Astros, Royals stick with same starting lineups
The starting lineups for today's game between the Astros and Royals at Kauffman Stadium have been revealed. There are no changes from Game 1, won by Houston, 5-2.
Game 2 of the best-of-five American League Division Series is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. CT (Fox Sports 1).
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Gomez out of lineup again
Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez was out of the starting lineup for the second game in a row for Friday's Game 2 of the ALDS against the Royals while he deals with his mild intercostal strain.
Gomez, who pinch-ran in in Game 1 on Thursday, is available to play, but manager A.J. Hinch said having Jake Marisnick start the game at 100 percent wasn't as risky as Gomez starting the game at less than 100 percent. Plus, Marisnick is the team's best defensive center fielder and made a great catch in the fifth inning Thursday.
"I don't think I'm taking a step down from production so much," Hinch said. "I know that Gomey is a more accomplished player. He's a player maybe more people know his personality. But I'm very, very comfortable with Jake Marisnick."
Gomez said he agreed with Hinch's decision, especially considering how well Marisnick played in Game 1.
"It's not about me, it's about winning," Gomez said. "He had a really good game yesterday offensively and defensively and he should be in there. I'm just getting ready for anything. I came to play, but I'm not in the lineup. That doesn't mean I'm not going to play great. We like our group. We have to push each other, and I think it's the best lineup today."
Gomez said he'll start preparing himself to play in the third inning by getting warm and will be prepared for anything, including pinch-running.
"In those games, you have to be ready, because one stolen base and one run scored feels like it's 10 runs," he said. "In my case, I have to be ready, and everybody else on the roster has to be ready."
Gomez strained his left intercostal Sept. 13 and has made only two starts since, including Tuesday's AL Wild Card Game, during which he hit a home run in the win over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
"He's willing to do anything to help us win," Hinch said.
ASTROS LINEUP
Jose Altuve, 2B
George Springer, RF
Carlos Correa, SS
Colby Rasmus, LF
Evan Gattis, DH
Luis Valbuena, 3B
Chris Carter, 1B
Jason Castro, C
Jake Marisnick, CF
Scott Kazmir, P
ROYALS LINEUP
Alcides Escobar, SS
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Salvador Perez, C
Alex Gordon, LF
Alex Rios, RF
Johnny Cueto, P