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Jackie Bradley Jr. Moved To Leadoff Amid 29-Game Hit Streak: Is It The Right Move?

By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Red Sox are giving leadoff man Mookie Betts the night off Thursday night against the Colorado Rockies, and made an interesting choice for the player to take his place: center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who is in the midst of a 29-game hitting streak, will bat first in Thursday night's lineup. It will be his first career start in the leadoff spot; he has slid into that spot mid-game three times.

I would consider Bradley's current state akin to a pitcher by himself in the dugout while he has a perfect game going. You leave that guy alone while he's locked in. Bradley has been batting in the bottom half of the order for most of the streak, and moving him up five spots and immediately putting him on the spot in trying to advance his hitting streak is a curious move, to say the least.

A logical one would say John Farrell is trying to maximize the hot-hitting Bradley's at-bats and chances to continue the streak. A cynical one would say Tom Werner slithered around the clubhouse looking for a way to boost ratings and get fans in the ballpark sooner. A reasonable one would say it's just a one-night thing and Bradley has always been next in line when Betts takes a night off. Whatever the reason, moving Bradley this much in the order, while he's on the verge of joining elite company on his hitting streak, makes me a bit queasy.

Hopefully, Bradley just grabs a leadoff hit on the first pitch and shuts me up.

Full Red Sox lineup:

1. CF Jackie Bradley Jr.
2. 2B Dustin Pedroia
3. SS Xander Bogaerts
4. DH David Ortiz
5. 1B Hanley Ramirez
6. 3B Travis Shaw
7. RF Chris Young
8. LF Blake Swihart
9. C Christian Vazquez

Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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