Why Are Houston Astros Moving Kyle Tucker Down in Order Against Rangers?

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Houston Astros have set their lineup for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series with the Texas Rangers, which is set for Monday at Minute Maid Park.

Game time is set for 7:03 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on FS1.

The big news for the Astros is that manager Dusty Baker moved struggling right fielder Kyle Tucker down in the order. Baker said on Tuesday that might do that given the left-hander’s struggles. He will bat sixth on Wednesday after batting third in Game 2.

Tucker is 2-for-22 in the postseason with seven strikeouts, including an 0-for-8 showing in the first two games of the ALCS against the Rangers.

The Rangers have won the first two games of the series, both of which were played at Minute Maid Park in Houston. This will represent just the Rangers’ second home playoff game this postseason. But, the Astros have been great at Globe Life Field this season, as they are 6-1 in the Rangers’ home park.

The Astros won the season series, 9-4, giving them home field advantage in the best-of-seven series.

Game 4 is set for Thursday night.

The Astros’ lineup and batting order for Game 3 will include:

1. Jose Altuve, 2B

2. Michael Brantley, LF

3. Alex Bregman, 3B

4. Yordan Alvarez, DH

5. José Abreu, 1B

6. Kyle Tucker, RF

7. Mauricio Dubón, CF

8. Jeremy Peña, SS

9. Martín Maldonado, C

Pitcher — Cristian Javier

The most notable change from the last game of the ALDS is that Dubón is in the lineup in center field and batting seventh, and Astros manager Dusty Baker flipped Abreu into the clean-up spot and moved Tucker to fifth, which breaks up his left-handed hitters against Rangers left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery.

The Rangers set their lineup and batting order for Game 3 as well:

1. Marcus Semien, 2B

2. Corey Seager, SS

3. Evan Carter, LF

4. Adolis García, RF

5. Jonah Heim, C

6. Mitch Garver, DH

7. Nathaniel Lowe, 1B

8. Josh Jung, 3B

9. Leody Taveras, CF

Pitcher — Max Scherzer

The big change for the Rangers is moving Carter to the No. 3 spot. The Rangers slid Garver down to No. 6 and slid Heim up to No. 5.

2023 ALCS schedule

Best-of-seven

Game 1: Texas 2, Houston 0

Game 2: Texas 5, Houston 4 (Rangers lead series, 2-0)

Game 3: Wednesday: Houston at Texas, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 4: Thursday: Houston at Texas, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 5*: Friday: Houston at Texas, 4:07 p.m. (FS1)

Game 6*: Sunday: Texas at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 7*: Monday: Texas at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (Fox/FS1)

*If necessary