The Boston Red Sox Tuesday, October 16, 2018

* The Boston Globe

Dallas Keuchel, Nathan Eovoldi are opposites with same goal in Game 3

Nick Cafardo

HOUSTON — The two teams have beaten each other’s elite pitchers — the Astros beat Chris Sale and the Red Sox beat Gerrit Cole — so now it’s down to the third and fourth starters. Whose will be better? Whose will do the better job of keeping his team in the game?

This is where it gets interesting as the ALCS moves to Minute Maid Park for the next three games starting Tuesday afternoon. (First pitch, 5:09 p.m.)

The Astros will start Dallas Keuchel, while the Red Sox will go with Nathan Eovoldi in Game 3, and we saw what Eovoldi did in Game 3 vs. the Yankees in that amazing 16-1 win. Eovoldi gave Alex Cora seven full innings of excellent work. Imagine a starter lasting seven innings and pitching lights out in a postseason game?

Now the trick is for Eovaldi to repeat that against the Astros. You see, Eovaldi’s DNA is opposite of David Price’s. Eovaldi loves pitching against the Yankees and now he must love pitching against the Astros, his hometown team.

Eovaldi grew up in Alvin, a Houston suburb. If that town sounds familiar, it’s where Nolan Ryan is from. And there are times Eovaldi’s velocity gets up there in Ryan Express territory.

“Yeah, it definitely is very special to me,” said Eovaldi about pitching near his hometown. “Growing up we watched a lot of baseball games here, and then travel ball and stuff we got to play a couple times. It’s real special to me.”

Eovaldi said he got to meet Ryan a few years back when he played for the Yankees.

“I had an opportunity to meet him. And words can’t really describe what it’s like. But he’s done a lot for us and in the community of Alvin. I mean it’s hard shoes to fill, but it’s definitely special to me.”

Eovaldi said he’s a “completely different pitcher” than the one who faced the Astros back on June 20 when he gave up four solo homers while pitching six innings. Alex Bregman posted a video of homering off Eovaldi, which appeared to be a shot at Eovaldi and kind of a cocky move by Bregman. Eovaldi said he throws a lot more cutters now than he did early on.

“I definitely feel it’s gotten the hitters off my fastball and then it’s allowed me to get some earlier contact and go deeper into the games and not have to be so perfect with my fastball,” Eovaldi said about reliance on the cutter. “And I’m able to mix in other pitches along with that and kind of go from there.

“I feel like if I go out there and do my job, attack the zone, get that first-pitch strike, not give up any free bases, no walks, things like that, I feel like that will keep the crowd out of it a little bit. But I know they’re going to be loud here and I feel like with the roof closed and stuff it gets even louder.”

Keuchel, the 2015 American League Cy Young winner, is not a hard thrower but a crafty lefty who has had mixed results against the Red Sox.

The Red Sox touched him up for five runs over six innings back on Sept. 9, including a three-run homer by J.D. Martinez. But if Keuchel gets into a rhythm, forget it, the Sox won’t touch him, which is why hitters have to disrupt him and make him feel uncomfortable from the first inning.

Keuchel beat the Sox in last year’s ALDS with a strong 5⅔ innings (three hits, seven strikesouts). The Astros have won six of his eight postseason starts.

Keuchel is probably the anti-Eovaldi in terms of velocity. Eovaldi can throw up to 102 miles per hour, and Keuchel?

“That’s a good question,” he said. “I think I’m throwing harder this year than I’ve thrown in a while. So I don’t know, maybe 93.”

And after Eovaldi-Keuchel, we’ll likely get Charlie Morton vs. Rick Porcello in Game 4.

What I’ve liked about Porcello is that he looks so confident with a killer instinct on the mound. He’s shown that not only in two eighth-inning relief appearances this postseason, but in his five-inning starting stint in Game 4, the ALDS clincher at Yankee Stadium. If it wasn’t for losing a bit of that mojo in the fifth inning and allowing a run, I’m convinced Porcello could have gone seven outstanding innings in that outing.

Porcello has a bit of Derek Lowe in him in that he has a rubber arm and capable of making these occasional drop-ins in the bullpen. Given Boston’s bullpen status, that’s been a good thing and given how shaky Craig Kimbrel has been, some have credibly wondered aloud whether Porcello should close games. Porcello has been terrific both in stuff and attitude.

Morton, the Connecticut native, is a hard thrower who at age 34 has found himself as one of the better righthanded starters in the league (15-3, 3.13 ERA). Morton, like Eovaldi, will be one of the coveted pitchers in the free agent market, so there’s lots of incentive. This is where the big money is made.

Red Sox hitters also need to be aggressive against Morton and get him into hitter’s counts so they can tee off on his fastball. Morton, who did not get to pitch in the ALDS against Cleveland because the Astros swept the Indians in three games, was a Cora favorite in his year as the Astros bench coach and once said about Morton, “He’s got the best stuff of anyone on our pitching staff.”

Morton was effective in the World Series last season, winning Game 7 by closing out the Dodgers with four innings of two-hit relief.

The elites — Sale, Cole, Justin Verlander, and David Price — will again be in play, but the series will have changed greatly by then, depending on the Nos. 3 and 4 starters.

Chris Sale released from hospital, expected to join Red Sox in Houston

Peter Abraham

HOUSTON — Red Sox ace Chris Sale, who was hospitalized early Sunday morning with a stomach ailment, was discharged on Monday is expected to rejoin the team in Houston on Tuesday.

His status for the remainder of the American League Championship Series is uncertain.

“We’ll see how he feels physically, and then after that we’ll decide what we’re going to do,” manager Alex Cora said.

Sale started Game 1 of the ALCS on Saturday, an erratic performance that lasted four innings. Cora said Sale was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital after the game, at approximately 2 a.m.

“He felt ill right after the game, started throwing up,” Cora said. “And then he decided to go to the hospital, and that was it.”

Cora said the illness was not related to baseball or any medication Sale may have taken related to the shoulder inflammation that twice landed him on the disabled list this season.

“No, not that I know,” Cora said.

Cora said that he was told that it was nothing serious, and that Sale went through a battery of tests.

“He’ll be here [Tuesday], and hopefully physically he’s ready to go, and we’ll decide when he pitches,” Cora said.

All business The Red Sox split a four-game series against the Astros at Minute Maid Park May 30-June 3. It was then when Cora, Houston’s former bench coach, received his World Series ring.

There were mixed emotions at the time. But those have vanished.

“Not anymore,” Cora said. “That was in the regular season. It’s a great place. It’s a great organization. I have a lot of friends over there. But what they want is what I want. This is different; this is playoffs.

“And for how much they quote unquote like me and they care about me, right now it’s the Red Sox against the Astros.

“We will always be linked together because it was a special year last year. Not only on the field but off the field. But now it’s a little bit different. We have a job to do, and they do, too.”

Lineup changes With Houston starting lefthander Dallas Keuchel in Game 3, Cora plans to return Eduardo Nunez to the lineup at third base despite Rafael Devers going 2 for 3 with a walk in Game 3.

Nunez is 2 for 14 in the postseason.

Lefthanded hitters have a .707 OPS against Keuchel, four points higher than righthanded hitters. “Although the numbers look like he’s been getting hit by lefties, you start looking at damage and what we can do offensively, and I think it’s a better matchup for us,” Cora said.

Cora also indicated he planned to start Ian Kinsler at second base and Christian Vazquez behind the plate.

“We’ve got a few matchups that probably late in the game tomorrow we can take advantage of it if they bring the [righthanded relievers] in,” Cora said.

