We took a brief look at the pitching matchup in this game earlier -- Justin Verlander on short rest versus, oh, maybe seven Rays relievers if necessary -- so now let’s see who they’re facing.
No surprise with the Astros apart from a flip-flop of Michael Brantley and José Altuve:
1. George Springer (R) CF
2. Michael Brantley (L) LF
3. José Altuve (R) 2B
4. Alex Bregman (R) 3B
5. Yordan Álvarez (L) DH
6. Yuli Gurriel (R) 1B
7. Carlos Correa (R) SS
8. Josh Reddick (L) RF
9. Robinson Chirinos (R) C
For the Rays, Yandy Díaz, who left yesterday’s game with a sore foot, is not surprisingly absent:
1. Austin Meadows (L) LF
2. Tommy Pham (R) DH
3. Ji-Man Choi (L) 1B
4. Avisaíl García (R) RF
5. Brandon Lowe (L) 2B
6. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
7. Joey Wendle (L) 3B
8. Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF
9. Willy Adames (R) SS