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Expect to see more of Shoppach
Kelly Shoppach is starting at catcher today, and manager Joe Maddon said he may once again get a significant share of playing time.
That's because neither John Jaso nor Jose Lobaton are hitting much, and Shoppach is the best defensive player of the three. In essesence, Maddon said if they aren't getting more offense from Jaso or Lobaton there is no sense in sacrificing defense.
Lobaton is hitting .074 (2-for-27) and Jaso .223, with 5 homers and 27 RBIs. Shoppach is hitting .173 with 8 homers and 19 RBIs.
"We can not sacrifice behind the plate if we are not in fact picking it up at the plate,'' Maddon said.
In the last two games, Lobaton and Jaso failed to block pitches that led to Red Sox runs. Also, Jaso has thrown out only 9 of 59 potential base-stealers (a .153 percentage); Shoppach has thrown out .421 percent (16 of 38).
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