Lineups breakdown: Orioles-Tigers, ALDS Game 3
Here are the starting lineups for today's American League Division Series Game 3 between the Orioles and Tigers at Comerica Park.
ORIOLES
One win shy of advancing to the AL Championship Series, Orioles manager Buck Showalter made some changes to his lineup against Tigers southpaw David Price. Delmon Young, a right-handed hitter, started in left field over Alejandro De Aza, who bats from the left side. Ryan Flaherty, another lefty, was moved down in the batting order. Young has not started in the series, but he had a go-ahead pinch-hit double in Game 2.
Price has limited lefty hitters to a .211 batting average over his career, so it makes sense that Showalter added a right-handed bat today. The former AL Cy Young Award winner faced Baltimore once this season on May 8 (when he was with the Rays), allowing three runs over five innings to take the loss.
Nelson Cruz is the starter with the best career numbers against Price, having gone 10-for-28 (.357) with one double, three home runs and five RBIS. J.J. Hardy has also had some success against the southpaw, going 12-for-36 (.333) with five doubles. Flaherty and Nick Hundley will be facing Price for the first time.
1. Nick Markakis, RF
2. Steve Pearce, 1B
3. Adam Jones, CF
4. Nelson Cruz, DH
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. J.J. Hardy, SS
7. Nick Hundley, C
8. Ryan Flaherty, 3B
9. Jonathan Schoop, 2B
TIGERS
Facing elimination, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus made some changes to his starting lineup against Orioles right-hander Bud Norris. Don Kelly gets the start over Rajai Davis in center field, while Alex Avila and Nick Castellanos flipped spots in the batting order.
Davis has been dealing with a pelvic ligament strain for the past week. He started Games 1 and 2, but he did not play nine innings in either game.
"Rather than having him start the game and maybe have to pull him out, I would rather be able to use him later in the game maybe, especially with their left-handed bullpen," Ausmus said before Game 3. "So he's available. He certainly could pinch-hit, but he's still feeling it a little bit."
Kelly has gone 2-for-7 with a strikeout lifetime against Norris. Victor Martinez, meanwhile, has gone 4-for-12 (.333) with one double and one home run in his career against Norris.
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Torii Hunter, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. J.D. Martinez, LF
6. Alex Avila, C
7. Nick Castellanos, 3B
8. Andrew Romine, SS
9. Don Kelly, CF