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NEW YORK – Alex Cora jokes that he has a three-home-run rule.
No matter the matchup, if you hit the road, you play the next day.
Hitting for the cycle does not count.
One night after becoming the first player in the history of the game in the playoffs, Brock Holt was on the bench against Yankees left-hander Sabathia CC in Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Tuesday night.
Ian Kinsler (3-for-9 this postseason) was second at Holt (4-for-6).
"It was not that hard, this decision," Cora said. "I know he's swinging the bat and I know what he did yesterday, but this is a different game and we feel this is the best way we have to go against him. And they understand that.
"Like this, it's like, 'this guy's nuts.' Like, 'what's it doing?' But it's just like, 'yeah, there's a reason we're doing this and that's what matters I get it. I understand why people might be asking why he's not playing Brock or Rafael Devers, but at the same time, that guy Sabathia, he's pretty tough on the bottom line. "
Sabathia has held left-handed hitters to a .180 average and .679 OPS this season while righties hit .264 with a .732 OPS.
But Cora has gone against the platoon advantages before. Why not this time?
"It's more about the guy on the mound," Cora said. "He's been great against the parties. The way we see it, we get it early with the righties we have to grind with the righties through five innings. Obviously, they're going to be all-in with the game. The way (Aaron Boone) has been managing, seems like (lefties) Zach Britton and Aroldis Chapman are his late guys. Might get right in between and we'll go to our options. But we had to take our best shots with the righties in the lineup. "
Dating back to Sept. 11, Holt is 21-for-47 (.447) with four double, one triple and five home runs in 15 games including the postseason. Of all players with at least 40 at-bats since then, Holt's average is by far the highest. In comparison, likely National League MVP Christian Yelich is hitting .397 in 68 at-bats over that span.
Perhaps the Red Sox is believed to be more successful.
"No, I mean, he's in a hot streak," Cora said. "He did not play for 10 days and he still put good at-bats yesterday. In this case, that guy is very tough against the parties. He is. "
Holt took the news well.
"I called him this morning and he's like, 'I know,'" Cora said. "He knew it. I was like, 'yeah, 100 percent.' He was joking. They knew before the game we were going this way. They're ready. "
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David Price was again available in the bullpen for Game 4.
"He's in the equation," Cora said. "They got a different tonight lineup. Andrew McCutchen and Miguel Andujar off the bench. We have to see where we match up. It's a different lineup and we're going to be there, so we're looking for the matchups and go from there. "
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Christian Vazquez got the start, his second straight start over Sandy Leon.
Vazquez had not caught Rick Porcello since the 2017 postseason.
"Christian, the last month has been great," Cora said. "Really, really good behind the plate with pitches, blocking balls, throwing people out, sticking with the game plan defensively. I feel like it's enough (on Monday) putting the ball in play, with the hit and run, the competitive at-bats. We feel comfortable with him. "
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Mitch Moreland was again on the bench with soreness hamstring, though Cora said he was available off the bench. Tzu-Wei Lin is working with the team in Moreland.
Nathan Eovaldi, who threw up 97 pitches in seven strong innings on Monday, but Cora would not rule it out. He's had Tommy John surgery twice and the Sox want to be careful with him.
MLB announced the times for the A.L. Champion Series between the Sox Gold Yankees and the Houston Astros on TBS. Game 1 will be on Saturday at 8:09 pm ET and Game 2 will be Sunday at 7:09 pm ET. The Patriots play the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 pm ET.
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