Results tagged ‘ pittsburgh pirates ’
Should David Ortiz play first base for the Red Sox?
Whether David Ortiz likes it or not, he is a designated hitter and that role is not part of the game in a National League ball park. Red Sox manager Terry Francona has the idea of playing Ortiz at first and moving Adrian Gonzalez to right field during interleague play at National League parks. It’s a good idea in preparation for the World Series, but there is no need for it during all nine games of the upcoming road trip.
Ortiz should play first base in the second game of the three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Righty Jeff Karstens is the probable starting pitcher. Ortiz is 2-for-3 with one home run off of Karstens during his career. Ortiz can be put on pinch-hit duty for the other two games of the series. One start and a couple pinch-hit at-bats should be enough in PNC, where he has struggled in the past. Gonzalez, who doesn’t have great numbers at PNC either, can take the second game off and give J.D. Drew or Mike Cameron some playing time.
After the Pittsburgh series, the Red Sox will take a day off and travel to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for a three-game series. Both Ortiz and Gonzalez have hit exceptionally well there. The Philadelphia Phillies are a potential World Series team and this series can give the Red Sox a glimpse on how this situation could play out in a World Series matchup.
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