The last two times the Boston Red Sox faced ace left-handed pitchers—on Saturday at home against reigning National League Cy Young winner Chris Sale of the Braves and Tuesday on the road against the New York Yankees’ prized free-agent acquisition Max Fried—first baseman Triston Casas has been in the starting lineup. This wasn’t a one-off decision, signaling a clear plan for Casas moving forward.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora made it clear that Casas’ role will remain consistent regardless of the pitcher, whether left-handed or right-handed.
“He will play. He’s going to play against lefties and rights,” Cora told MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “We’re not going to platoon at first base.”
Red Sox First Baseman Triston Casas Locked in for Full-Time Duty
Cora’s decision underscores the Red Sox’s commitment to Casas’ growth, offering him consistent playing time against both left- and right-handed pitchers. By sticking with Casas as an everyday player, the team aims to help him adjust to major league pitching and build confidence. This strategy reflects a long-term vision for Casas, ensuring he gains valuable experience without the disruption of platooning, which could be essential for his development moving forward.
Casas certainly seemed to be embracing his new role, even after hitting an opposite-field home run against Sale in his first at-bat on Saturday.
Triston Casas hit an opposite field
today off one of the toughest lefties in the game.
Just sit back and enjoy the breakout.pic.twitter.com/UUTyzlvBAv
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) March 15, 2025
Casas Shows Slight Platoon Advantage Against Right-Handed Pitchers
Over his career, Casas has shown a clear distinction in his performance based on pitching handedness. Against right-handed pitchers, he posted a .256/.359/.487 line with 35 home runs and 92 RBI in 657 plate appearances. Meanwhile, his numbers drop to .227/.350/.422 with seven home runs and 17 RBI in 183 plate appearances when facing opposite-handed pitchers. These figures reflect a more productive output against same-handed pitchers, which is consistent with his overall career splits.
Casas’ on-base percentage against left-handed pitchers indicates he has a solid understanding of the strike zone and strong plate discipline. However, to become a more well-rounded threat, he will need to find ways to unlock more consistent production against them. With his immense raw power and a growing toolkit, Casas is working to leverage every asset at his disposal, making himself a more dynamic threat from both sides of the plate. It will be key for his development moving forward.
Main Photo: © Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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