Bogaerts Batting Third, Ortiz At Cleanup In Red Sox Opening Day Lineup
BOSTON (CBS) -- Opening Day is finally here, and we now have a first look at John Farrell's lineup for 2016.
When the Sox open in frigid Cleveland on Monday afternoon, here's what they'll roll out:
1. Mookie Betts, RF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Xander Bogaerts, SS
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Hanley Ramirez, 1B
6. Travis Shaw, 3B
7. Brock Holt, LF
8. Blake Swihart, C
9. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
David Price, SP
The Bogaerts-Ortiz spot at the three hole is something the Red Sox grew comfortable with last season, with Bogaerts hitting .341 with an .816 OPS in the three hole last year. Ortiz started 87 games batting cleanup, belting 30 of his 37 home runs in that spot. Keeping Bogaerts protected by Ortiz's presence should help the 23-year-old maintain a high average for the Sox.
The Indians will counter with this:
1. Rajai Davis, CF
2. Jason Kipnis, 2B
3. Francisco Lindor, SS
4. Mike Napoli, 1B
5. Carlos Santana, DH
6. Yan Gomes, C
7. Marlon Byrd, LF
8. Juan Uribe, 3B
9. Collin Cowgill, RF
Corey Kluber, SP
Kluber was the 2014 Cy Young Award winner, yet he led the AL in losses last year. Still, he had a good season otherwise, so expect a pretty good pitching showdown in this one.
