The Detroit Tigers return home facing a 2-0 deficit in the ALCS. The Texas Rangers took the first two games of the series, and both were excruciating losses for the Tigers. Game 1 forced them to sit through two rain delays before they ultimately lost, and all that needs to be said about Game 2 is that the Rangers won on a walk-off grand slam in extra innings.
With the Tigers playing host to the Rangers for at least two games, the hope is the series will be even after four games, and then Justin Verlander can take the hill for Game 5 and give Detroit an advantage before the series shifts back to Texas. Of course, that's the best-case scenario. If the Tigers lose Game 3 on Tuesday night, the series is unlikely to even make it back to Texas. If the Tigers want any hope of winning, they need a win in Game 3.
If the Tigers do win on Tuesday night, they will do so despite not having Delmon Young. He was included in the original lineup for Game 3, but he was later scratched. The new lineup is as follows:
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Ramon Santiago, 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Don Kelly, 3B
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Alex Avila, C
8. Ryan Raburn, LF
9. Andy Dirks, RF
Pitching: Doug Fister
Young was slated to bat third for the Tigers. With him out, Dirks has been inserted to bat ninth and the players originally slated to bat fourth through ninth have been bumped up a spot.
Here's a look at the Rangers lineup:
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Elvis Andrus, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Michael Young, 1B
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. Mike Napoli, DH
7. Nelson Cruz, RF
8. Yorvit Torrealba, C
9. Endy Chavez, LF
Pitching: Colby Lewis