BOSTON — First thing’s first. Adam Frazier, the 25-year-old utility player who broke into the majors last summer, will lead off and play left field for the Pirates on opening day Monday at Fenway Park. The game is at 2:05 p.m. and airs on Root Sports in Pittsburgh.
Frazier batted .301 in 66 games last season. At this point, Josh Harrison is expected to be the starter at second base, but Frazier could eventually challenge him for that role.
Gregory Polanco, tabbed as the everyday left fielder this year, has been dealing with shoulder issues in recent weeks and will be designated hitter against the Boston Red Sox. The Pirates’ outfield is otherwise normal — normal, so long as you’ve accepted that Andrew McCutchen is the new right fielder and Starling Marte, who won a Gold Glove in 2015 and 2016, is in center.
The pitching matchup Monday is Gerrit Cole versus Rick Porcello, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. This is just the Pirates’ fourth game ever at Fenway Park.
The first lineup. pic.twitter.com/t0lGtqwzHs
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) April 3, 2017
PIRATES
1. Adam Frazier (L) LF
2. Starling Marte (R) CF
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) RF
4. Gregory Polanco (L) DH
5. David Freese (R) 3B
6. Francisco Cervelli (R) C
7. Josh Bell (S) 1B
8. Josh Harrison (R) 2B
9. Jordy Mercer (R) SS
Gerrit Cole RHP
RED SOX
1. Dustin Pedroia (R) 2B
2. Andrew Benintendi (L) LF
3. Mookie Betts (R) RF
4. Hanley Ramirez (R) DH
5. Mitch Moreland (L) 1B
6. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
7. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) CF
8. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
9. Sandy Leon (S) C
Rick Porcello RHP
Stephen J. Nesbitt: snesbitt@post-gazette.com and Twitter @stephenjnesbitt.
First Published: April 3, 2017, 2:39 p.m.
