Alex Cora. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox try to beat shift ban with unique alignment vs. Twins

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/4/23

The Boston Red Sox attempted to beat MLB's new defensive shift ban during their spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on Friday.

Believe this is the first time I’ve seen a shifted outfielder this camp. Red Sox rearranging their outfield alignment to put an extra man on the right side against, of course, Joey Gallo. pic.twitter.com/SQPuHx75Aj
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 3, 2023

Red Sox go with a two-man outfield vs. Joey Gallo, playing the third outfielder in short right field where a shifted second basemen might have been previously. pic.twitter.com/U3oDyh29jD
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) March 3, 2023

Joey Gallo is known to be one of the heaviest pull hitters (and most strikeout-prone) in all of baseball, so the shift ban would theoretically help him more than most batters this season. In this instance, Boston's unique alignment (with outfielder Adam Duvall coming in to play in shallow right field) didn't end up making a difference, as Gallo drew a walk.

In September, MLB's competition committee officially voted to implement a pitch clock for the 2023 season, ban defensive shifts and introduce a host of other changes or alterations to other rules. Some, like Red Sox manager Alex Cora and New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge have praised the changes (particularly the pitch clock), while others like possible future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre, have been critical.

The very early returns on the new rules are that it's cutting the game time down, which was MLB's goal. It's also resulted in some entertaining situations that fans normally wouldn't see on the diamond, such as Manny Machado being called for a strike without a pitch being delivered and a game ending in a tie after a pitch clock violation.

Opening Day is March 30.

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