Red Sox Giving Marcelo Mayer ‘Chances’ In Key Spots originally appeared on NESN.
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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.
Boston will conclude its three-game series against the Houston Astros on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. ET as the Red Sox look for the series win.
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