NAVEL GAZING
Sale eyes Game 1 start, Betts may move to let Martinez play in outfield
Series Game 1 starter Chris Sale rebounds from illness he blames (heh, heh) on a belly-button ring,
BOSTON— Red Sox ace Chris Sale resumed throwing and said he’s ready to start Game 1 of the World Series after missing a start in the AL Championship and being hospitalized.
Sale threw a bullpen session Saturday and said he will go through his normal routine before taking the mound at Fenway Park for Tuesday’s opener.
First, though, the ace left-hander had some fun with reporters when asked about what landed him in hospital, saying it was caused by irritation from a belly-button ring. Although Sale remained deadpan during the comment, he has not been observed with a pierced navel.
“I had irritation from a belly button ring, just constantly taking it in and out, causing irritation and got a rash down there,” quipped Sale.
“Doctors and nurses over at (Massachusetts General Hospital) were awesome. Things happen, you handle them and keep moving forward.”
Sale was initially slated to pitch Game 5 of the ALCS but was ruled out after the illness left him weak. He called it a dream to get the ball for Game1.
In another twist, Gold Glove right fielder Mookie Betts might play second base in World Series road games.
Manager Alex Cora floated the idea to make room for all-star J.D. Martinez in the outfield. Martinez has two homers and nine RBIs as Boston’s designated hitter this post-season, and when Boston loses the DH for games either at Los Angeles or Milwaukee, Cora has to find space for him on the field. His best position is right field.
“A.C. has never steered us wrong,” Betts said.
“Naturally, if he trusts me then I should believe in myself. That’s what it takes to win. I’ll do whatever.”
Boston was set to learn its World Series opponent Satur- day night when the Dodgers and Brewers played Game 7 of the NL Championship Series, and that will influence how Cora stacks his lineup for Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary.
Betts at second is a possibility, but not a certainty. “I don’t know, man,” Cora said. “He already played second during the regular season. So, there’s always a chance, I guess.”
Betts was a second baseman throughout his minor league career and played 14 games there as a rookie in 2014, relieving an injured Dustin Pedroia. He also played second for six innings against the Yankees on Aug. 3 after Ian Kinsler was hurt.
He takes grounders before games during the regular season and was at the keystone for some work Saturday when Boston practiced at Fenway Park.
“He’ll take ground balls as always. That’s not gonna change,” Cora said. “But obviously we’ll see who we play and matchups.” Among the advantages to moving Betts to second: it could help keep ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr. in the lineup. Kinsler and Brock Holt would likely go to the bench with Betts at second.
“We’ve got some pretty good second basemen, we’ve got some pretty good outfielders,” Cora said. “We’re in the World Series. That conversation was gonna come up. One thing for sure, J.D. will play. That’s clear. We’ll see which alignment is better, which lineup is better and we’ll make decisions accordingly.”
Betts drew positive reviews as an infielder in the minor leagues, but he’s only played 128 innings there as a major leaguer. Cora has never seen him play the position in person — he was ejected from the Aug. 3 game against the Yankees before Betts replaced Kinsler.
“I was just joking with him that there’s a reason he’s the right fielder,” Cora said. “He feels he’s good at second. I don’t know. I never saw it. If you asked him he’ll say, ‘I’m great.’ ”