CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Terry Francona plans to open the season with four switch hitters atop his starting nine.
No, that’s not a typo.
Four of them, right out of the gate.
“I know that it can take away from some balance when bullpen guys come in, but I think the idea is to beat the starter,” Francona said. “I think we fell like that’s probably our four best guys, taking everything into consideration whether it’s speed, on base, power; it probably situates us probably in the best way to win a game.”
Francona revealed Monday afternoon he would lead off with second baseman Cesar Hernandez followed by third baseman Jose Ramirez, shortstop Francisco Lindor and first baseman/DH Carlos Santana when the season begins Friday night against the Royals at Progressive Field.
Francona feels Ramirez and Santana are interchangeable but Ramirez’s speed is better suited for the second spot in the lineup.
“Jose runs a little better,” Francona said. “I think Carlos is more comfortable hitting clean up.”
Monday night the four hitters combined for five hits in 12 plate appearances, four runs scored and four RBI – all by Lindor – in the 11-7 win over the Pirates.
Feeling better – Outfielder Jordan Luplow’s sore back appears to be much improved.
Luplow homered in his first at-bat Monday night in the bottom of the fifth after taking over as a defensive replacement in right field in the top of the inning.
Bombs away – The Indians hit four homers against the Pirates Monday night – Lindor, Luplow, Mike Freeman and Jake Bauers.
Roster moves – Catcher Beau Taylor was informed he will not make the club but was asked to finish the summer camp in Cleveland.
Outfielder Daniel Johnson and right hander David Hernandez also did not make the team. Both players were assigned to the alternate site at Lake County.
“He came into this camp and made it really difficult,” Francona said of Johnson. “(His time) could be right on the horizon. I didn’t want it to get lost in the disappointment of not making the club how impressive he’s been.”
The moves reduced the roster to 34.
2020 Oddities – Monday night’s exhibition between the Indians and Pirates was just the fifth – and third between the teams – played at Progressive Field since the ballpark opened in 1994.
The two teams met in the first ever event held in the park April 2, 1994, a 6-4 10 inning victory for Pittsburgh in front of a sellout crowd and again on March 30, 1996, an 8-6 Indians win.
Monday night’s game was also the latest exhibition game in a calendar year since the 1981 strike that saw play halted in June 12. The Indians faced Pittsburgh in Cleveland Aug. 6 and in Pittsburgh Aug. 7 that year prior to the resumption of play and 1981 All-Star Game, played at Cleveland Stadium.
