Mookie Betts. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- First two games of the World Series are at Fenway, starting tomorrow. American League MVP favorite Mookie Betts will play his usual right field, but don't be surprised if Alex Cora shifts him elsewhere when the Red Sox and Dodgers head to Los Angeles.
"He already played second in the regular season, so there's always a chance, I guess," Cora said.
There's no designated hitter in National League ballparks, and the manager has to make room for J.D. Martinez's bat. He can play the outfield, and Betts did play six innings at second earlier this year. But, before that, not since 14 games in 2014.
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"I was just joking with him, I was like, there's a reason you're the right fielder," Cora said. "He feels that he's great at second. I don't know, I never saw it. If you ask Pedroia, then he'll say, he sucked! There's a lot that goes into it. We've got some pretty good second basemen, we've got some good outfielders. We're in the World Series, conversation was gonna come up. One thing's 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."
Alex, any concern about Betts getting exposed by aggressive runners at second and potentially getting hurt?
"That, and turning double plays in a big moment, and him not playing second base in a while, and him being the best right fielder in the league," Cora said. "All that stuff comes into consideration."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports