Why Is Marcelo Mayer Not Starting On Opening Day?
· Yahoo Sports
Why Is Marcelo Mayer Not Starting On Opening Day? originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox took Marcelo Mayer on the opening day roster, but he will not be the everyday second baseman.
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Mayer will not be starting against left-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott in Cincinnati. Instead, Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start up the middle next to Trevor Story.
All spring, Alex Cora noted that Mayer's spot on the team needed to be earned, and he did enough to secure a spot on the opening day roster. However, he will be in somewhat of a platoon until he proves he is ready to be a regular. Mayer hit .154 against left-handed pitching last season in the big leagues.
Kiner-Falefa has a .251 batting average against left-handed pitching in his career. He has a .643 OPS against southpaws. The other option to start at second base was Andruw Monasterio, who has a .255 average against left-handed pitching and a .727 OPS. Cora had noted previously that second base would be a platoon early on.
Mayer will seemingly get his starts exclusively against right-handed pitching to start the year. However, eventually, the Red Sox will have to give him opportunities against southpaws. He was one of the best prospects in the organization, and still figures to be a big part of their future. Fans should only expect Mayer to start with a right-hander on the mound for a while.
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