Porter repeats lineup, keeping Altuve leadoff

ARLINGTON -- Astros manager Bo Porter has not hesitated to shuffle his young lineup, using 73 different batting orders in the first 86 games, but he may have found one he likes. He repeated the same lineup he used Wednesday for Friday's series opener against the Rangers.

He has used only three lineups more than twice this season and only one more than three times.

"Your job as the manager is to manage the team that you have," Porter said. "You look at the Detroit Tigers. Miguel Cabrera's going to hit third, Prince Fielder's going to hit fourth, Torii Hunter's going to hit second, Austin Jackson's going to leadoff. That's their lineup because the players have established themselves as Major League players and you don't have to really move them around. Whereas we have young guys that are trying to establish themselves as Major League players, so as the manager, I'm going to do everything I can from the standpoint of putting them in the best position that I deem they're going to be successful that day."

Second baseman Jose Altuve led off for the third straight game Friday, making him the most regular leadoff hitter Houston has used this season (29 times, three ahead of Robbie Grossman).

Altuve entered Friday hitting .339 in 28 games in the top spot while hitting .240 in 43 games batting second. He said he doesn't see much difference between the two slots in the order, though.

"As a leadoff hitter, you have to take a few more pitches to get to know what the pitchers have that day," Altuve said. "I feel good in both scenarios. I just want to be part of the nine."