Lineups: Manager Bell's Final Game

By now you know that it’s not just the final game of the season this afternoon, it’s the final game for Buddy Bell as the Royals Manager. The self-proclaimed “old-baseball” manager leaves his post with the club after more than two seasons. The Star’s Sam Mellinger did a long profile on Buddy in today’s paper – check it out if you haven’t already. Although Buddy will remain with the organization, it goes without saying that all of us with the Royals will miss him…

We’ll post a wrap up of the final weekend after today’s game.

Looking for win No.70, the Royals turn to what they hope is a piece of the future when 2006 first-round draft pick Luke Hochevar (0-0, 0.93 ERA) takes the mound for his first start in the Majors. The division-leading Indians call on lefty Aaron Laffey (3-2, 4.87 ERA).

For the final time this season, here are your lineups…

For the Royals:
Gathright – CF
German – 2B
Butler – DH
Sweeney – 1B
Brown – RF
Gordon – 3B
Huber – LF
Phillips – C
Pena – SS
Hochevar – RHP

For the Indians:
Sizemore – CF
Cabrera – SS
Hafner – DH
Garko – 1B
Gutierrez – RF
Blake – 3B
Gomez – 2B
Michaels – LF
Shoppach – C
Laffey – LHP