Price gets nod for Game 2

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said David Price will start Game 2 of the AL Championship Series against Houston despite an unprecedented history of playoff struggles.

Speaking on MLB Network radio Wednesday, a day after the Red Sox eliminated the New York Yankees from the divisional round, Cora said he plans to use Chris Sale in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series. The first-year manager said Price is still in line to start Game 2.

Price started and lost the only Red Sox defeat in the first round, getting just five outs against the Yankees. In his career, he is 0-9 in 10 postseason starts. Price’s teams have lost all 10 of his starts, the longest such skid for a pitcher in postseason history.

Nathan Eovaldi and 2016 Cy Young winner Rick Porcello are expected to start Games 3 and 4.

Correa’s aching back

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa says he is in pain. Every swing and miss hurts his aching back, and on the bad days it can even be uncomfortable to walk.

Correa often puts on a brave face but told the Associated Press he is hurting as the Astros prepare to leave for Boston and the best-ofseven AL Championship Series that begins Saturday.

Correa returned from a sixweek stint on the disabled list on Aug. 10 and declared that he was better. But he has struggled to regain his top form. He hit just .180 in the second half of the season and managed a single hit in an ALDS.