FORT MYERS, Fla. - Spring training is often a time for experimentation, but on Sunday, Alex Cora gave fans a sneak peek of what the regular season might hold. In their second Grapefruit League game, the lineup seemed to hint at Cora’s Opening Day plans for March 26 in Cincinnati.
Cora strategically alternated left- and right-handed hitters through the top six spots. The lineup featured Roman Anthony (L), Trevor Story (R), Jarren Duran (L), Willson Contreras (R), Wilyer Abreu (L), and Caleb Durbin (R).
Following them were righties Ceddanne Rafaela, Carlos Narváez, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. However, Marcelo Mayer, a promising lefty, could shake things up at the bottom of the order.
“It’s something I have envisioned and it just happened that for the first time in years, what you might see early is what you’re probably going to see on Opening Day,” Cora shared.
This glimpse into the lineup reflects Cora’s strategic approach, balancing power and precision with a mix of left and right-handed bats. It’s an exciting preview for fans eager to see how these combinations will play out when the games start to count.