Power outage Andrew Benintendi has not hit a home run since Aug. 31, a span of 27 games and 110 at-bats counting the postseason. He has only two since the All-Star break and 16 overall.

“I don’t really care about home runs, honestly,” Benintendi said. “I’m not going to be a big home run hitter. I think everything else improved compared to last year, except the home run numbers.”

That is true. Benintendi’s OPS rose from .776 to .830, and he had 26 more total bases. That came from having 41 doubles and six triples.

“I think I’d much rather take a higher average with less homers than more home runs and a lower average,” Benintendi said. “Because that’s the kind of player I am. I’m not going to go out and hit 30 or 40 or so.

“I know who I am as a player, and I think this year has been a big step for me compared to last year. So it’s definitely something to build on.”

Holt homecoming Brock Holt, who played one season for Rice University, is happy to be back in Houston.

“I have a lot of friends in the area,” he said. “Obviously went to school here for a year and made some of my closest friends still to this day playing for Rice. It’s a good opportunity for me to come down and play. And every time I come down to Houston I enjoy it. Family and friends get to come, and it just feels like being home.”

Holt has hit .339 with an .878 OPS in 16 regular-season games at Minute Maid Park.

Work it out Despite at 5 a.m. arrival in Houston, the Sox held a workout to get better acquainted with the indoor conditions. The Astros did not work out . . . Holt was asked if the Astros were the toughest team in baseball. “Besides the Boston Red Sox? Yes,” he said. “I feel these two teams are the best in baseball. Obviously, they’re the defending champs. We did what we did in the regular season. But they’re the champs. So they’re the ones everyone’s chasing.” . . . The Astros have 11 home runs in five playoff games; the Red Sox have four in six games. … TBS said Game 2 on Sunday had a 4.1 overnight rating, tops on cable television. Boston was the top local market at 20.6.

Alex Bregman’s Red Sox connections run deep, all the way to Ted Williams

Peter Abraham

HOUSTON — As the Houston Astros were taking batting practice before Game 1 of the American League Championship Series last week, Carlos Correa and George Springer looked out at the lone red seat in right field at Fenway Park and wondered aloud if the old story was true, did Ted Williams really hit a ball that far?

No chance, they agreed.

Alex Bregman, standing a few feet away, smiled. He knew better.

Houston’s star third baseman grew up in a family with a direct connection to Williams and a reverence for the greatest hitter who ever lived.

It goes back to 1968, when the late Stan Bregman, Alex’s grandfather, worked as general counsel for the Washington Senators and negotiated a contract with Williams to manage the team starting in 1969.

Their business relationship became a friendship that lasted until Williams’s death in 2002.

Now Alex is the player the Red Sox are determined won’t beat them. They’ve already walked him six times in the series.

“All my life I’ve heard about Ted Williams,” Bregman said. “My dad used to always tell me I would be the next guy to hit .400 in the big leagues. He grew up loving Ted Williams and passed that down to me.

“When we talked about hitting, we talked about Ted Williams.”

Unlike many players of his generation, the 24-year-old Bregman is a baseball historian. Some of first memories are hearing stories about Williams and other players from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s from his grandfather.

Bregman grew up with an appreciation of the players who came before him and believes that’s a foundation of his talent for the game.

“No doubt,” Bregman said. “Baseball is all I ever knew and the only thing I wanted to do. I’m not saying I hit like Ted Williams, but what he believed about hitting is what I was taught. I’ve watched and read everything I could about him”

Surely Williams would approve of what that all has led to. Bregman hit .286 with a .926 OPS for the Astros this season and was tied for third in the majors with 86 extra-base hits.

Bregman broke a tie in the All-Star Game with a 10th-inning home run off Ross Stripling. That earned him the Ted Williams Trophy as Most Valuable Player.

“Think about that for a second,” said Sam Bregman, Alex’s father. “My family comes from that area, and my son goes back and wins a trophy named after Ted Williams, who was somebody I knew.

“Talk about emotions.”

As a child, Sam had full run of the Senators’ clubhouse at RFK Stadium, tagging along with his father to games.

“My father became pretty close to Ted,” he said. “When I was a kid I would go to the home games and then at the end of each game, my dad would give him a ride home to his apartment oftentimes.

“I’d sit in he back seat and listen to Ted Williams talk. I’d also be down in the locker room hanging out with the greatest hitter of all time. It was pretty unbelievable. I was a kid in a candy store. It was very special. I love the game, and obviously I passed it on.”

In 1998, by then raising a family in New Mexico, Sam Bregman won a raffle for four tickets to a game at Fenway Park and took his family across the country. Alex was 4 at the time, and it was his first major league game.

The Red Sox were playing the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the first base coach was Frank Howard, the former Senators slugger.

“I started yelling, ‘Hey Hondo,’ and he came over,” Sam Bregman said. “I said, ‘You won’t believe who I am. You would have no idea. But 40-something years ago I was sitting on your lap in the clubhouse.’ ”

Howard paused and then said, “Sammy, is that you?”

Howard signed a ball for Alex. The whole day left an impression.

“A great place to watch your first game,” Alex Bregman said. “Fenway Park is unbelievable. Fans are incredible.”

Sam Bregman, an attorney, did not return to Fenway until Saturday for Game 1 of the ALCS. This time he saw his son reach base four times on the same field Williams played on.

“It gives me chills,” he said.

There was a fleeting chance Bregman could have played for the Red Sox. The Sox took him in the 29th round of the 2012 draft out of Albuquerque Academy in the 29th round. But Bregman kept his commitment to play at LSU and in 2015 was the second pick of the draft.

“Honestly, I wanted to sign really bad if it was going to be in the first round. But they didn’t take me in the first round,” Bregman said.

“I basically told them I was going to go to school. It was a big honor to be drafted by them.”

Arizona Diamondbacks senior vice president Amiel Sawdaye, the Red Sox scouting director at the time, said the Sox liked Bregman a lot but knew he was destined for college.

“Alex would have been a first-round pick, but he broke his finger his senior year,” said Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart, a summer-league teammate in New Mexico and a close friend. “He was that good. I’ve never been around anybody who likes baseball as much as he does.”

A 5-foot-10-inch righthanded hitter can’t be compared with Williams, but Bregman approaches the game with the same single-minded ferocity.

“That’s the difference between him and others,” said Sox manager Alex Cora, who as bench coach of the Astros last season found a kindred spirit in Bregman. “He’s always looking to get better, and he’s a baseball rat.

“He eats baseball 24 hours and seven days a week. He has no life, honestly. It’s baseball, baseball, baseball. That’s what I like about him.”

Cora recalled a meeting before the 2017 season when Astros manager A.J. Hinch told Bregman he would be hitting sixth.

“By the end of the season I’m going to hit second here,” Bregman shot back.

That he did, 42 times. Cora also helped turn the former shortstop into an excellent defensive third baseman.

“When it comes to Alex Bregman and Alex Cora, it’s a mutual love affair,” Sam Bregman said. “They adore each other. My Alex has expressed that time and time again. They really bonded. Alex Cora is a stud of a guy, a great baseball mind, and a good, good person.”

Now they are competitors trying to get to the World Series.

“This is what it feels like I should be doing,” Bregman said. “My grandfather wanted this for me. He’d love me playing against the Red Sox, he really would.”

Astros’ Alex Bregman took a little shot at Game 3 starter Nathan Eovaldi

Alex Speier

HOUSTON – Nathan Eovaldi doesn’t spend time on social media and he doesn’t have an Instagram account. Nonetheless, the Red Sox righthander wasn’t oblivious to the arrow fired in his direction by Astros third baseman Alex Bregman in advance of Eovaldi’s Game 3 start in the American League Championship Series.

