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Will Red Sox Continue To Utilize Star Slugger In Cleanup Spot?
TL;DR
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy has moved star slugger Willson Contreras back to the cleanup spot in the batting order after 14 games of batting second.
Key points
- Chad Tracy is the interim manager of the Boston Red Sox.
- Willson Contreras was moved back to the cleanup spot.
- Contreras batted second for 14 games under Tracy.
Boston Red SoxWillson Contreras
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras
Will Red Sox Continue To Utilize Star Slugger In Cleanup Spot? originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Chad Tracy made a slight change to the Boston Red Sox's lineup on Wednesday, moving star slugger Willson Contreras back into the cleanup spot of the order.
In each of the first 14 games Contreras has appeared in since Tracy took over as interim manager, he batted second in the Red Sox's order despite operating out of the cleanup spot for the majority of the season.
Contreras has been one of the most consistent pieces of the Red Sox's offense this season, leading the team with eight home runs and 23 runs batted in. Tracy decided to move the star first baseman back to the cleanup spot with the hope of getting him more opportunities with runners on base.
“We’re trying things,” Tracy said on Wednesday, as transcribed by MassLive's Christopher Smith. “Like today I moved Willson to the four hole. Let’s see if he comes to the plate in the first inning -- and there’s a man on base instead of with nobody on. There’s little things we can try.
“He’s got a lot of power and so him somewhere plugged in that top middle of the order is important for us. And in particular, if he can show up with people on base. We talk in here a lot about what instant offense does and you try to find that moment. Like does he show up with people on base and if he pops one, it changes the whole game.”
Wednesday marked Contreras' first game since suffering a right-hand contusion on Sunday. The three-time All-Star went 0-4 in his return, grounding into two double plays, but had opportunities with runners on base in each of his plate appearances.
Though he failed to make the most of his opportunities, Contreras is one of Boston's best offensive players. It will be interesting to see if Tracy utilizes the slugger out of the cleanup spot moving forward or continues to move him around in the Red Sox's lineup.
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Q&A
Why did the Red Sox move Willson Contreras to the cleanup spot?
The Red Sox moved Willson Contreras to the cleanup spot to optimize their lineup, as he had previously operated there for most of the season.
How has Willson Contreras performed batting second for the Red Sox?
Willson Contreras batted second in the Red Sox's lineup for 14 games under interim manager Chad Tracy before being moved back to cleanup.
Who is the interim manager of the Boston Red Sox?
Chad Tracy is the interim manager of the Boston Red Sox.
