Decision time on Moreland’s status
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
The Red Sox like to run the bases with speed and aggression, but that could prove difficult if they decide to take Mitch Moreland on their roster.
As of last night, the Sox had not announced their roster for the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, which begins tonight at Fenway Park. They’re unsure if Moreland (sore hamstring) will be on it.
Moreland participated in a full workout on the field yesterday and said he felt good.
But when asked if he’d be able to run the bases at regular speed, he said, “regular speed probably won’t be until November-December. But yeah, if I’m smart with it I can get where I need to be.”
If the Sox can’t go with Moreland, they’re likely to add another pitcher to the roster and go with 12 pitchers and 13 position players this round. Lefties Bobby Poyner and Brian Johnson along with right-hander Hector Velazquez are options.
Moreland thinks he’s healthy enough to contribute.
“They just wanted me to feel it out there at first, and I pick it up as I went,” he said of his workout. “Last one I did a little bit more effort level, got on it like 6070-80 percent, right in that range, and I hadn’t felt it at all. It’s constantly getting better, day in and day out. On the right track.
“Obviously it’s something I’m going to have to be aware of, be smart with, but if I get the opportunity I think I’ll be ready.”
Steve Pearce has handled first base when Moreland hasn’t been able to go, but Brock Holt, who hit for the cycle in Game 3 of the Division Series and hasn’t played since, is also capable of handling first.
Inside information
After spending the entire 2017 season on the Astros bench, Alex Cora is hoping his knowledge of the opposition will help the Red Sox this series.
“I retain. I have a good memory. I do,” Cora said. “I don’t know man, they’re good players, they do a lot of good things ... I have an idea. I don’t know it’s going to work. It doesn’t guarantee it’s going to work. Everybody is like, ‘Alex knows them.’ Well, yeah, but they’re still good players. They’re pretty good. But we’ll talk. And we’ll do our thing.
“Hopefully I learned something from them that’s going to make a difference in one of the four games we want to win. If that happens, well, being familiar with them really helped. But it doesn’t guarantee anything.”
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was asked if Cora’s knowledge gave the Red Sox an advantage.
“Not really,” Altuve said. “This is a new year. We have really good players. I think both sides are really good and have really good teams pitching here. It’s going to be a pretty good series.”
Beyond explanation
David Price, who will pitch in Game 2 tomorrow, remained a hot topic of conversation yesterday.
Justin Verlander said he’s surprised that Price, a teammate when they were in Detroit, still hadn’t won a postseason start in 10 tries.
“Great teammate, really enjoyed my time with David,” Verlander said. “Him and I still talk all the time, stay in touch. And, yeah, I do find that odd. Honestly I hope the trend continues for the short term now.”
Does Price’s poor postseason track record matter to the ’Stros?
“That’s probably a pretty hard question,” Altuve said. “I think one thing about baseball is every day it’s a new opportunity and he can come the second game and pitch really good. Or we can take advantage of that and score a lot of runs. It can go either way.”
Sale says flip a coin
Chris Sale, who starts tonight opposite Verlander, doesn’t have an MVP vote; that’s up to 30 writers in the BBWAA. But if he did, he’d flip a coin to decide between Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez.
“It’s hard to deny 130 RBI, .330 and 40-something homers,” Sale said. “Then you throw Mookie in the mix. He’s a 30-30 guy; Gold Glove defense; hit, what, close to .350? I say just flip a coin or give it to them both.”
Education first
Astros third baseman Alex Bregman was drafted by the Red Sox in the 29th round in 2012, but didn’t sign and instead attended Louisiana State University for three years before the Astros selected him second overall in 2015.
“Honestly, I wanted to sign really bad (with the Red Sox) if it was going to be in the first round,” he said. “But they didn’t take me in the first round. I basically told them I was going to go to school. It was a big honor to be drafted by them . . . . Once I fell out of the first round, I knew I was going to go to LSU and very glad I did.”