Alex Cora Explains Red Sox's Opening Day Lineup Decision
'It’s strategy. So we’ll see how it plays out -- when and where they play.'
Alex Cora Explains Red Sox's Opening Day Lineup Decision originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The only minor surprise in the Boston Red Sox 's Opening Day starting lineup on Thursday vs.
the Cincinnati Reds was Isiah Kiner-Falefa getting the start at second base. Cora had said during spring training that Marcelo Mayer was expected to serve as the team's primary second baseman but would occasionally be on the bench against left-handed pitchers. That's the case on Thursday, when the Red Sox face Reds 2025 All-Star southpaw Andrew Abbott.
Boston could've also started infielder Andruw Monasterio at second base, who was acquired in a February trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. "The at-bat, we like. He’s swinging the bat well," Cora said of Kiner-Falefa, who went 13-for-43 during spring training, according to MassLive's Christopher Smith .
"We can use (Monasterio) later in the game. ... It’s strategy.