Cleveland Indians: Predicting lineup as summer camp opens

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Cleveland Indians Jordan Luplow(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Bottom of the order

RHP: Perez, D. Santana, DeShields/Naquin

LHP: Luplow, Perez, D. Santana

This is where Terry Francona earns the big bucks, as he’s got a glut of players to rotate around.

I know this: You want Jordan Luplow, who hit 14 home runs with a 1.181 OPS in 155 plate appearances to bat against lefties. Plus, the Tribe was talking about taking more of a look at him against right-handers, as well.

He can play one of the corner outfield spots, or he can DH some too, as the Indians haven’t really figured that spot out. Many pundits are giving the spot to Domingo Santana. He hit 13 homes off right-handers, compared to eight against southpaws. That said, he was a better bet to get on base against lefties, boosting a .345 on-base percentage in 167 plate appearances ages left handers.

It wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Francona DH Luplow against southpaws, while starting DeShields in the outfield.

Perez’s 2019 breakout has mostly been forgotten, so it will be intriguing to see if he can build on the 4.0 WAR, 24 home-run performance of a season ago.

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