Betts could play second base for Boston in Series

BOSTON — With a championship at stake, MVP favorite Mookie Betts is ready to do anything manager Alex Cora asks.

Even if that means dusting off his infielder’s mitt.

Cora said Saturday he may use the Gold Glove Awardwinning right fielder at second base during the World Series, a move that would make space for slugger J.D. Martinez when the series shifts to an NL park.

Martinez has two homers and nine RBIs as Boston’s designated hitter this postseason, and when Boston loses the DH for games either at Los Angeles or Milwaukee, Cora has to find space for him on the field. His best position is right field, but that’s also where Betts has played while winning two straight Gold Gloves.

So Betts may be moving to the dirt.

“A.C. has never steered us wrong,” Betts said. “Naturally, if he trusts me then I should believe in myself. That’s what it takes to win. I’ll do whatever.”

Betts was a second baseman throughout his minor league career and played 14 games there as a rookie in 2014, relieving an injured Dustin Pedroia. He also played second for six innings against the Yankees on Aug. 3 after Ian Kinsler was hurt.

He takes grounders before games during the regular season and was at the keystone for some work Saturday when Boston practiced at Fenway Park.

Among the advantages to moving Betts to second: it could help keep ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr. in the lineup. Kinsler and Brock Holt would likely go to the bench with Betts at second. MLB PLAYOFFS Red Sox ace Sale to start Game 1

Boston ace Chris Sale will start Tuesday’s World Series opener and David Price probably will follow in Game 2, Cora told WEEI radio.

Sale and Price also started the first two games of both the AL Division Series and AL Championship Series. Cora has yet to decide on starters in Games 3 and 4.