Bregman’s posted a brief video to his Instagram story on Tuesday that was introduced with the title, “lil pregame video work.” The video featured Astros George Springer, Bregman, and Jose Altuve hitting back- to-back-to-back homers in a June 20 start in Houston in which Eovaldi, then with the Rays, gave up five runs and four homers over six innings in a 5-1 loss to the Astros.

Though Bregman deleted it soon after posting it, the video was captured by a few outlets and circulated quickly, coming to the attention of members of the Red Sox. Those players, in turn, alerted Eovaldi to it.

Eovaldi – who grew up in Alvin, Texas, about 30 miles from where he’ll take the mound at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday – shrugged off the significance of the post, suggesting that it wouldn’t affect his preparation. He also described himself as a “completely different” pitcher now from the one who got hit hard in his start against the Astros in June.

He’s changed his position on the mound to attack different parts of the strike zone and in the process, he’s gone from vulnerable to homers (1.4 homers per nine innings through August) to extreme in avoiding them (he’s allowed none in 27 innings since the start of September). Eovaldi is confident his alterations will allow him to continue that success in Game 3.

“I’m going to try to keep the same approach as I’ve been attacking hitters now and moving forward,” said Eovaldi.

Yet while Eovaldi could view his adjustments as a reason to look past Bregman’s dig, it’s possible the rest of the Red Sox won’t be so quick to dismiss it. In the American League Division Series, the Red Sox didn’t mind using off-the-field taunts by their opponent – in that instance, Aaron Judge playing “New York, New York” on a portable speaker while walking through the concourse of Fenway Park after a Yankees win – to sharpen a competitive edge.

Might the Red Sox find similar fuel for their motivational engine in Bregman’s post? Manager Alex Cora spoke coyly on the topic.

“We don’t know about that. We didn’t know about Judge, and we didn’t know about what Alex did,” Cora said of a player with whom he became – and remains – extremely close from their 2017 season together in Houston, when Cora was the Astros bench coach. “If you need motivation in Game 3 of the ALCS, you better check yourself, because you win three more games you go to the [World Series]. And that’s what should motivate you. Alex has different ways of motivating himself. And . . . whatever. I’ll leave it at that.”

In a way, the post served as a reminder of baseball’s social media era, and the modern form that bulletin- board material gets assembled.

“Welcome to the current generation,” said Astros manager A.J. Hinch. “We have a sport full of great personalities and there’s a fine line. Is it disrespectful? No. We want guys to have their personalities, have their fun, then go out and back it up. If you’re going to put yourself out there you’ve got to back it up a little bit. But this is all in fun banter and competition.”

The Sox tended to agree. Ultimately, the episode will have little bearing on what happens in the series. But the Red Sox wouldn’t mind having an opportunity to revisit it after the ALCS.

“I thought [the post] was good fun . . . I don’t think it will affect the way Nate goes out and pitches,” said Brock Holt. “We saw [the Judge video in the Yankees series] and we knew that if we did what we wanted to do and won the series, we were gonna blast the tune so he could hear it again. It’s just having fun back and forth. I don’t think [Judge] meant anything by it. Same thing with us. We won the series, felt pretty good, and wanted to give a little shot back. We’ll have to think of something where, if this series goes the way we want it, we’ll give Bregman a little shot back.”

Red Sox are not concerned about the number of walks issued in the ALCS

Alex Speier

It’s not an accident that the ALCS games are moving, to paraphrase Dennis Eckersley, at the speed of stink.

One day after the Red Sox set a team record for their most walks in a nine-inning game by issuing 10 free passes in a 7-2 Game 1 loss, the pitchers walked another five Astros in the 7-5 Game 2 victory. As much as walks can be taken as evidence of a deficiency on the part of those who issue them, the Red Sox aren’t about to apologize for what has transpired.

The Astros, of course, carry quick-strike capability up and down the lineup. As Josh Reddick’s homer from the No. 9 spot in the lineup against Brandon Workman in Game 1 attests, virtually all of their players possess the ability to drive the ball out of the park.

Reliever Ryan Brasier raised some eyebrows, but was nonetheless accurate, in claiming that “some of the walks we had [in Game 1] were smart pitching . . . We don’t want to go up there and throw first pitches right down the middle just to get ahead.”

Command and control are two separate pitching traits. Control represents the general ability to pitch in the strike zone; command is pitching to specific spots. The Sox want their pitchers in the postseason to command their pitches to very precise spots, even at the potential expense of control.

The Red Sox are pitching to very specific game plans for the Astros lineup. Manager Alex Cora has talked about the Red Sox’ determination to “pitch to the blue,” referring to the cold zones on scouting heat maps that indicate where opposing hitters struggle, as opposed to the red areas that indicate hot zones where opponents tend to inflict the greatest harm on pitches. To his line of thinking, it’s better to target the blue and, if missing a spot, miss off the plate rather than in an area where Houston’s hitters can send a ball into orbit.

“We’re really good when we keep the ball in the ballpark. I think everybody in the big leagues, when they do that they have a better chance,” said Cora. “We do feel that we get spots that we can attack, and we’re going to get either swings and misses or we’re going to induce them to weak contact. At the same time, if you make mistakes to what we call the red part of the heat map, they’re going to take advantage of it.”

Chris Sale’s four-inning, two-run outing in Game 1 — in which he walked four and hit a batter but only allowed two runs on one hit (a grounder under the glove of Eduardo Nunez) while featuring an arsenal of almost nothing — embodied the stubbornness with which the Red Sox are willing to pitch. David Price similarly showed little remorse for the four walks he issued in Game 2, suggesting he “just missed” his spot on several pitches.

“I’d rather miss where I did as opposed to the middle of the plate,” said Price.

The Sox have also clearly made a decision not to let Alex Bregman beat them. In 10 trips to the plate through two games, the team has walked him six times and hit him once, working to (and off) the edges of the plate against a hitter who has shown a penchant for going deep against just about any caliber of pitcher.

Right now, the team has made a choice: They’d rather risk walks than homers. Their frustration coming out of Game 1 was less with free passes than with the fastballs where Brandon Workman missed over the plate (resulting in a pair of homers that broke open Game 1 in the ninth inning), in situations where the team wanted him to throw breaking balls.

“Everyone can say we had 10 walks, but where were we at that point? We were in the game. We had a chance in the ninth being down one,” said pitching coach Dana LeVangie. “We’ve got two hits on the board. We’re down 3-2, and we have 10 walks and three hit batsman, but we’re making pitches when we have to, getting out of innings, staying in the game. We’re competing to the very end.”

The Red Sox remain committed to proceeding in that fashion moving forward — though it’s worth noting that scheduled Game 3 and Game 4 starters Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello have shown the ability to command their pitches in the strike zone to an exceptional degree thus far, staying out of the red without issuing walks. That’s a combination the Red Sox would love to feature going forward, but so far this series, the team isn’t apologizing for how it’s approached an explosive Astros lineup en route to a split of the first two games of the ALCS.

* The Boston Herald

Red Sox notebook: Out of hospital, Chris Sale’s next step unknown

Jason Mastrodonato

HOUSTON — The Red Sox ace is feeling better, but there’s no plan for when he’ll next pitch.

Chris Sale was released from Massachusetts General Hospital yesterday after spending more than a day there to treat a stomach illness, the details of which have not been released.

Sale was not on the Sox’ charter flight here but is expected to join them sometime today. As for when he’ll throw a baseball next, the team has no idea.

