Rays’ lineup for Game 2 vs. Rangers has different look in centerfield
ST. PETERSBURG — After a rough performance in Tuesday’s American League Wild Card Series opener, Jose Siri is not in the lineup for Wednesday’s potential elimination game. Manuel Margot will start in centerfield.
Siri, sidelined since having his right hand fractured by a pitch on Sept. 11, returned to action Tuesday. He went 0-for-3 at the plate, including popping up a bunt attempt with runners on the corners; and missed on two plays in centerfield, one including a throwing error. Both led to Texas runs in Tampa Bay’s 4-0 loss.
Manager Kevin Cash said the decision to start Margot against right-hander Nate Eovaldi was planned to avoid Siri playing full games on consecutive days.
“We didn’t want to push it with Jose to play 18 straight innings there,” Cash said. “He could be a factor off the bench, no doubt. And then, hopefully, we’re talking about a lineup discussion (for Game 3 Thursday), whether he’s in or out.”
Margot has been hitting well since his Sept. 15 return from the injured list after elbow surgery. He has a .333 average, one homer, eight RBIs and an .839 OPS in 14 games, though his defense has been inconsistent.
The other interesting decision the Rays made was to stick with right-handed-hitting rookie Curtis Mead rather than lefty Jonathan Aranda. That seemed to be based on Mead being the better defender and probably also was why they didn’t start 20-year-old rookie Junior Caminero.
Aaron Civale was in the pregame interview room as the potential Game 3 starter, but the Rays could revisit that decision after Wednesday’s game.
Here is the Rays lineup:
And for the Rangers:
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