Jose Martinez Inserted Into Cardinals NLCS Game 3 Lineup

The St. Louis Cardinals are down 0-2 in the NLCS to the Washington Nationals, and now they have to face right-hander Stephen Strasburg in Game 3.

To give their offense a better chance to score, which they haven't done with any regularity in the series, manager Mike Shildt has decided to mix things up in the batting order. The most notable change is right-handed slugger Jose Martinez getting the start while the struggling Matt Carpenter hits the bench.

Cardinals Lineup:

1. Dexter Fowler - CF
2. Kolten Wong - 2B
3. Paul Goldschmidt - 1B
4. Marcell Ozuna - LF
5. Yadier Molina - C
6. Jose Martinez - RF
7. Tommy Edman - 3B
8. Paul DeJong - SS
9. Jack Flaherty - P

With Martinez getting the start in right field, rookie Tommy Edman will move to the infield and start at third base. Martinez will bat sixth, the spot Carpenter has occupied over the first two games.

The rest of the Cardinals lineup remains the same.

Martinez has only one career at-bat against Strasburg and he drew a walk. However, Martinez has been a huge bat off the bench, going 4-for-5 as a pinch-hitter in the postseason. He's also 2-for-2 in this series.

St. Louis needs all the help they can get on the offensive side of the ball. Maybe Martinez can give this lineup a spark in the first game at Busch Stadium with Jack Flaherty on the mound.