Encarnacion could be back soon for Indians

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is hoping to play again this postseason after spraining his right ankle during a frightening moment in Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees.

Encarnacion was trying to get back to second base on a line drive and jammed his foot into the bag.

“I don’t know if remarkably better is a good word, but pretty close,” Indians manager Terry Francona said Saturday. “He’s doing much better today.”

Francona said Encarnacion probably won’t start Game 3 on Sunday at Yankee Stadium as the Indians try for a sweep. He hasn’t been ruled out despite using crutches and wearing a boot during a day off Saturday.

Michael Brantley will sub for Encarnacion as DH. Cleveland leads the best-of-five series 2-0 after a winning 9-8 in 13 innings Friday.

Right-hander Carlos Carrasco will make his postseason debut for Cleveland; Masahiro Tanaka goes for New York.

Red Sox-Astros: A year after losing in David Ortiz’s final game and being eliminated 3-0 by the Indians in the AL Division Series, Boston returns to Fenway Park again on the cusp of an early postseason exit. The Astros picked apart Boston’s top two pitchers in Games 1 and 2 for a pair of 8-2 wins in Houston.

Brad Peacock starts for the Astros. Doug Fister, a June waiver signee who got into the rotation only because of injuries, goes for the Red Sox.