{"id":683393,"date":"2026-04-26T15:36:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T15:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/683393\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T15:36:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T15:36:17","slug":"rangers-lineup-vs-athletics-big-change-in-clean-up-spot-for-finale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/683393\/","title":{"rendered":"Rangers Lineup vs Athletics: Big Change in Clean-Up Spot for Finale"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now that the Texas Rangers <\/a>are set to face another right-hander on Sunday, they reverted back to their usual lineup \u2014 with one significant exception. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Texas<\/a> (14-13) will seek a series win over the Athletics (14-13) with Josh Jung in the clean-up spot, batting behind three left-handed hitters. It won\u2019t be an easy matchup with Athletics starter T.J. Ginn. <\/p>\n

Ginn won\u2019t be an easy pitcher to hit, regardless of which side of the plate one is hitting from. So far this season left-handers are slashing .175\/.267\/.475 and right-handers are slashing .216\/.268\/.324. While the batting average is better, left-handed batters are slugging considerably higher against Ginn<\/a>. Hence, the left-handed slant to the lineup. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the lineup and why some batters are in the lineup, aside from a southpaw being on the hill. <\/p>\n

Rangers Lineup vs. Athletics on April 26<\/p>\n

Red hot Jung talks with @LauraStickells<\/a> after his 4th homer the year: pic.twitter.com\/CdpWxswUit<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rangers Sports Network (@RangersSNtv) April 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

RF Brandon Nimmo (L)<\/p>\n

DH Joc Pederson (L)<\/p>\n

SS Corey Seager (L)<\/p>\n

3B Josh Jung<\/p>\n

CF Evan Carter (L)<\/p>\n

1B Jake Burger<\/p>\n

2B Josh Smith (L)<\/p>\n

C Danny Jansen<\/p>\n

LF Alejandro Osuna (L)<\/p>\n

RHP Kumar Rocker<\/p>\n

Jung\u2019s bat is red-hot right now and he hit the go-ahead home run on Saturday night. The move to the No. 4 spot is well-earned. With Carter at No. 5, the Rangers will use four left-handed hitters in the first five spots. <\/p>\n

A day game after a night game requires some planning. On Saturday, the Rangers with a lot of right-handed hitters as they faced a lefty. So, Texas benched Pederson, Smith and Osuna for the matchup. Texas also benched Jansen to start Kyle Higashioka. That prevented the Rangers from having to start the same catcher on back-to-back days. <\/p>\n

There is also some planning ahead for the Yankees series that starts on Monday. Texas knows that it is highly likely it will face New York left-hander Max Fried, who last pitched on Wednesday. Knowing that the Rangers must plan to face another left-hander, which would be the seventh time this season. Some of the decisions made on Saturday set up the decisions that could be made on Monday. <\/p>\n

The Yankees will likely run right-handers on Tuesday and Wednesday. With an off-day following on Thursday, the Rangers can afford to run their hottest players the entire homestand without a break regardless of the matchup. <\/p>\n

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