Bochy not concerned about string of righties in lineup

By Chris Haft

March 31, 2014

PHOENIX -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy's Opening Night batting order Monday included three right-handed hitters arranged consecutively, fourth through sixth: Buster Posey, Hunter Pence and Michael Morse.

This created the potential for the opposing Arizona Diamondbacks to attempt to neutralize the Giants with an effective right-handed reliever or two in the later innings. But, as Bochy said, "they're not guys I'm planning on platooning."

Bochy also mentioned that Posey, Pence and Morse have hit almost equally well against right-handers as they have off lefties in their careers. Statistics support this observation.

Posey entered this season with a slash line that's clearly better against left-handers (.343/.405/.600) than right-handers (.294/.366/.441). But Pence's righty-lefty splits are similar (.284/.337/.462 against right-handers, .289/.345/.522 off lefties). The same goes for Morse (.280/.332/.470 off righties, .284/.340/.479 versus left-handers).

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Haft-Baked Ideas, and follow him on Twitter at @sfgiantsbeat.