Rangers ALCS Game 5 Lineup

The Rangers have made a few adjustments to their lineup versus the Yankees CC Sabathia this afternoon. Most notable is the absence of Yankee killer Bengie Molina:

1. Elvis Andrus SS
2. Michael Young 3B
3. Josh Hamilton CF
4. Vladimir Guerrero DH
5. Nelson Cruz LF
6. Ian Kinsler 2B
7. Jeff Francoeur RF
8. Matt Treanor C
9. Mitch Moreland 1B

Pitcher C.J. Wilson

Yankees ALCS Game 5 Lineup

Without Teixeira on the roster, Berkman slides into his position and Eduardo Nunez assumes Berkman's spot on the bench. Here is the Bombers lineup versus the Rangers lefty C.J. Wilson:

1. Derek Jeter SS
2. Nick Swisher RF
3. Robinson Cano 2B
4. Alex Rodriguez 3B
5. Marcus Thames DH
6. Lance Berkman 1B
7. Jorge Posada C
8. Curtis Granderson CF
9. Brett Gardner LF

Pitching: CC Sabathia

Berkman to Start at First Base for Yanks

With Mark Teixeira's season over even if the Yankees somehow make it to the World Series, Lance Berkman will be playing first base for the Bombers tonight. 

At first it appeared that Teixeira was inexplicably sliding feet first into first base to try to beat Rangers pitcher Tommy Hunter to the bag, but it soon became clear that he was injured as replays showed him grabbing the back of his right leg while running up the line. After an MRI it was diagnosed as a Grade II strain of his right hamstring, an injury that takes 6-8 weeks to recover from in the best of circumstances.

"Disappointed, angry. You play all year and you battle all year to get a chance to help your team out in the world series and it's just not gonna happen for me this year" Teixeira told reporters in the clubhouse after the game.

With the Yankees on the verge of elimination and the World Series scheduled to begin on October 27, there is no chance for Teixeira to join his club should they make it that far. Replacing him on the roster is infielder Eduardo Nunez.