Ron Washington has elected to go with what’s worked, and his Game 5 lineup looks similar to pretty much every lineup he’s used all month.
World Series Game 5: Pat Burrell Returns To Giants Starting Lineup
Bruce Bochy, though, has opted to shake things up a little bit, even after a 4-0 win in Game 4 that put the Giants a game away from a world championship. Bochy is playing the matchups and hoping he gets a favorable roll of the dice.
The biggest news is that Pat Burrell is back in the lineup after taking Game 4 off. Burrell will serve as the Giants' designated hitter. He was benched because he's gone 0-9 in the World Series with eight strikeouts, and because he's struggled for most of the month, but he was a productive bat for the Giants for much of the season, and he has Bochy's trust. Additionally, he's a right-handed power hitter to slide in against the left-handed Cliff Lee.
Because Burrell is DH, Aubrey Huff returns to first base and Travis Ishikawa finds himself on the bench. The other interesting move is that Aaron Rowand will start and play center field, displacing Andres Torres. Torres will start as well, but he'll get the go in right. Even though Torres is a capable center fielder, Rowand isn't very comfortable in the corners.
Why Rowand? Because, like Burrell, he’s a right-handed bat, and he’s also a good defensive outfielder. Despite Rowand’s struggles at the plate, this is just Bochy playing the matchups.
As a final touch, Cody Ross will bat cleanup, and Juan Uribe will bat fifth. This is a team that could win the World Series Monday night.
Andres Torres, RF
Freddy Sanchez, 3B
Buster Posey, C
Cody Ross, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Aubrey Huff, 1B
Pat Burrell, DH
Edgar Renteria, SS
Aaron Rowand, CF
Tim Lincecum, SP
In all, Cliff Lee will face only one left-handed in the game.
See More:
