Alex Cora lays out his Red Sox lineup plans for first two series of the year

CINCINNATI — The Red Sox’ Opening Day lineup at Great American Ballpark didn’t offer any surprises.

The only thing that wasn’t pre-deterined was the choice for second base. Facing Cincinnati Reds starter Andrew Abbott, Alex Cora chose to sit Marcelo Mayer and give the start to veteran infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a righty hitter.

In the coming days, Cora will do his best to mix in some others and have them make their 2026 debut. With two righty starters (Brady Singer and Rhett Lowder) set to pitch for the Reds Saturday and Sunday, expect that Mayer will be at second for both.

Behind the plate, backup Connor Wong will make his debut Sunday with Connelly Early set to pitch for the Sox. It’s expected that Wong will also catch Tuesday night in Houston, while will allow No. 1 catcher Carlos Narvaez to catch Garrett Crochet on Wednesday’s get-away game, having had a game off the night before.

“We got the day game on Wednesday” explained Cora, “and I want to keep Narvy with Crochet.”

Tuesday night means that Wong will catch Brayan Bello’s first start of the season. That combination worked well together frequently last year, but Cora said this move wasn’t by design.

“It’s just the way the schedule worked out,” he said.

Cora added that Mastaka Yoshida will earn an early-season start in the series debut Sunday, though he was unsure which outfielder would sit to accommodate Yoshida.

“We’ll make it work,” said Cora.

Cora said Andruw Monasterio will also get a start in Houston, though details there are also incomplete. Monasterio can play second, third and shortstop.

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