Mike Napoli is in the lineup for Game 1 of the ALDS, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Napoli is in the lineup for Game 1 of the ALDS, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis:
With Prince Fielder slotted in at DH, Napoli will take over at first base and hit fifth in the order against lefty David Price. The 33-year-old has actually performed well against lefties this season -- in 152 at-bats this season, Napoli has 12 homers and 26 RBI, and he's also sporting a career .278 batting average against southpaws. However, that success hasn't translated against Price -- in his 10-year career, he's gone 8-for-34 with 19 strikeouts against the veteran ace for the Blue Jays.