Texas Rangers Lineup Mystery: Maybe or Maybe Not

Manager Ron Washington said today’s lineup could end up being the one that takes the field against Cleveland’s Cliff Lee on Monday, but said he’s still undecided on whether to stick with his left-handed hitters or to include right-handed Marlon Byrd and Andruw Jones over David Murphy and Hank Blalock.

“That lineup could end up being what we use, but I didn’t put it up there with any intent that it would be our Opening Day lineup,” Washington said. “I will ask all our coaches for their input and then I will sit down and compare everything before we make a lineup.”

Washington did allow, however, that when Jones plays, he’ll hit cleanup. Washington likes the experience Jones has in the spot. Jones has 1,538 at-bats as the cleanup hitter, more than double the total of the other cleanup candidates (Blalock and Nelson Cruz).  Jones has averaged a home run every 13.5 at-bats in the cleanup spot. It is the best ration among active right-handed, cleanup hitters.

“I like hitting there,” Jones said. “Even when he had all the big guys there like [Gary Sheffield] and Galarraga, I got to hit fourth when one of them was out of the game. I’d always come in the clubhouse and say ‘Look out, I’m going deep today. And mot of the time I’d end up hitting a home run. It’s a psyche thing there. I like it. I know I’ve got to drive in the runs. And I know [hitting instructor] Rudy [Jaramillo] will keep me focused.”