With spring training finally underway, what could early projections for the Red Sox Opening Day lineup look like?
With Red Sox Manager Alex Cora already stating that Mookie Betts will be hitting in the 2 spot this season, what can we expect from the rest of the lineup? What will it look like? It’s time for a way too early lineup projection!
A look at last year’s lineup
- Mookie Betts
- Andrew Benintendi
- Mitch Moreland/Steve Pearce
- J.D. Martinez
- Xander Bogaerts
- Brock Holt
- Rafael Devers
- Leon/Vasquez
- Jackie Bradley Jr.
Lineup as of October 28, 2018
This was one of the most dangerous lineup combinations the Red Sox had all of last season. Alex Cora has plenty of players he can use to attack pitching staffs and defenses from multiple teams around the league. This was one of the main reasons why they won 108 games last season.
Lineup projection
- Andrew Benintendi
- Mookie Betts
- Xander Bogaerts
- J.D Martinez
- Rafael Devers
- Steve Pearce/Mitch Moreland
- Brock Holt
- Leon/ Vasquez
- Jackie Bradley Jr.
This lineup could change with a few key factors. If and when Pedroia feels he can come back to play, the lineup will definitely change to inherit his skills against the competition. Alex Cora also liked to switch the lineup depending on if the opposing starter was a righty or a southpaw. He also factored in when players were on cold or hot streaks.
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With Betts hitting in the 2 spot, it only makes sense to have one of the better zone hitters to come up to the plate after. Xander Bogaerts is one of the premier contact hitters in the league. His ability to spray the ball anywhere in the field is something not a lot of hitters can do in this generation of power hitting and pitching. Which is one of the long list of commodities that will make him a hot name on the free agency market after this season.
J.D played one of the better seasons of his career last season. He became an offensive explosion, making him one of the most feared hitters in the American League. Look no further for the ultimate cleanup hitter.
Rafael Devers flashes the ability to mash baseballs out of the park, if he can stay consistent he deserves to be in the five spot. On the opposite side of the diamond, the tandem at first base can provide the power to start every third inning or to keep innings alive. While Pearce and Moreland are still inconsistent, they both can provide a spark to the bottom of the lineup.
If Pedroia is healthy, he won’t be hitting 7. For now, Brock Holt can totally provide assurance to help the offensively atrocious Sandy Leon and the heavily inconsistent Jackie Bradley Jr. Brock can start some magic whenever he’s called upon. He is truly the one hitter who can do damage at any given time. Until Jackie can show the good at-bats more, he will remain the final hitter in the lineup.
How will the lineup shake up the closer we get to opening day? What surprises can we look forward to? Stay locked into BoSoxinjection.com for all the latest Red Sox news, rumors, and unlimited coverage!