DETROIT – Manager Terry Francona doesn't reach decisions by throwing things against the wall to see if they stick. He thinks about them. Then he thinks some more and a little more after that.
The decision to bat Carlos Santana leadoff against right-handed pitchers this season was reached that way. He tested it in spring training even though the analytics department said he might be weakening the middle of the lineup if he did so.
Santana was back in the leadoff spot again Saturday afternoon as he opened the Indians' 6-0 victory over the Tigers with his team-high 16th home run of the season.