Giants Make Surprising Change Atop Lineup Against Red Sox

The San Francisco Giants are changing things up at the top of the order as the team tries to come back from a loss at Fenway Park on Friday.

For the first time this year, Victor Bericoto is going to get an opportunity to be in the leadoff position for the Giants. Manager Tony Vitello is moving the right-handed hitter to the No. 1 spot to take on the Boston Red Sox left-hander Patrick Sandoval.

Drew Gilbert was in the leadoff position on Friday evening but that was against a right-handed pitcher, Sonny Gray.

The Giants will take the field holding a 52-76 record on the year. The loss number went up again after the team lost the series opener Friday with a score of 6-4.

Victor Bericoto Gets His Shot at Leadoff

San Francisco Giants right fielder Victor Bericoto | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The most interesting change in Vitello’s lineup is Bericoto moving to the top.

The 24-year-old has moved around the order and been in several positions, but this will be the first time he is leadoff.

The matchup against the left-handed Sandoval will give Vitello an opportunity to get another right-handed bat at the top of the order.

Gilbert, who was top of the order on Friday, will drop all the way down to the No. 8 position. He hit a home run in the game, which gave him an encouraging moment, but for the most part, it has been a difficult stretch for the Giants overall.

Devers remains No. 2 as the designated hitter. Willy Adames follows him at shortstop with Bryce Eldridge batting cleanup.

San Francisco Giants Starting Lineup vs. Boston Red Sox

Victor Bericoto, LF
Rafael Devers, DH
Willy Adames, SS
Bryce Eldridge, 1B
Osleivis Basabe, 2B
Jung Hoo Lee, RF
Christian Koss, 3B
Drew Gilbert, CF
Andrew Knizner, C

Starting pitcher: Blade Tidwell

Blade Tidwell Gets the Ball

The Giants are handing the ball to Tidwell while trying to even the score in the three-game series.

He will come into this start with a 4.33 ERA and 20 strikeouts. San Francisco could really use some length from the right-hander, as Webb only lasted 2 2/3 innings and allowed five runs.

The Red Sox will counter will Sandoval, who is 1-2 with a 4.76 ERA and 35 strikeouts.

Despite having a left-hander on the mound, Vitello is sticking with his most important left-handed bats. Devers, Eldridge and Lee are all in the lineup.

3 Matchups to Watch

San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Victor Bericoto vs Patrick Sandoval: Of course this is the most interesting matchup. Bericoto has never started a major league game in the leadoff position. He will immediately be given the chance to set the table. Getting on base early with Devers, Adames and Eldridge following could create chaos early.

Rafael Devers vs. Patrick Sandoval: Devers already announced his return with his homer on Friday evening in Fenway. Saturday presents a slightly different scenario with a left-on-left, but San Fransicso is glad to have him back and is keeping him in the lineup.

Blade Tidwell vs. Boston’s Middle of the Order: The series opener was a reminder just how fast the Giants can let a game get away. One bad inning can turn into a major deficit for this team. The Red Sox scored five times in the third, including a home run by Wilson Contreras. Tidwell will be tasked with preventing a crooked inning that makes San Francisco scramble.

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