MARTINEZ POWERS RED SOX WITH MORE THAN HOME RUNS

LOS ANGELES (AP) >> It is fitting that one of the storylines before a World Series game at Dodger Stadium would revolve around the health of a top-hitting outfielder, and the intrigue about whether he’d be able to play.

Only this time, unlike many years ago, it doesn’t involve a Dodgers player.

The Boston Red Sox might not know until close to the first pitch whether J.D. Martinez will be able to start Game 3 on Friday night.

The slugger rolled his right ankle while rounding second base on a double in the opener. He showed the effects of the injury the next day while trying to run, but still delivered a goahead, two-run single that sent the Red Sox to victory and a 2-0 lead over Los Angeles.

Martinez said after the win that he expected to play. But manager Alex Cora said on Thursday that it would likely be a gametime decision after Martinez receives more treatment.

“It looked bad early in the game but then it seemed like it was moving better towards the end,” Cora said.

The similarities between Martinez and former Dodgers slugger Kirk Gibson, whose pinch-hit home run 30 years ago against Oakland in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium is a part of World Series lore, aren’t confined to health.

Like Gibson, Martinez is in his first season on a team that

DAVID J. PHILLIP - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Boston Red Sox’s Eduardo Nunez celebrates with J.D. Martinez, left, after hitting a three-run home run during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston.

DAVID J. PHILLIP - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez hits a two run RBI single during the fifth inning of Game 2 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in Boston.