Cleveland – Back in spring training, when manager Ron Gardenhire was toying with the construction of his lineup, he called Nick Castellanos into his office. He knew Castellanos had success hitting in the No. 2 hole, in front of Miguel Cabrera, last season.
He also knew it wasn’t likely he’d be able to hit him there this year.
“The question was, should I bat him in front of Miggy or behind Miggy,” Gardenhire said, recalling the conversation. “I told him I thought he needed to start out hitting behind Cabrera. I said, ‘If you’re not back there, Cabrera’s not going to get pitched to – that’s the bottom line.