“We need him to get here first and then see how he feels,” manager Alex Cora said. “It’s more than the Red Sox. It’s about the individual. So everything I heard, he should be fine, and it’s a matter of him to show up, and we’ll talk to him and see how he feels physically and go from there.”

Cora said Sale started feeling sick shortly after his start in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday. He began vomiting and went to the hospital early Sunday morning, according to the skipper.

“That’s what I hear,” Cora said. “(Trainer Brad Pearson) texted me about it. When I got to the ballpark (Sunday) they told me he was (at the hospital). Nothing serious. He was going to go through a battery of tests and see what was going on. And thank God it’s nothing that is serious at all. Like I said, he’ll be here (today), and hopefully physically he’s ready to go and we’ll decide when he pitches.”

If Sale stays on normal rest, his next start will be Thursday in Game 5.

The Sox don’t have many options for Game 5 if Sale is unavailable. David Price would have to pitch on short rest, or Eduardo Rodriguez could start, though he hasn’t thrown more than 44 pitches since Sept. 20.

Stick to script

Rafael Devers did everything he could to prove he’s deserving of another start at third base in this series, but the Sox will continue to play the matchups.

Even after Devers’ 2-for-4 Game 2 in which he made a pair of splendid plays at third, he’ll be on the bench for Game 3 in favor of Eduardo Nunez.

Cora wants the right-handed bat against lefty Dallas Keuchel, who actually has reverse splits and was hit better by left-handed batters (.281, .707 OPS) than righties (.259, .703) this season.

“(Devers is) doing well. He’s done a good job with Dallas,” Cora said. “Although the numbers look like he’s been getting hit by lefties, you start looking at damage and what we can do offensively, and I think it’s a better matchup.”

Cora said he’ll probably use the same lineup as Game 4 against the Yankees’ CC Sabathia in New York, meaning Ian Kinsler should start at second and Christian Vazquez behind the plate.

Ancient history

The last time the Astros faced Sox Game 3 starter Nathan Eovaldi, they hit four solo homers off him in a 5- 1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 20. Eovaldi was making just his fifth start of the year after a long layoff because of Tommy John surgery.

“I feel I’m a completely different pitcher. I’m attacking it a lot differently now,” Eovaldi said.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch warned that his team shouldn’t get too confident against Eovaldi, who threw one of the best postseason starts of the year when he held the Yankees to one run in seven innings in the ALDS.

“On the homers with Eovaldi, I think the only hits we got were homers,” Hinch said. “We need to find a way to mix in a single or two or a couple doubles. And if we leave the yard, all the better.”

Dinged DP combo

The Astros are beat up.

Shortstop Carlos Correa has been on base four times this series, though he’s playing with a back injury that’s severely limited him for most of the season.

And second baseman Jose Altuve has a knee injury that appeared to be hampering him around the bases in the ninth inning of Game 2. Altuve has been on base three times this series with no extra-base hits.

“He’s doing his best,” Hinch said. “It’s not comfortable for him. I know he’s, what we call grinding and battling and doing everything that he can. I’m considering DHing him.”

Hitless damage

MVP candidate Alex Bregman has been on base seven times, six via walk and once on a hit by pitch, though he’s been held hitless.

“We still are attacking him the way we feel,” Cora said. “And I’m not saying so far, so good, but there’s not too much damage done from that spot right now.”

Hinch said the challenge for Bregman is “not to adjust. ... You can tell they’re going to pitch him carefully. I don’t blame them. Their game plan is smart. He’s a guy that can do a ton of damage.” . . .

Dennis Eckersley wished Kirk Gibson a happy 30th anniversary via Twitter yesterday.

On Oct. 15, 1988, Gibson, playing on two bad legs, famously hit a two-run walkoff homer against Eckersley to give the Dodgers a 5-4 win against the A’s in Game 1 of the World Series.

“Great moment for you and baseball,” Eckersley wrote.

No harm, no foul on Red Sox, Astros 'trolling'

Michael Silverman

HOUSTON – Don't @ me, but I thought it was pretty funny on Monday when Alex Bregman trolled the Red Sox with an Instagram video of the Astros hitting back-to-back-to-back homers back in June off Tuesday night's Game 3 Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi.

“lil pregame video work” he captioned it before taking it down.

And when Aaron Judge strolled past the Red Sox clubhouse at Fenway Park after the Yankees' Game 2 win in the Division series, his boom box blaring “New York, New York” – that's harmless, high-grade, silly trash talk.

None of this has too much to do with who will wind up on top at the end of what's shaping up to be a phenomenal ALCS but as off-day storylines go, it's worth following because it has everything to do with growing the game of baseball off the field as well as on it. And if you think these gestures are a problem or disrespectful to the game somehow, I'd wager you also have a problem with bat-flips after a home run, slow home run trots, hip wiggles after an extra-base hit, crooked baseball caps and any kind of on-field display of exuberance that express, heaven forbid, joy and fun while playing a game. Baseball has enough issues trying to attract young eyeballs to its fan base that it would be a shame and a step backwards for the “Make Baseball Great Again” gang to gain any new followers because of what Bregman and Judge did.

That said, all things being equal, I'm positive manager Alex Cora is greatly relieved that none of his players have instigated – yet – any trolling episodes via social media or amplified music this postseason.

It would be silly to say the Red Sox were motivated by Judge's theme song, but they made sure everybody heard them blaring “New York, New York” while they celebrated their Division Series victory at Yankee Stadium.

When the subject twas broached at Minute Maid Park at Monday's workout, Cora pretended as if it was the first he heard of it.

“I have no idea – from Alex?,” said Cora. “No, no.”

Cora and Bregman were and are close from Cora's season with the Astros as their bench coach last year. He is a huge fan of Bregman's, and has said he is the closest thing he has ever seen to Dustin Pedroia, an idol of Cora when it comes to intensity, confidence, drive and talent. That's the highest form of praise you can get from Cora, yet he got in a not so subtle dig on Bregman when asked about it.

“Like I said a few days ago, if you need motivation in Game 3 of the ALCS, you better check yourself, because you win three more games you go to the show,” said Cora. “And that's what should motivate you. Alex has different ways of motivating himself. And whatever. I'll leave it at that.”

Blake Swihart, who grew up with Bregman in Albuquerque, N.M., said the post got the players' attention.

"To me, in his mind, he's probably thinking he's trying to pump up his team, get everyone excited. It might have come off the wrong way. I know he deleted it now," Swihart said. "We're already pumped up, ready to go, ready to play. It gives us a little fire."

Cora has spoken often of how much he enjoys seeing players letting their personalities shine on the baseball field – to smile and to laugh when there's something worth celebrating.

So, stepping back from the specific Bregman episode, Cora seemed to agree that this was a no harm, no foul situation.

“People are paying attention, you know?” said Cora. “Like the Judge thing was in every sports show, which is cool, I think. Like, we need more people to talk about the game. I mean, we're in a great time to be a baseball fan. I've been saying that the whole season. You look at those two teams, you know, it's like, wow. I've been talking about talent. Alex Bregman is one of the best players in the big leagues. And now -- well, they're talking for, not for the right reasons, but they're talking about it. And I think it's cool.

“It's always good that people talk about the game. And if that's the reason they're talking about it, so be it.”

Astros manager A.J. Hinch was asked about it, and before answering it he noted

“that's the first question I've ever had in my career that had the word 'trolling' in it.”

He went on.

“It's good – welcome to the current generation,” said Hinch. “Obviously there's fun banter. You go back and you hear the 'New York, New York' and the Boston (response) in the New York series. You get the different tweets and the different Instagram posts and it's all in good fun. And we have a sport full of great personalities and there's a fine line. Is it disrespectful? No. If it crosses a line, if you have to question whether it crosses the line it probably does.”

