Alex Cora basically just told us the Red Sox’ lineup on Opening Day
It’s a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora basically just revealed his Opening Day lineup – and his overall plan for his positional players – prior to today’s spring game against the Atlanta Braves.
According to Cora, newcomer Trevor Story will likely bat sixth when the Sox open against right-hander Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees next Thursday, April 7. Story could bat second when the Sox face left-handed pitching, which means the Sox’ season-opening plan for their batting order will look something like this:
Red Sox Lineup vs RHP
Enrique Hernandez, CF
Rafael Devers, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
J.D. Martinez, DH
Alex Verdugo, LF
Trevor Story, 2B
Bobby Dalbec, 1B
Jackie Bradley, RF
Christian Vazquez, C
By having Devers second, Verdugo fifth and Bradley eighth, Cora can effectively space his left-handed batters to make it more difficult for opposing bullpens to match up, though he could he always bat for his left-handed hitters – specifically Bradley – in the later innings. Cora also suggested that hitting Story sixth would allow him to use Story’s speed and baserunning ability to generate offense at the bottom of the lineup.
Red Sox Lineup vs. LHP
Enrique Hernandez, CF
Trevor Story, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Rafael Devers, 3B
J.D. Martinez, DH
Bobby Dalbec, 1B
Alex Verdugo, LF
Christian Arroyo, RF
Vazquez/Kevin Plawecki, C
One thing to keep an eye on: who plays shortstop when Xander Bogaerts is given a day off. Cora said he wants to speak with Trevor Story, who may elect to stay full-time at second base as he learns a new position. It is also possible the Sox would want to keep Story at second base to avoid any potential controversy if he plays the position better than Bogaerts does.
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