Red Sox’ Chad Tracy discusses whether Marcelo Mayer will start vs. lefties, get time at shortstop

TORONTO — Red Sox second baseman Marcelo Mayer has not started a single game this season against a left-handed starting pitcher.

All 21 of the 23-year-old’s starts have come against right-handers. Mayer has just three plate appearances against lefties this season and so Cora almost always pinch hit for him against southpaw relievers.

Could that change with Cora gone and Chad Tracy now in charge as interim manager?

The Red Sox fired Cora on Saturday evening and promoted Tracy from Triple-A Worcester.

“I want to see Marcelo get some opportunities,” Tracy said before Monday’s game against the Blue Jays. “I’m not saying that tonight if something comes up and there’s a favorable matchup that we wouldn’t do that. I’m not saying that Marcelo is going to start against Tarik Skubal every time. But if there’s opportunities that we feel like we can give him a little bit more of that, we may do that.”

Mayer has gone 2 for 3 with a double against lefties this year.

He also has played all of his 171 ⅓ innings in the field at second base. He came through the system as a shortstop and has the potential to be a plus defender there.

• BETTING: For Tuesday’s matchup between the Red Sox and the Blue Jays, the over/under is currently set at 7.5 total runs on BetMGM. Our in-depth BetMGM Sportsbook review provides a guide on how to use their site.