Cora admitted that if he saw what Bregman posted when he was a player – Instagram began in 2010, a year before Cora retired – “I would be, like, 'here we go,' like whatever. But I don't throw a ball. I don't have to hit. I don't make errors anymore. I just manage a team. And I don't get caught up on that.”

The Red Sox won't either. At least not until the series is over. And if they happen to win, you better expect there will be some “lil postgame video work” mention on somebody's Instagram.

Maybe even the Red Sox' account.

* The Providence Journal

Boston’s Eovaldi fights homey feeling in Houston

Bill Koch

HOUSTON — Nathan Eovaldi doesn’t make a habit of seeking familiar faces in the crowd on nights he pitches.

The Red Sox right-hander tends to his business quietly, going through his normal routine regardless of circumstances. Look no further than his Game 3 performance against New York in the American League Division Series, seven innings of dominance in the labyrinth that is Yankee Stadium to help Boston turn the matchup in its favor.

Tuesday evening at Minute Maid Park could present the one set of stimuli capable of ruffling Eovaldi’s feathers. The most famous product of his nearby hometown is likely to be sitting in the front row behind the backstop, watching his every move in Game 3 of the A.L. Championship Series against the Astros.

Nolan Ryan has defined the last half-century of pitchers hailing from the state, a native of the Houston suburb of Alvin. Look no further than former Red Sox right-handers Josh Beckett, former Cubs right- hander Kerry Wood or countless others as the textbook examples of the mythical power arms hailing from the Lone Star State. Eovaldi’s second career postseason start is another critical one, as Boston attempts to take the lead in a series knotted at 1-1.

“I’m so focused on the game — locking in on the catcher and things like that,” Eovaldi said. “And I feel that would take my attention away from everything if I’m scanning the crowds.”

Eovaldi scattered five hits, struck out five against no walks and generally blistered the Yankees’ vaunted lineup in a 16-1 thrashing. He hit or exceeded 100 mph on seven of his 97 pitches, throwing 72 for strikes. The Red Sox offense had plenty of chances to back Eovaldi early and often, running away with the game and the momentum in the best-of-5 series.

“He was big for us down the stretch and just a guy that we have all the confidence in the world in whenever he’s on the mound,” said Brock Holt, who led the Boston attack that night in the Bronx with the first cycle in postseason history. “The stuff that he has is top notch. There’s not many guys who can throw a baseball like he can.”

Something similar could be said of Ryan, a 27-year veteran who retired at age 46. He still holds career Major League Baseball records with 5,714 strikeouts, seven no-hitters and just 6.6 hits allowed per nine innings. Ryan also fit the stereotype of the steely-eyed gunslinger lording over a town in an old Western movie, as Robin Ventura can attest after charging the mound and being pummeled in their famous 1993 fight.

“When I was with the Yankees [in 2015-16], I had an opportunity to meet him,” Eovaldi said. “And words can’t really describe what it’s like. He’s done a lot for us and the community of Alvin.”

Eovaldi and Holt are two of four Texas natives on Boston’s 25-man roster for this series, with relief pitchers Ryan Brasier and Brandon Workman rounding out the local contingent. Holt starred in the college ranks at Rice under legendary coach Wayne Graham and Workman was gifted enough to be recruited by the University of Texas, the state’s flagship athletic school.

“I’m ready to be back in Texas,” Brasier said following Boston’s 7-5 victory in Sunday’s Game 2. “I’m going to have a lot of friends and family at the game, so it’s going to be fun.”

Holt was the lone member of the quartet to make last season’s ALDS roster against Houston, and the Red Sox lost the first two games here to fall into an inescapable hole. The Astros ultimately wrapped up the series in four games on their way to a first World Series crown.

“I think everyone believes that we’re good and that we can do this thing,” Holt said. “I think as a whole there’s just a lot more confidence coming in here this time.”

Red Sox Journal: Sale’s starting status unresolved for now

Bill Koch

HOUSTON — Chris Sale was discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday afternoon.

The Red Sox left-hander reported a stomach ailment following his Saturday start against the Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Sale was admitted and kept overnight for observation, missing the team charter that departed after Sunday’s 7-5 victory over Houston in Game 2. He’s scheduled to rejoin the club here at Minute Maid Park for Tuesday evening’s Game 3.

“We’ll see how he feels physically,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “Then, after that, we’ll decide what we’re going to do.”

Sale’s next scheduled start is Thursday’s Game 5, one that could find Boston either playing for its postseason future or attempting to clinch a berth in the World Series. The Red Sox and Astros are knotted at 1-1 as the series pivots to the home of the defending world champions for three straight.

“I think we’re all more concerned for his personal well-being and not necessarily the team,” Boston outfielder Mookie Betts said. “To know that he’s OK is definitely huge. The fact that he’s going to pitch Game 5 or whatever game is even better.”

Sale pitched just four innings in a 7-2 defeat on Saturday, lacking his trademark command and overpowering fastball. He topped out at 96 mph on the Fenway Park radar gun and made a mess in the second inning by walking two men and hitting a batter. Cora said Sale began feeling sick in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“We need to get him here first and then see how he feels,” Cora said. “It’s more than the Red Sox. It’s about the individual.”

Nathan Eovaldi is scheduled to start on Tuesday for Boston and Rick Porcello would be in line to take the ball for Wednesday’s Game 4. Both teams will get an off day on Friday if the series is still ongoing, presenting Cora with an opportunity to use his bullpen liberally either without Sale or behind him. The Red Sox are carrying just 11 pitchers for the ALCS, but Eduardo Rodriguez could provide multiple innings in relief.

Kimbrel struggles

This kind of stretch isn’t unprecedented during Craig Kimbrel’s time with Boston, but that makes it no less disconcerting.

The Red Sox closer has allowed at least one earned run in all three of his postseason outings in 2018. The latest came in the ninth inning of Game 2, as the Astros’ George Springer and Jose Altuve cracked back-to- back two-out doubles. Alex Bregman flew out to the base of the Green Monster representing the tying run, as Boston hearts were lodged in throats for a few excruciating seconds.

“I’m tired of giving up runs, but it was good to get the win,” Kimbrel said on Sunday. “I’ll go back out there, hopefully, in Game 3.”

Kimbrel surrendered an Aaron Judge homer in Game 1 of the A.L. Division Series, tightening up what was a 5-4 win over the Yankees. His next appearance was even more nerve-racking, as Kimbrel loaded the bases and came just a few feet from allowing a walkoff homer to Gary Sanchez. The Red Sox took the series with a 4-3 victory that was a bit too close for comfort.

“We’ll see,” Cora said. “Hopefully he pitches a lot the next three days. That would be good news for us.”

Kimbrel languished through a stretch earlier this season when he allowed at least one earned run in five of six outings, tagged for an 1.142 OPS. He also allowed at least one earned run in three of his final four appearances in the 2016 regular season, walking six in just three innings.

Probable lineup

Houston’s lone left-hander is scheduled to take the mound on Tuesday, prompting Cora to stick with right- handed matchups in his lineup.

Cora said Eduardo Nunez will start at third base and Ian Kinsler is likely to start at second base. Nunez steps in despite two singles and a walk from Rafael Devers in Game 2 and his own defensive frailties that helped cost Boston Game 1.

“I think tomorrow it will kind of be like when we faced CC [Sabathia] in New York,” Cora said. “Probably the same lineup. And we go from there.”

