Red Sox vs. Braves lineups: It’s Franchy SZN

The Red Sox and Braves play yet again in the opponent-light, COVID-inspired March schedule while they face off at 1:05 p.m. behind Martín Pérez at CoolToday Park. This one is being broadcast by the Braves station, so those with an MLB.TV sub can watch. It’ll also be broadcast on MLB Network.

In happy news, it’s the first day of spring, which means we’re officially into spring training. In happier news, Franchy Cordero, acquired by the team in the Andrew Benintendi trade, will make his first start of the spring and Garrett Richards, for one, is excited to see the big man play, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com:

“Franchy’s a specimen,” said Red Sox starter Garrett Richards who tossed 5 innings [sic] “He’s gets in the box and it’s a big dude. Obviously physically gifted. He’s staying on the fastball. I threw him a lot of breaking balls today. He had some long at-bats. He fought off some really good pitches and ended up putting some balls up the middle in the air, in play. He definitely looks like he’s starting to settle in baseball-wise. He looks like he has a good approach at the plate. He’s staying on stuff. I kind of threw him the whole kitchen sink today and he had some really nice ABs. So I think he’s coming along nice.”

Kiké Hernández is back in center field today, one day after Jarren Duran smacked three more hits to send his fanboys, the author included, into further paroxysms that he didn’t make the opening day roster. Franchy—who will get the first name treatment in these pages—will forego playing the field, starting his season off at DH.

Pérez gets the start for the Sox, and I’d love to tell you who is following him up but the team appears to have removed me from their distribution list after a whole three days. New record, baby! Anyhow, Bryse Wilson starts for the Braves, who will not be using a DH, while the Sox will, because lol nothing matters. Enjoy!

Red Sox lineup

1. Kiké Hernández, CF

2. Alex Verdugo, RF

3. J.D. Martinez, LF

4. Rafael Devers, 3B

5. Marwin Gonzalez, 2B

6. Christian Vázquez, C

7. Franchy Cordero, DH

8. Bobby Dalbec, 1B

9. Christian Arroyo, SS

SP: Martín Pérez, LHP

Braves lineup

1. Guillermo Heredia, RF

2. Freddie Freeman, 1B

3. Marcell Ozuna, LF

4. Austin Riley, 3B

5. Johan Camargo, SS

6. Ehire Adrianza, 2B

7. Ender Inciarte, CF

8. Alex Jackson, C

9, SP: Bryse Wilson RHP