Eric Sogard

Eric Sogard starting for Rays Thursday in ALDS Game 5

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Eric Sogard is batting fifth Thursday night in Game 5 of the American League Division Series against right-hander Gerrit Cole and the Houston Astros.

What It Means:

Sogard is replacing Brandon Lowe on second base and taking his spot in the order for Thursday's do-or-die contest. It's his first start and just second appearance since September 14 due to a lingering foot issue. The more recent of those appearances came in Game 1 last Friday when the 33-year-old veteran delivered a pinch-hit RBI single.

numberFire's models project Sogard for 9.7 FanDuel points on Thursday. He costs $4,000. The Rays have an implied total of just 2.64 runs against Cole and the Astros.