Nunez is 2-for-4 against Dallas Keuchel in a right-left matchup while Devers has yet to face his fellow left- hander. Kinsler has extensive experience against Keuchel in his career, going 11-for-36 with a double and a home run versus Holt’s 2-for-5.

Christian Vazquez is also likely to draw the start behind the plate. Vazquez caught Eovaldi’s dominant Game 3 outing in New York and then homered the following night to provide the deciding run in Game 4. Sandy Leon remains mired in a 5-for-85 slide at the plate.

* MassLive.com

Rafael Devers' immunity to pressure giving Boston Red Sox a lift in big moments

Matt Vautour

It had been six days since, he'd taken a competitive swing when Rafael Devers stepped into the box against Astros pitcher Gerrit Cole with one out and the bases loaded in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series Sunday at Fenway Park.

After falling behind 0-2, the Boston Red Sox third baseman looked at two balls and then poked an RBI single into left field, burning Houston for employing a shift against him.

It was Devers' first of three times on base in the Red Sox's 7-5 win. The 21-year-old Dominican had two hits, a walk, and scored twice. He added a terrific stop at third base in the sixth inning, further setting him apart from starter Eduardo Nunez, who is 2-for-14 in the postseason as struggled in the field in Game 1.

"It felt good. Even when I'm not in the game, I'm supporting my teammates no matter what," said the baby- faced slugger through a translator. "Today I got the opportunity to play and I felt good out there."

It shouldn't be a surprise. While most of his contemporaries are still in the minors or college, Devers has a growing resume of postseason success. He's 8-for-21 in seven postseason games. He's had multiple hits in four of those seven games.

Devers had 21 home runs, but hit .240 in the regular season. He was 1-for-17 against Houston before the playoffs. But his high points have come from his immunity to nerves in big moments.

He first displayed that in August of 2014, when he belted a game-tying home run off Aroldis Chapman at Yankee Stadium. The shot to left-center was on a 102.8 mph fastball and made him just the second lefty ever to homer off the dominant closer.

Devers had two home runs, including an inside-the-parker, last year in the ALDS against Houston.

"I don't get nervous in those moments. It's the opposite. I get excited to play in those moments and help when I can," Devers said. "You want to be in those moments. Those are moments a lot of guys don't have the chance to have. I get excited at the chance to play in that atmosphere."

His teammates have taken notice.

"It's awesome. He's what 21? I was still in college at 21," reliever Matt Barnes said. "What he's doing on this stage and the way he's playing is definitely impressive."

Andrew Benintendi isn't much older at 24, but Devers' poise has his attention too.

"Even last year he was 20 playing these guys, he had a pretty good series and hit a couple home runs," Benintendi said. "I don't think he's ever been intimidated. He just goes out there and plays. When it comes down to it, the pressure is what you make it. The pitcher still has to throw the ball in the zone."

Mitch Moreland, whose locker is near Devers' in Fenway Park's clubhouse, smiles at the mere mention of Devers.

"He's a kid playing the game. It helps everybody. There's no moment too big. He just goes out there and plays," Moreland said Sunday. "He's going to be a great player. He already is. I can't wait to see what he turns out to be. He's been great so far and came up big again tonight."

Devers will go back to the bench for the start of Game 3 with Alex Cora starting Nunez Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. But Cora had a plan in mind for his young third baseman.

"Rafi is doing a good job" Cora said. "We've got a few matchups that probably late in the game tomorrow we can take advantage of it if they bring the righties and he's locked in."

Matt Barnes left off Boston Red Sox 2017 postseason roster, dominating this October; 'I'm not trying to prove anybody wrong'

Christopher Smith

HOUSTON -- President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and ex-Red Sox manager John Farrell left Matt Barnes off the 2017 ALDS roster after he posted a 5.59 ERA (9.2 innings, six earned runs) during September.

"It was definitely frustrating last year but it's water under the bridge," Barnes told MassLive.com. "We're focused on now. We're in the ALCS trying to make a push. My job is to get outs and give up no runs."

Barnes hasn't given up any runs this postseason. He has pitched 4.2 scoreless and hitless innings. He has allowed three walks and has struck out three.

The righty struggled again during the second half this season. He posted a 7.89 ERA (14.2 innings, 13 earned runs) the final two months. He also dealt with hip inflammation in September. But manager Alex Cora never lost confidence in him. He always said Barnes would be important during the playoffs.

The Red Sox and Astros play Game 3 of their best-of-seven ALCS on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. The series is tied 1-1.

Barnes is not using last year's snub as motivation.

"I don't think about last year," Barnes said. "I'm not trying to prove anybody wrong. I'm going out there just trying to do my job."

The Red Sox bullpen has done its job this October so far.

Barnes and fellow setup man Ryan Brasier both have combined for 9 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. They have scattered seven walks and struck out eight.

Joe Kelly and Heath Hembree, who mainly have pitched with the Red Sox behind or tied, have allowed just one unearned run, two hits and four walks while striking out four in 7.2 innings.

In late September, Barnes told MassLive.com he was "very confident" the Red Sox bullpen could do the job in the postseason. "I don't think anybody in this room has a doubt," he said.

The Red Sox still need seven more wins, but Barnes is right so far.

What made him so confident?

After all, Boston's bullpen posted a 4.84 ERA and 4.52 FIP during September. It recorded a 4.32 ERA and 4.46 FIP during the second half. Boston tied for the second most blown saves (12) in the big leagues during the second half.

"For the majority of the year, we were on the best bullpens in the league," Barnes said. "I still think we finished top five in the league in bullpen ERA. In 162 games, guys are going to struggle. The best players on the planet are going to struggle. We just happened to hit it where everybody kind of struggled at the same time. So it made it look that much worse. If you look down there, there are guys with electric stuff. Everybody's got electric stuff. And we have Craig Kimbrel closing the game in the ninth. Any time you have that in the backend, it makes you even more comfortable.

"We've got guys with playoff experience," Barnes added. "We've got a few guys that have pitched in the World Series. And as a team we've kind of been there the last couple of years. When you go to war with these guys for eight months, you kind of know who they are. You know their character. You know what they're capable of. That kind of confidence never wavered."

Boston Red Sox's Nathan Eovaldi on Game 3 start in hometown of Houston: 'It definitely is very special for me'

Chris Cotillo

HOUSTON -- Though Game 3 of the ALCS is a road game for the Red Sox at Minute Maid Park, starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi should feel right at home.

Eovaldi was born in Houston and attended Alvin High School, located about 30 miles outside of the city. He has made two major-league starts in Houston before, but the atmosphere for those games won't compare to what he'll experience Tuesday afternoon.

"Yeah, it definitely is very special to me," Eovaldi said. "You know, growing up we watched a lot of baseball games here, and then travel ball and stuff we got to play a couple times."

Eovaldi is only the second major-leaguer to come from Alvin High, joining Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The two Alvin alums met in Houston in 2015 when Eovaldi was with the Yankees.

"Words can't really describe what it's like," Eovaldi said. "But he's done a lot for us and in the community of Alvin."

Eovaldi joked Sunday night that he would have "just a few" ticket requests for his second career postseason start. As even-keeled as they come in the majors, the righty isn't likely to be distracted by seeing some familiar faces in the crowd Tuesday.

"I don't really notice people in particular in the stands," Eovaldi said. "I'm so focused on the game -- locking in on the catcher and things like that. And I feel that would take my attention away from everything if I'm scanning the crowds and stuff."

Boston Red Sox ALCS: Eduardo Nunez will start Game 3 at third base

Chris Cotillo

HOUSTON -- Eduardo Nunez will start at third base for the Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALCS, manager Alex Cora announced Monday.

