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How has Tribe fared with Santana leading off?
- Updated: May 5, 2016
CLEVELAND — Carlos Santana is getting comfortable seeing his name in the top slot of the Indians’ lineup. More important to the designated hitter, however, is Cleveland’s record with him serving as the leadoff man.
“If you check it,” Santana said on Wednesday night, “when I’m put in leadoff, the team has played better and we won a couple games. I think it’s like 6-1.”
Santana was correct. Including the Tribe’s 4-0 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday, Cleveland has won six of seven games in which the switch-hitter has served as the lineup’s tablesetter. Indians manager Terry Francona moved Santana to that role due to his ability to see pitches, draw walks and get on base for the hitters who follow (typically Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Michael Brantley and Mike Napoli).
There are games in which Francona puts Santana back in the middle, though. On Thursday, for example, the manager moved Santana back to the No. 6 spot to help create a little more balance throughout the batting order. More often …
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