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Everything went well for the Red Sox on Sunday, when they clinched their spot in the wild card game and hit home plate seven times to beat the Nationals.
There were issues around second base, however, which could persist.
JD Martinez, who is arguably the club’s second-best hitter behind Rafael Devers, sprained his left ankle on Sunday when he tripped over the sack while running to play right field and is uncertain for the playoffs of a game. Tuesday with the Yankees.
Alex Cora said the DH – who don’t play often on the outfield but have to do so in Washington under National League rules – are in the process of receiving treatment and the Red Sox manager does not yet know his status.
“It just sucks. Weird injury there,” Kyle Schwarber told reporters at Fenway Park on Monday. “Hoping the best he’s able to go out there and play. He’s a essential here for how long now?
Four years, during which he made the all-star team three times and emerged as an intermediate force as a designated hitter. It was Giancarlo Stanton of Boston.
If Martinez can’t go, Schwarber – who played first – could move on to that role, and Boston could have Bobby Dalbec or Travis Shaw as a first step.
Whatever Cora’s game, it would be a downgrade even with Martinez struggling this season against the Yankees, against whom he is down .186. Over the course of that year, the 34-year-old has made 28 home runs and led the league with 42 doubles in another All-Star campaign.
Martinez, an 11-year-old pro, started an average career from 2014, when he revamped his swing and sought (and found) power, which analytical-minded Gerrit Cole enjoys. Martinez has hit Tuesday’s Yankees starter well in his career, posting a 0.375 base percentage with two home runs in 32 appearances at home plate.
“JD is a big hitter and seems like a pretty resilient individual based on his career path to become a big hitter in a big market,” Cole said in Boston. “He’s got magic and he’s got a lot of talent.”
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