Nunez made two costly defensive mistakes early in Game 1 as the Red Sox fell, 7-2. Rafael Devers got the start in Game 2 against righty Gerrit Cole and went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs.

Nunez's start comes against Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel.

"Although the numbers look like (Keuchel's) been getting hit by lefties, you start looking at damage and what we can do offensively, and I think it's a better matchup for us," Cora said.

Cora also teased hinted that Ian Kinsler and Christian Vazquez would be in Tuesday's lineup.

"I think tomorrow it will be kind of like when we faced C.C. in New York, probably the same lineup," he said.

Nathan Eovaldi, Alex Cora downplay Alex Bregman's Instagram post: 'I don't pay attention to that'

Chris Cotillo

HOUSTON -- Much like how they downplayed Aaron Judge playing "New York, New York" at Fenway Park after Game 2 of the ALDS, the Red Sox wouldn't admit an Instagram video posted by Astros third baseman Alex Bregman was bulletin-board material as the ALCS shifted to Houston.

In a since-deleted Instagram story, Bregman wrote that he was doing "a lil pregame video work" and posted a video in which he, George Springer and Jose Altuve hit back-to-back-to-back homers off Nathan Eovaldi in Houston on June 20. Eovaldi was pitching for the Rays then and is scheduled to start Game 3 for the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Eovaldi said Monday he was aware of the video, adding that it didn't impact him entering his second postseason start.

"No, I still have a job to do," Eovaldi said. "I've got to go out there and pitch my game tomorrow and I can't have any distractions."

Sox manager Alex Cora, who grew close with Bregman during his year as Astros bench coach in 2017, joked that he had no idea about the video.

"If you need motivation in Game 3 of the ALCS, you better check yourself, because you win three more games you go to the show," Cora said. And that's what should motivate you. Alex has different ways of motivating himself. And whatever. I'll leave it at that."

Cora does believe off-the-field storylines like Judge's music choice and Bregman's video work can be beneficial in helping baseball reach a new generation.

"It's always good that people talk about the game," he said. "And if that's the reason they're talking about it, so be it. But from my end, I don't pay attention to that."

Chris Sale illness: Boston Red Sox LHP released from hospital, will re-join team Tuesday

Chris Cotillo

HOUSTON -- Red Sox lefty Chris Sale was released from Mass. General Hospital on Monday morning and will re-join the team in Houston on Tuesday, according to the team.

Sale was admitted to the hospital Sunday with a stomach illness and stayed overnight. While he is likely to start Game 5 in Houston on Thursday, manager Alex Cora said the team will wait to talk to Sale to decide its plan.

"We'll see how he feels physically, and then after that we'll decide what we're going to do," Cora said.

Sale started Game 1 for the Red Sox, which Boston would lose 7-2. Nathan Eovaldi is slated to start Game 3 on Tuesday and Rick Porcello will start Game 4.

* RedSox.com

J.D.: 'Release by Astros made me who I am'

Ian Browne

HOUSTON -- Fittingly, the journey that J.D. Martinez is on as he tries to win a World Series for the first time in his career will take him to Minute Maid Park this week.

Martinez and the Red Sox come to town tied, 1-1, in this American League Championship Series. Games 3 through 5 are in Houston from today through Thursday.

It is back to the old stomping grounds for the masher in the middle of the Boston batting order.

Martinez, who debuted with Houston in 2011, had hoped to play a big role for a then rebuilding Astros franchise, one that was confident it would eventually climb to the top of baseball's mountain.

But Martinez had those hopes taken away coldly on March 22, 2014, when he was released by the club that had drafted and developed him due to a logjam in the outfield.

The Astros did turn into a powerhouse, winning the World Series last year.

Martinez turned into a powerful hitter -- one of the finest and most dangerous in the game. First, he went to Detroit and made a name for himself. Then Martinez became a trade acquisition for the ages with the D- backs last summer. And with the spotlight of Boston on him after signing as a free agent back in February, Martinez has swiftly turned into one of the most impactful acquisitions in Red Sox history.

So in a way, everything worked out for both sides.

Although hindsight is always 20/20, the decision for the Astros to let Martinez go when they did is defensible when you look at the pedestrian numbers he had there. In 975 plate appearances from 2011-13, Martinez slashed .251/.300/.387 with 24 homers and 126 RBIs.

Martinez has made 2,792 regular-season plate appearances since leaving the Astros, slashing .307/.371/.586 with 171 homers and 480 RBIs. The timing was unfortunate for Houston, because Martinez had just started to discover the art of launch angle during the winter before he was released. But his launch party would start in Detroit, before continuing to other destinations.

All of that brings us to this week and Martinez's tantalizing opportunity to stick it to the Astros and stop their path short of a second straight World Series title. To do that, he will have to break out of his early ALCS funk; the right-handed hitter is 0-for-7 with a walk and three strikeouts.

Before Game 2, Astros manager AJ Hinch had called Mookie Betts a ticking time bomb. And there Betts was, breaking out of his postseason rut with a two-double performance later that night. Now it could be Martinez's turn to do the same.

Part of the reason Martinez has the ability to go off and carry the lineup like he has done several times this season is due to the fire the Astros built within him by releasing him at the age of 26.

"I think it made me who I am," Martinez told MLB.com earlier this season. "I've always been hungry, but when people ask what drives you -- 'How do you stay so driven throughout this whole thing?' -- you just don't stop. It's every single day. The people that know me and the people that love me and are in my life see it.

"My brother-in-law came up to me and was like, 'Dude, I admire your life and what you do and everything you do. It's amazing. I wouldn't want it for me. Because the amount of time you spend in this game, the amount of time away from your family, that's stuff you'll never get back.'

"But it's my passion, it's my love, it's what I love to do. To me, that took my [intensity] to another level where when you have something taken away. … It's like the famous expression, you don't realize you love something until it's gone."'

Now it is the baseball that is so often gone when Martinez steps to the plate.

This season, Martinez hit .330 with 43 homers and an MLB-leading 130 RBIs. He bashed a three-run homer to help sink the Yankees in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.

It is likely that Martinez will have something to say about the ALCS before it is over.

But if he does "do damage," as the slogan for this Red Sox postseason drive goes, revenge against his former team won't be what drives him. In a way, Martinez is thankful to the Astros.

"I mean, I learned a lot from Houston. And you know what? It made me who I am and there's really no animosity there," Martinez said. "In a sense, they did me a favor by allowing me to leave and going to play on another team. And if it wasn't for that, I probably wouldn't be here right now. Who knows where I would have been?"

Sale out of hospital, returns to Sox today

Ian Browne

HOUSTON -- Red Sox ace Chris Sale was released from Massachusetts General Hospital and will rejoin the team in Houston for the American League Championship Series today.

Sale was admitted to the hospital on Sunday because of a stomach illness. After a battery of tests, it was determined that Sale doesn't have any serious health issues.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the club will wait until Sale is back with the team to make a definitive determination on when he will pitch again.

Before becoming ill following his start in Saturday night's Game 1, Sale was scheduled to pitch next in Game 5 on Thursday.

"We need him to get here first and then see how he feels," said Cora. "It's more than the Red Sox; it's about the individual. So everything I heard, he should be fine and it's a matter of him showing up and we'll talk to him and see how he feels physically and go from there."

Sale didn't look like himself in Game 1 of the ALCS, walking four and throwing 86 pitches in four innings of two-run ball in the Red Sox's 7-2 loss to the Astros. The Red Sox don't believe that performance was attributed to Sale's illness, which he first mentioned after the game.

The Red Sox didn't have many other details, but they could have more after Sale is back with the team.

