Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez not in Game 6 lineup

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez is not in the starting lineup for manager Don Mattingly for tonight’s critical Game Six against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio.

After sustaining a rib injury early in the series, Ramirez just hasn’t been the same player the Dodgers came to rely on for much of the regular season, and even the National League Division Series.

So far in the NLCS, Ramirez is just 2-for-12 (.167) with a lone RBI. This is a stark contrast from the powerful performance he put on in the NLDS, when he hit .500 (8-for-16) with four doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBIs.

During the regular season, Ramirez hit .345 in 86 games, with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs. He also added ten steals for the National League West champion Dodgers.

Earlier in the day, Mattingly had said he expected Ramirez in the lineup for Game Six, despite the hairline fracture in his rib.

"“I expect the same thing from Hanley. I think he’ll try to play. He’s been trying to play every day. I think he’ll do the same as far as going out there and doing the best he can for us, and we’ll just make an assessment tomorrow as we do the lineup.”"