Red Sox Giving Marcelo Mayer 'Chances' In Key Spots

TL;DR

Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy is providing Marcelo Mayer with opportunities to face left-handed pitchers. Mayer, a left-handed batter, has shown promise in these key situations.

Key points

Marcelo Mayer is a left-handed batter for the Boston Red Sox.
Interim manager Chad Tracy is giving Mayer chances against left-handed pitchers.
Tracy has been impressed with Mayer's performance in these situations.

Mentioned in this story

Chad Tracy

Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox second baseman Marcelo Mayer

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Marcelo Mayer is expected to be a key part of the Boston Red Sox for years to come, so interim manager Chad Tracy wants to see how he fares against lefties.

Mayer is a left-handed batter who hasn’t gotten many chances to face left-handed pitching. Yet, Tracy is giving him those chances, and the Red Sox’s interim manager has been impressed with how he’s fared.

“He looks confident,” Tracy said of Mayer, via MLB.com. “We're giving him a couple chances here and there against lefties in spots where maybe you move and pick the right spots. Doesn't mean it's always going to happen, but he looks confident.

“He's swinging the bat well. He's taking good bats. He's mostly staying off stuff out of the zone. He's ready to hit fastballs when they're in the zone. It's been a little bit better part of the week now. The at-bats have really improved. So hopefully, keep him moving in the right direction.”

Mayer is hitting .286 in seven at-bats vs. left-handed pitchers with one home run and three RBIs, as he’s showing he can be an everyday player for the Red Sox.

If Mayer can continue to hit lefties well, it will be hard for Tracy to keep him out of the Red Sox’s lineup on a daily basis.

Q&A

Why is Marcelo Mayer being given chances against left-handed pitchers?

Marcelo Mayer is being given chances against left-handed pitchers to assess his performance and potential as a key player for the Red Sox.

What has interim manager Chad Tracy said about Marcelo Mayer's performance?

Interim manager Chad Tracy has expressed being impressed with Marcelo Mayer's performance when facing left-handed pitching.

How does Marcelo Mayer's batting style affect his opportunities with the Red Sox?

As a left-handed batter, Marcelo Mayer has had limited chances against left-handed pitching, but the Red Sox are now focusing on providing him more opportunities.