Lucroy, Napoli sitting in second half opener

The Texas Rangers kick off the second half tonight in Kansas City, the first game of a ten game road trip that could well determine the direction the Rangers go at the trade deadline.

With righthander Jason Hammel on the mound for K.C., Jeff Banister is opting to start lefty-swinging Drew Robinson in left field, a move that has Mike Napoli on the bench, as well as Robinson Chirinos behind the plate. Chirinos has been the preferred pairing for Martin Perez, who starts for Texas tonight, but this reinforces the notion that Jonathan Lucroy isn't necessarily the Rangers' starting catcher at this point. Napoli, meanwhile, may be getting relegated to the short side of a platoon role in the second half.

The lineup:

Choo — DH

Elvis — SS

Mazara — RF

Beltre — 3B

Odor — 2B

Chirinos — C

Robinson — LF

Gomez — CF

Gallo — 1B