Cora, Red Sox face Astros again
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora was already counting on a rematch with his former team even before the Houston Astros advanced to their fifth straight AL Championship Series.
“He told me [Monday], ‘See you soon,’ ” Houston star Carlos Correa said.
The Astros assured their place the next day, closing out the White Sox in Game 4 of the Division Series.
Now that this matchup is set and will begin Friday night, Cora, the former Houston bench coach, will look to take down the Astros in the ALCS for the second time in four years after beating them to a World Series title in 2018.
“I’m enjoying the groove,” Cora said. “I think honestly, as a team, we’re clicking at the right time … and it doesn’t matter how you get here, it just matters what you do from here on and we’re prepared for it.”
The red-hot Red Sox beat the Yankees in the wildcard game and earned a trip to Houston by upsetting the 100-win Rays 3-1 in a wild division series, featuring a 13-inning win in Game 3 and a walk-off victory in Game 4.
Cora helped Houston win the 2017 World Series as bench coach, then managed Boston to the 2018 championship after disposing of the Astros. He was let go by the Red Sox following Major League Baseball’s investigation into Houston’s sign-stealing scheme, then suspended by MLB through the 2020 postseason before getting rehired in Boston last November.
Asked about the reception the Astros might get from the crowd when the series shifts to Boston for Game 3 on Monday, Cora admitted that it feels weird when they’re heckled since he was involved with the cheating. He doesn’t feel like the scandal is in the past because he lives with it every day.
“I’m sorry, I made a mistake and I’m living it,” he said. “It’s uncomfortable because I know that when they get booed or they scream at them, I’m there. I was part of it.”
Houston is the third MLB team to reach the league championship series five consecutive seasons — after the Braves (1995-99) and Athletics (1971-75).
The biggest question of the series is the status of Houston ace Lance McCullers Jr. The righthander was masterful in a Game 1 win in the ALDS, pitching scoreless ball into the seventh. But he left Game 4 after four innings with tightness in his right forearm and was still being evaluated Thursday as the Astros determine his availability for the series.
“He did go for an MRI, just precautionary to make sure everything’s OK in there,” general manager James Click said. “So, we’re waiting for those images to be reviewed and getting examination on him, and we’ll see where that goes.”
With McCullers out, the Astros will start Framber Valdez in Game 1 against Chris Sale. Game 2 in Houston on Saturday features Astros rookie Luis Garcia against Nathan Eovaldi.
ELSEWHERE
Yankees: More than a week after they were booted from the postseason by the Red Sox, New York informed hitting coaches Marcus Thames and P.J. Pilittere, along with third base coach Phil Nevin, that they would not have their contracts renewed for 2022. There is still no decision on Aaron Boone, the team’s manager for the past four years, whose contract will officially expire after the World Series.
Cardinals: In a stunning move less than a week after he guided St. Louis to the postseason for the third consecutive season, the Cardinals have fired manager Mike Shildt. John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations, said the move was made due to “philosophical differences.”
Obituary: Ray Fosse,
the strong-armed catcher whose career was upended when he was bowled over by Pete Rose at the 1970 All-Star Game, has died. He was 74. Carol Fosse,
his wife of 51 years, said in a statement online Fosse died Wednesday after a 16-year bout with cancer.