Lineup close to taking shape for Opening Day

SAN FRANCISCO -- It's hard to keep up with all the lineups manager Bruce Bochy has created late in Spring Training, but he hinted that Thursday's order against the visiting A's was a sneak preview of the Opening Day look for the Giants.

"This could be our lineup," Bochy said.

No surprise seeing Angel Pagan leading off the order Thursday, but Hunter Pence in the No. 2 hole is something new. Pence hasn't taken an at-bat at the second spot since he joined the Giants during the 2012 season, but the high-energy outfielder could see some time there in 2014.

"He's done it. When he came up [to the Majors] he hit in the two-hole," Bochy said. "He does give you speed, plus he's a guy that can hit the ball out of the ballpark, too. That's not a bad thing to have at the top of the order."

Traditional baseball logic usually amounts to two table setters atop the lineup, but throughout MLB in 2013 many sluggers occupied the No. 2 spot, including heavy hitters Mike Trout, Jose Bautista and Robinson Cano. Michael Morse, who hit No. 2 in three straight games this week, also was tabbed by Bochy as a potential second hitter in the 2014 lineup.

"If those guys are hitting in the two-hole, that's pretty cool," Morse said of the aforementioned All-Stars who hit second in 2013. "That's a good group to be a part of."

Morse said it "doesn't matter" which spot he takes in the lineup, where he's expected to be an everyday fixture in left field. On Thursday, he batted sixth behind the 3-4-5 combo of Brandon Belt, Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval, while Joaquin Arias, Brandon Crawford and pitcher Tim Hudson rounded out the order.