SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy ended an offseason of speculation Wednesday by declaring his preference to bat Joe Panik leadoff against right-handed pitchers, followed by Brandon Belt.
"There's no question" about this, Bochy said after the Giants' 4-4, 10-inning Cactus League tie with the San Diego Padres. Bochy's inclinations became clearer in recent weeks as Panik remained a fixture at the top of the order while personnel changed in other spots.
This virtually assures that the middle of San Francisco's batting order usually will consist of some combination of Buster Posey, Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria.