We've got Ron Washington's lineup, which will be deployed in Game 2 against Tampa Rays ace James Shields:
Rangers vs. Rays: Rangers’ Lineup Features Two Changes
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Elvis Andrus, SS
3. Josh Hamilton*, CF
4. Michael Young, DH
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. Mike Napoli, C
7. Nelson Cruz, RF
8. David Murphy*, LF
9. Mitch Moreland*, 1B
Well, that’s not something you see every day: middle infielders at the top of the order, left fielder and first baseman at the bottom.
Anyway, this lineup is much the same as Washington's Game 1 lineup, except with right-hander James Shields starting for the Rays, the manager has swapped in lefty-hitting Murphy and Moreland for righty-hitting Craig Gentry and Yorvit Torrealba.
All of which makes sense, even if Moreland's been struggling lately.The one guy who might have a beef is lefty-hitting outfielder Endy Chavez, but Chavez has a .293 on-base percentage with four walks since the All-Star break, and is probably best utilized as a pinch-runner or late-innings defensive replacement in left field.
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