We are slowly inching closer to Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox, and we might have gotten our first glimpse of new manager Alex Cora’s lineup for the season opener.
The Red Sox will open the 2018 Major League Baseball season March 29 against Chris Archer and the Tampa Bay Rays.
Chris Sale likely will start that game for Boston, and with the left-hander making a start Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies, Cora appeared to run out the lineup that could face Archer to begin the season.
1. Mookie Betts, RF
2. Andrew Benintendi, LF
3. Hanley Ramirez, 1B
4. J.D. Martinez, DH
5. Xander Bogaerts, SS
6. Rafael Devers, 3B
7. Eduardo Nunez, 2B
8. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
9. Sandy Leon, C
Cora, of course, will have to figure out how to split playing time between Ramirez and Mitch Moreland at first base, as well as find a way to give Martinez some time in the outfield.
The Red Sox manager did note he has confidence in Ramirez batting in the three hole, which he has done for most of spring training.
“I’m getting more comfortable with (Ramirez hitting third),” Cora said, via The Boston Herald. “I’m getting more comfortable with the at-bats from Hanley, just staying in the middle of the field. If he keeps doing that, he’ll be fine. We’ll be comfortable with him.”
Cora also noted that he isn’t worried about getting everyone ample playing time.
“I’ve got a pretty good idea of how we’re going to (split time at first base),” Cora said. “Rest is a part of this. Not just those two guys, but everybody else. So we’ll find at-bats for everybody. Everybody sees it as a problem. I don’t. I’m the one that has to deal with it. I’ll be OK and they’ll be OK. We’ll talk about it, and I think everybody’s going to be fine.”
The Red Sox starters went 5-for-23 Monday against the Phillies in an eventual 6-5 win.
