Cora: There's a chance Betts plays 2B for Red Sox during World Series
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora might put the versatility of Mookie Betts to good use during the World Series.
Cora said there's a chance Boston's MVP candidate could play second base during the World Series when things shift to a National League park.
"I don't know man, he already played second during the regular season. There's always a chance, I guess," the manager said, according to Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston.
The 26-year-old will take ground balls at second during workouts on Saturday, Cora said, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo.
"(Mookie Betts) feels that he's great at second," Cora explained to reporters, including Chris Mason of The Eagle-Tribune. "I don't know. I never saw it. If you ask him, he's like 'I'm great.' If you ask Pedroia, then he'll say, 'He sucked.'"
Betts, widely considered one of the top defensive outfielders in baseball, normally plays right field for the Red Sox.
Outfield Defense
| RANK | PLAYER | TEAM | INN | DRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JaCoby Jones | DET | 1010.1 | 21 |
| 2 | Lorenzo Cain | MIL | 1180 | 20 |
| 3 | Mookie Betts | BOS | 1112 | 20 |
Shifting him to second would allow Andrew Benintendi, J.D. Martinez, and American League Championship Series MVP Jackie Bradley Jr. to slot into the lineup.
Cora said Saturday one way or another Martinez will play.
If Betts were to play second, one of Ian Kinsler or Brock Holt would likely sit.
Betts has appeared in 15 games at second since his big-league debut, but played most of his early minor-league career at the position.