The Rays and Rangers are just a few short hours away from kicking off Game 3 of the ALDS, with the series currently tied at a game apiece. Lineups for both teams have just been announced.
The Rays are hoping to gain a slight edge by stacking their lineup with left-handed hitters, as right-handed Colby Lewis features a large platoon split. Lewis’ most effective pitch is his slider, but sliders are generally most effective against same-handed batters, giving left-handed hitters an advantage.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are running out a very typical lineup for them. However, even though their lineup is heavy with right-handed hitters and Rays starter David Price is a left-handed pitcher, the platoon split may not help them too much. Tropicana Field is one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in the majors, and it especially suppresses right-handed power (decreases RH home run power by 8%). So we’ll have to see which triumphs in the end: the Rangers’ powerful lineup or Tropicana Field.
Rays lineup, from Marc Topkin:
Jennings LF
Upton CF
Longoria 3B
Joyce RF
Damon DH
Zobrist 2B
Kotchman 1B
Jaso C
Brignac SS
Rangers lineup, from the Tampa Tribune:
Kinsler 2B
Andrus SS
Hamilton LF
Young DH
Beltre 3B
Napoli C
Cruz RF
Moreland 1B
Gentry CF
For a look at the pitching matchup between David Price and Colby Lewis, see our game preview.