Betts could play second for Boston in World Series

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 Award-winning 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.”

Boston was set to learn its World Series opponent Saturday night when the Dodgers and Brewers played Game 7 of the NL Championship Series, and that will influence how Cora stacks his lineup for Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary. Betts at second is a possibility, but not a certainty.

“I don’t know, man,” Cora said. “He already played second during the regular season. So, there’s always a chance, I guess.”

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.

“He’ll take ground balls as always. That’s not gonna change,” Cora said. “But obviously we’ll see who we play and matchups.”

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.

“We’ve got some pretty good second basemen, we’ve got some pretty good outfielders,” Cora said. “We’re in the World Series. That conversation was gonna come up. One thing for sure, J.D. will play. That’s clear. We’ll see which alignment is better, which lineup is better and we’ll make decisions accordingly.”

Betts drew positive reviews as an infielder in the minor leagues, but he’s only played 128 innings there as a major leaguer. Cora has never seen him play the position in person — he was ejected from the Aug. 3 game against the Yankees before Betts replaced Kinsler.

“I was just joking with him that there’s a reason he’s the right fielder,” Cora said. “He feels he’s good at second. I don’t know. I never saw it. If you asked him he’ll say, ‘I’m great.’”