Could Tough Lineup Decision Be Coming For Alex Cora, Red Sox?

The Red Sox are no strangers to lineup changes, but an ultimate decision on who will be playing second base down the stretch could prove to be difficult.

David Hamilton or Vaughn Grissom?

Boston will have to answer that question in the coming weeks, as Grissom is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday. Hamilton, since Grissom strained his right hamstring on June 1, has filled in admirably at second base.

Do you mess with what is already working? Is there room for improvement? How important are left-right matchups?

Alex Cora will soon have a decision to make, and before he does we’re going to take a look at the cases for Hamilton and Grissom.

THE CASE FOR HAMILTON
It’s working, isn’t it?

Hamilton has been surprisingly effective since being recalled in April, overcoming a rough stretch to begin his season to eventually slash .270/.324/.410 with 11 doubles and 23 stolen bases entering the All-Star break.

The Red Sox have benefited greatly from having his speed in the lineup, matching him with Ceddanne Rafaela and Jarren Duran to help put pressure on defenses at the turn of the order. Boston is 24-14 since June 1, with Hamilton being the primary option at second. Why make a change?

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THE CASE FOR GRISSOM
The Red Sox need right-handed options, and that’s exactly what Grissom gives over Hamilton.

Grissom was not good during his 87 plate appearances before his latest injury, but Boston has been hyper-aware of the right-left matchups from the plate and it will provide them a good opportunity to work him back in.

VERDICT
Boston likely will platoon the two, at least early on.

Grissom will use most (if not all) of the 20-day maximum window that is allowed for a position player on a rehab assignment, which gets the Red Sox past the trade deadline and into August. He needs time to get right, though, and Boston won’t have that this late in the season.

Jamie Westbrook would be the big loser here, likely heading back to Worcester in any situation.