BOSTON (AP) – With a championship at stake, MVP favorite Mookie Betts 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 in 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 you've played Gold Gloves.

So Betts can 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.

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 is a possibility, but not a certainty.

"I do not know, man," Cora said. "He's already playing second during the season So, there's always a chance, I guess."

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

Saturday, February 9th, 2009 at 9:00 pm Saturday, February 9th, 2008 at 9:00 pm When Boston practiced at Fenway Park.

"It's not gonna change," Cora said. "But obviously we'll see who we play and matchups."

Among the advantages to moving 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 is better and we'll make decisions accordingly."

Betts drew positive reviews as an infielder in the minor leagues, but he only played 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 Kinsler.

"I was just joking with him there's a reason he's right fielder," Cora said. "He feels good at second I do not know I do not know I do not know it, I'm great."

BELLY ITCHER?

Chris Sale has resumed throwing and says he's ready to pitch Game 1 of the World Series after missing an ALCS start and being hospitalized with an illness. Sale threw has a bullpen session Saturday and said he will go through his normal routine before taking the mound at Fenway Park for Tuesday's opener.

First, though, the ace left-hander had some fun with reporters when asked about the topic, saying it was caused by irritation from a belly-button ring.

Although Sale remained dead during the comment, it has not been observed with a pierced navel.

Sale 5 of the ALCS was first sliced ​​to the pitch.

Sale of the game for the first time in the World Series.

"We're gonna grind like hell and give it everything we've got," he said.

NO MORE TIPPING

Craig Kimbrel: The All-Star is no longer tipping his pitches.

Cora suspects both the Yankees and Astros picked up on something in Kimbrel's routine that was revealing which pitch was coming this postseason.

Kimbrel has been one of the most successful of these postseason, but he has been struggling to control his fastball, surrendering six hits and five walks.

Kimbrel was on the mound at the end of Game 4 of the ALCS when left fielder Andrew Benintendi came up with diving with the basics loaded for the final out to help the Red Sox escape with an 8-6 victory over the Astros.

Cora later got a text from Eric Gagne, a good friend and Cora's teammate when both played for the Red Sox in 2007, alerting him of Kimbrel's possible tipping.

"Too bad that it was so long." But it was figured out, "Cora said. "I've got a lot of friends around the league."

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