Cleveland Indians’ ideal lineup to close out the 2020 season

Catcher, Right-Handed Hitter

The seventh and eighth spots in the Cleveland Indians’ batting order are really interchangeable as both batters bring similar attributes to the table. The deciding factor was from which side of the plate each swings.

Being a right-handed hitter, Roberto Perez creates an alternating left-right-left-right for the last four batters in the lineup which is a big plus for the part of the lineup that usually doesn’t do much. That back-and-forth makes it difficult for opposing bullpens, especially with the new three-batter minimum.

In a limited 20 games from injuries, Perez is slashing just .177/.282/.242 which isn’t ideal for the seventh spot in the lineup, but as we’ll find out, it doesn’t get much better in the next slot in the order. However, like the players ahead of him, Perez has an upside of what could be.

What Perez does bring as another plus is a catcher with offensive potential. It hasn’t shown yet this season, but last year Perez knocked a career-high 24 home runs and 63 RBI. Having not found a rhythm yet this year, Perez could return to that a bit as his playing time regulates again, which would fit perfectly into this spot in the batting order.