With pitchers, skip goes to 11
Cora doesn’t plan to change tactics for WS
The Red Sox aren’t going to mess with what’s been working.
They’ve gone with 11 pitchers and 14 position players in both rounds of the postseason, and manager Alex Cora said yesterday he probably will do the same thing for the World Series.
It got hairy for them in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, when Chris Sale was out of action due to a stomach illness and Cora tried riding Rick Porcello for a few extra outs, then later warmed up Game 5 starter David Price because there were few options remaining in the bullpen.
But the Sox prefer to carry three catchers (Sandy Leon, Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart), risking the possibility of being shorthanded in the ’pen.
“With us, it’s not about the pitching staff, it’s what we do offensively and how aggressive we are in the catcher’s spot,” Cora said. “Most likely, we’ll stay the same. We still have to talk about it, and we’re going to talk about it after the workout with Dave Dombrowski and the front office and the analytical staff, but most likely it will be kind of like the same roster as far as 11 pitchers.”
Knuckleballer Steven Wright threw a simulated game and the Sox are still unsure if he’ll be an option. They have to see how his surgically repaired left knee recovers today.
Wright could replace Heath Hembree in the bullpen, though Cora hasn’t said how he would handle it.
A second chance?
The idea of playing Mookie Betts at second base was taken one step further yesterday, when Betts practiced turning double plays.
He usually takes groundballs in the infield but doesn’t turn two.
The Sox are keeping their options open for the three games in Los Angeles, where J.D. Martinez will play the outfield and either Andrew Benintendi or ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr. would likely be on the bench — unless Betts starts at second.
“The thing is that in the National League, they bunt, and they advance runners,” Cora said. “We’ve got to talk about all this stuff. (Yesterday) he’s going to turn a few double plays. There’s a chance (he’ll play second), but it’s not like he will.
“But we have to be prepared. We have to be prepared. If one day I feel like, yeah, that makes sense, we will do it. But we’ve got some capable guys to play second, and we’ve got some matchups that we have to take a look at.”
Ian Kinsler and Brock Holt have handled second base this postseason.
“I’m just here to win man,” Kinsler said. “It doesn’t matter who plays second or first or pitches or catches. We’re just here to win games.”
Belly laughs
A few of Sale’s teammates were asked about his satirical story that his stomach illness was actually a belly-button ring rash.
“I’m sure that infection of the belly button is almost healed up and we’re confident he’ll be back on the mound,” Steve Pearce said.
Said Kinsler, “Yeah, concerned about it. Hopefully he gets whatever he needs to get to clean that up and be ready to pitch.”
If the Red Sox win the World Series, “I was thinking about a nipple ring,” Kinsler said.
Cora had no comment about Sale’s story but said the ace would be fullgo and ready for Game 1.
Mystery opener
The Dodgers haven’t announced a Game 1 starter yet but they’ve won 12 of their last 16 postseason games in which Clayton Kershaw has pitched.
He threw a scoreless ninth inning to close out Game 7 against the Brewers on Saturday night.
J.D. Martinez (5-for-11, two homers), Eduardo Nunez (2-for-12), Kinsler (1for-2) and Pearce (1-for-2) are the only Sox players who have ever faced him.
“He’s a good pitcher, we don’t expect anything less,” said Pearce. “Right now, the best two teams are in it and they don’t just have Kershaw. They have other good pitchers, too. It’s going to be a dogfight.
“It seems like they have a lot of lefties, so that should be a lot of playing time for me. If I’m not starting the game, I’m sure there will be a time of the game when I’m involved. I’ll be ready from the first pitch on whether I’m starting or not.”
Powerhouse matchup
The Red Sox will by vying for their fourth World Series title in 15 years and ninth in franchise history.
The Dodgers have won six all-time, but none since 1988.
Both franchises have recently been among the best in baseball.
Over the last 10 years: Dodgers are second with 908 wins; Red Sox are fourth with 883.
Over the last 20 years: Red Sox are second with 1,802 wins; Dodgers are fourth with 1,752.
Over the last 30 years: Red Sox are second with 2,694 wins; Dodgers are fourth with 2,643.