RED SOX JOURNAL: Benintendi retakes the lead in the lineup

BOSTON — The Red Sox split into two teams for Thursday’s intersquad game, and Andrew Benintendi batted leadoff for one of them.

That’s the plan going forward, according to manager Ron Roenicke, and it’s one that generally failed in 2019. Benintendi managed a .119/.229/.143 slash line in his lead-off at-bats while serving as the leadoff hitter, striking out 16 times.

Boston elected to flip-flop the top two hitters [...]

BOSTON — The Red Sox split into two teams for Thursday’s intersquad game, and Andrew Benintendi batted leadoff for one of them.

That’s the plan going forward, according to manager Ron Roenicke, and it’s one that generally failed in 2019. Benintendi managed a .119/.229/.143 slash line in his lead-off at-bats while serving as the leadoff hitter, striking out 16 times.

Boston elected to flip-flop the top two hitters in a lineup that mashed its way to a 2018 World Series title. Mookie Betts dropped to the No. 2 spot in an attempt to create more run-producing opportunities for the reigning American League Most Valuable Player. The Red Sox offense often failed to fire instead, dropping well off the historic pace it set the previous season.

"I think that’s kind of what we talked about in spring training," Roenicke said. "In a lefty-righty situation, we’ll kind of have to figure that out because of the three left-handed outfielders we have."

Kevin Pillar is almost certain to play against left-handed pitching and J.D. Martinez could be pressed into left field or right field. That would leave one spot for Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. or Alex Verdugo. Benintendi is ready to start fresh in 2020 and return to what seemed to be the career track of an impact regular.

"For me, I would say it doesn’t really matter once you get that first at-bat out of the way," Benintendi said. "I guess what I can learn from it is just getting into the dugout quicker and getting all my stuff on so I can get out on deck and watch the pitcher.

"I have kind of a routine when I’m on deck that I go through — watching pitches and things like that. I think, obviously, this time around, it will be a lot better than it was in the past."

Benintendi hit 20 home runs and stole 20 bases in 2017, his first full season with the club. He’s reached 40 doubles in each of his last two campaigns, but last year he managed just 13 round-trippers and 10 steals. Benintendi’s .774 OPS was a shade below the .776 he posted as a rookie.

"Trying to keep my bat in the zone a lot longer than it was last year," Benintendi said. "That’s something we’re working every day off the tee and with flips before we take BP on the field. Just hammer that stuff out every day and find a good routine that works for me."

Benintendi popped to third and grounded into a fielder’s choice on Thursday. He faced Nathan Eovaldi in each of his two at-bats.

Major League Baseball released its 2021 schedule Thursday, with all 30 clubs scheduled to play on Opening Day.

The Red Sox will host the Orioles on April 1. It will be just the sixth time in 26 years Boston has opened at home and the third time since 2010.

The National League East will provide the interleague opposition for the Red Sox. Boston will host Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia and the Mets. The Red Sox play their lone series against Washington at Nationals Park, a three-game set that finishes the regular season Oct. 1-3.

Boston will play six three-game series against the Yankees, including one that could have serious American League East title implications. The Red Sox host New York for the final time Sept. 24-26 before visiting the Orioles and Nationals. Boston has five scheduled off days in September, including three over the season’s final two weeks.

The Red Sox will play a pair of three-game series against the Phillies and six two-game series against the other three N.L. East clubs. Boston matches up with New York in its first interleague game April 27, part of a two-game set at Citi Field.

Fenway Park will play host to a pair of Monday holiday games next season. The Red Sox face the White Sox on Patriots Day and start a three-game series with the Rays on Labor Day. Boston will be on the West Coast for Independence Day, finishing a three-game series at Oakland.

The previous Red Sox April 1 home opener occurred in 2002. Ugueth Urbina took the loss in a 12-11 thriller against the Blue Jays, allowing a lone run in the top of the ninth inning. Jason Varitek, Tony Clark and Rey Sanchez all had multiple hits for the Red Sox and first-year manager Grady Little.

Game times and the 2021 spring training schedule will be finalized at a later date. The All-Star Break is scheduled for July 12-14 and the game itself will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta.

With an intersquad game scheduled for 2 p.m., several Red Sox players hit the field early Thursday to go through their scheduled workouts.

Left-handers Brian Johnson and Kyle Hart threw simultaneous bullpen sessions in right field. Johnson started the fourth day of live batting practice and appears to be a candidate at the back end of the rotation.

Collin McHugh threw his second bullpen session of Summer Camp, following Johnson on the mound closest to the triangle in deep center field. McHugh played catch in the outfield on Wednesday and continues to work his way back from a right elbow injury.

All six catchers were on the field for early batting practice, and Jonathan Lucroy stayed out to play first base with a six-man infield group. Jose Peraza and Jonathan Arauz manned second base, C.J. Chatham was at shortstop and third base was shared by Marco Hernandez and Tzu-Wei Lin.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25