If the Red Sox enter the ninth inning with a slim lead Thursday, Alex Cora knows who he will give the ball to.
The closer competition was one of the more intriguing position battles in Fort Myers, Fla., once Boston embarked on spring training. Liam Hendriks was the presumed favorite after using his first season with the Red Sox to recover from Tommy John surgery, but the three-time All-Star endured a pretty rocky spring. On the flip side, Aroldis Chapman showed shades of the lights-out reliever he once was.
In turn, Cora announced Tuesday the veteran southpaw will be Boston’s primary closer upon the start of the regular season. However, the Red Sox manager acknowledged Chapman’s usage could depend on matchups, starting with Boston’s first series in Texas.
“I think Chappy has been amazing,” Cora told reporters, per MLB.com. “But if Corey Seager leads off the eighth, he could be used in the eighth. And there’s certain times he’s gonna pitch the eighth, but most (often), he’ll pitch the ninth inning.”
With Chapman penciled in as the Red Sox’s top closing option, Hendriks, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten figure to be Cora’s foremost set-up relievers. Justin Wilson, Zack Kelly and Greg Weissert also will be in Boston’s bullpen to kick off the campaign.
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Time will tell if Chapman makes his Red Sox debut Thursday. NESN’s complete coverage of Boston’s Opening Day contest at Globe Life Field will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Featured image via Chris Tilley/Imagn Images
