Texas Rangers: Projected lineups and positioning for Rougned Odor’s return

Lineup vs. Left-Handed Pitchers

1. CF Delino DeShields
2. LF Jurickson Profar
3. RF Nomar Mazara
4. 3B Adrian Beltre
5. 1B Joey Gallo
6. SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa
7. 2B Rougned Odor
8. C Robinson Chirinos
9. DH Renato Nunez

Notes

-A sizzling right-handed hitting Profar overtakes Choo in the two-hole. Choo has struggled mightily against southpaws this year.

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-Kiner-Falefa handles shortstop responsibilities and Profar plays left field.

-Renato Nunez continues to receive opportunities to prove himself against left-handed pitching. His ability to hit lefties is supposed to be his strength. A trial run at DH will be good to start. Though, what definitely needs to be avoided is Nunez getting action defensively. That shouldn’t be a problem as Beltre gets back to full health.

Possible Adjustments

-Banister may elect to keep the veteran Choo in the lineup. If so, Profar should still bat second; Choo can bat towards the bottom.

-Choo would DH if in the lineup, forcing Nunez out.

-Profar and Kiner-Falefa could swap positions. Kiner-Falefa has not yet played a game in left field; however, he is certainly athletic enough to make the transition. It just depends on who Banister trusts more at shortstop.

-Ryan Rua could replace Nunez at DH.