What It Means:

He pushes Justin Smoak to the bench with lefty Cole Hamels throwing for the Rangers. Colabello was not in the lineup for Game 1.

Although Hamels is left handed, his numbers are better against right-handed batters. He averages 9.31 strikeouts per nine innings against righties as opposed to 8.41 against lefties. Colabello has a 26.3 strikeout rate against lefties with a 35.4 hard-hit rate. When he makes contact, he hits the ball hard, but making contact is no guarantee with Hamels on the mound.