Cruz Hitting Cleanup In Rays Finale

Nelson Cruz has become known as one of the streakiest hitters around these parts, but one spot where Cruz has never had success in his Texas Rangers career is when he bats No. 4 in the lineup as he's seen much more success in the fifth, or most notably the No. 6 spot in the lineup.

Over his career, Cruz has started 42 games in the cleanup spot and has hit .237 with eight home runs and 19 RBIs compared to a .284 average in the No. 6 spot. He's hitting cleanup from the designated hitter spot due to the fact that the Rangers are giving on-base maniac Lance Berkman the day off as the Rangers will head to Seattle after their day game for a four-game series beginning Thursday when he'll be back in the lineup.

On the bright side, Cruz has had a lot of success when he's started at DH, hitting at a .274 clip in 24 career starts, which is one point ahead of his .273 career average as a right fielder.

Whenever the game out in Arlington finally gets going with this weather, we'll find out how Cruz does in the No. 4 hole today after he's gotten off to a hot start to the season with a .387 average with four RBIs in eight games.

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