In preparation for the postseason, the Royals have moved left fielder Alex Gordon into the leadoff spot. He’s expected to get his first opportunity today, but the Royals and Orioles are currently waiting out a rain delay in Baltimore.
Gordon has 296 career starts out of the leadoff spot, including seven this season. However, he hasn’t done it regularly since since 2013. Gordon just returned after missing eight weeks with a groin injury, so Royals manager Ned Yost told Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com that he wanted to ease him back into things before making the lineup change.
“You just do a lot more running from the leadoff spot,” Yost said. “I see now he’s able to trust himself, so the move makes sense now.”
Alcides Escobar has been the Royals’ regular leadoff man this season, but he owns an ugly .296 on-base percentage. Gordon has a .360 on-base percentage dating back to 2011.
