costly mistake in the field in game two -- will DH. you could make a case for starting lefty Endy Chavez, and giving Hamilton DH duties, especially with Lohse on the mound, but the Rangers hopefully have enough information to make this the correct call.
On the bright side, the Rangers will not be burned by an Allen Craig pinch hit. On the down side, they will see him multiple times in the game. He will allow Lance Berkman to DH, helping the Cardinals' outfield defense a bit.
Texas pitchers will get relief from Ranger-killer Nick Punto, as Ryan Theriot gets a surprising start at second. The move is a defensive upgrade on paper, but with the Cardinals' most fly ball-prone pitcher on the mound, the upgrade may be minimal.