"It's just his stomach," Cora said. "That's it. He felt ill right after the game, started throwing up. And then he decided to go to the hospital and that was it."

In the second half of the season, Sale suffered mild inflammation in his left shoulder and pitched just 17 innings from July 28 until the start of the playoffs. Could Sale have taken some medication for his shoulder that led to whatever caused his stomach discomfort?

"No, not that I know of," said Cora.

What was the timeline of when Sale went to the hospital?

"I think it was probably in the morning, like I want to say 2 in the morning, 3 in the morning," Cora said. "That's what I hear. When I got to the ballpark -- actually, [trainer] Brad [Pearson] texted me about it. When I got to the ballpark they told me he was there. Nothing serious.

"He was going to go through a battery of tests and see what was going on. And thank God it's nothing that is serious at all. Like I said, he'll be here tomorrow, and hopefully physically he's ready to go and we'll decide when he pitches."

Distractions not swaying Eovaldi from G3 task

Ian Browne

HOUSTON -- Nathan Eovaldi will be pitching in the comforts of the city he was born in when he takes the ball for the Red Sox in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

"Yeah, it definitely is very special to me," said Eovaldi. "You know, growing up we watched a lot of baseball games here, and then travel ball and stuff we got to play a couple times. It's real special to me."

But Eovaldi didn't feel so special the last time he pitched in Houston. That was back on June 20 with the Rays, when he gave up back-to-back-to back homers to Houston's star-studded trio of Alex Bregman, George Springer and Jose Altuve en route to a 5-1 loss.

Bregman actually posted a video of that barrage on Instagram on Monday, and it went viral, as things do this time of year.

Eovaldi heard about it, but he didn't even raise an eyebrow. To anyone who knows his personality, that's not surprising.

"I don't have any social media or anything like that," said Eovaldi. "The guys have told me about it. I think home run clips, right? Something like that. Yeah, I'm aware of it."

Any added motivation?

"No, I still have a job to do," said Eovaldi. "I've got to go out there and pitch my game tomorrow, and I can't have any distractions."

Eovaldi proved his steely-eyed focus in the last round, when he silenced a rowdy Yankee Stadium and shut down New York's potent bats amid a brilliant performance (seven innings, five hits, one run, no walks, five strikeouts) that led the Red Sox to a 16-1 victory in Game 3 of the AL Division Series.

That atmosphere should help Eovaldi prepare for his return to Houston. The Red Sox still remember how loud the fans were at Minute Maid Park during last year's ALDS loss to the Astros.

"Yeah, I mean, pitching out there in Yankee Stadium, they're a loud crowd as well," said Eovaldi. "And I feel like if I go out there and do my job, attack the zone, get that first-pitch strike, not give up any free bases, no walks, things like that, I feel like that will keep the crowd out of it a little bit."

One of the spectators in that packed house will be one of Eovaldi's idols. The flamethrowing righty grew up in Alvin, Texas, the hometown of a legendary fireballer named Nolan Ryan.

"When I was with the Yankees I had an opportunity to meet him," said Eovaldi. "And words can't really describe what it's like. But he's done a lot for us and in the community of Alvin."

If Eovaldi looked hard enough, he would probably be able to see Ryan sitting right behind home plate in Game 3. But you can be sure Eovaldi won't be looking at much aside from the target of his catcher.

"I don't really notice him in the stands. I don't really notice people in particular in the stands," Eovaldi said. "I'm so focused on the game -- locking in on the catcher and things like that. And I feel that would take my attention away from everything if I'm scanning the crowds and stuff."

Nunez back to third Though Rafael Devers has swung the bat well both times he's started in this postseason, Red Sox manager Alex Cora will go back to Eduardo Nunez at third base in Game 3. Nunez had a couple of costly misplays in the field in Boston's loss in Game 1. The reason Nunez is starting is because the Astros are pitching lefty Dallas Keuchel. Devers has mainly started against righties the last few weeks.

"Although the numbers look like he's been getting hit by lefties, you start looking at damage and what we can do offensively, and I think it's a better matchup for us," said Cora. "I think tomorrow it will be kind of like when we faced CC [Sabathia] in New York, probably the same lineup. And we go from there.

"But Rafi is doing a good job. We've got a few matchups that probably late in the game tomorrow we can take advantage of it if they bring the righties and he's locked in."

Kimbrel trying to get back on track Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel has pitched three times in the postseason, and he has given up at least one run on all three occasions. Fortunately, he was able to earn the save each time.

Is Kimbrel having a mechanical issue due to less regular work of late? The Red Sox are trying to figure that out.

"I'm not sure," said Cora. "I heard that the whole day today. Everybody was talking about his mechanics and rest. And it is what it is. We've got four off-days in between the regular season and the first series because we finished with the best record.

"And we're going to use him in spots that we feel he's going to be successful. Yesterday, he fell behind with [Evan] Gattis and got him out. And then with [Josh] Reddick, that was good execution. With George [Springer], 2-0 fastball right down the middle; we don't want to walk him, he hits a basehit. [Jose] Altuve gets a slider, check swing. It was a ball and he put a good swing on it and misfired."

"Yesterday he was misfiring arm-side, but we'll see. Hopefully he pitches a lot the next three days, and that will be good news for us."

Caution with Bregman The Red Sox are a lot more worried about not letting Bregman beat them than they are with his offerings on social media. The Astros' star third baseman went 0-for-3 in the first two games of the series, but walked six times.

"They've been watching a lot of videos of Alex lately," said Cora. "You have to be very careful. He's staying in the strike zone. He's been swinging the bat well the whole second half. And he's been very disciplined.

"And we have a game plan. So far we keep throwing to the edges, and he's not swinging. He's taking his walks. But we'll stay with our game plan. We still are attacking him the way we feel. And I'm not saying, 'So far, so good,' but there's not too much damage done from that spot right now."

* WEEI.com

Thank you for being Boston's sports villain, Alex Bregman

Rob Bradford

HOUSTON -- I don't really know Alex Bregman. I've interviewed him maybe twice. Seemed nice enough. Alex Cora thinks highly of him. Obviously, Blake Swihart is a big proponent of his childhood friend. I just recently talked to a bunch of folks who have known the guy for a long, long time and swore up and down that the Astros' third baseman was the tops.

That's fine. But that's not what we're talking about.

Bregman has become Boston's new sports villain, and it's awesome!

In case you turned off the internet yesterday or chose to obsess over Patriots' television ratings it was Bregman who offered up a slice of deliciousness for this American League Championship Series. For some reason, Bregman felt obligated to surface a video of Astros' home runs against Red Sox' Game 3 starter Nathan Eovaldi. (To see that Instagram post, click here.) Most of the Red Sox downplayed the social media salvo in the same manner they had after the Aaron Judge boom box incident.

"Like I said a few days ago, if you need motivation in Game 3 of the ALCS, you better check yourself because you win three more games you go to the show," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora Monday. "And that's what should motivate you. Alex has different ways of motivating himself. And whatever. I'll leave it at that."

But the one reality of these Red Sox is that they like these sort of things. They admitted as much after the Yankees' series, citing not only the "New York, New York" serenade but also the clubhouse perception that only Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz picked the Sox over New York in the ALDS.

It's a page out of the Patriots' playbook. Those Super Bowl teams didn't need the blueprint for Philadelphia's Super Bowl parade to play better, but they used it anyway. Can't hurt. Same holds true here. Good for the Red Sox. Good for baseball.

"Wow. I don’t know why he would do that," Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce told WEEI.com. "We do our talking on the field. If he wants to run his mouth now we’ll see who is talking at the end of the series. I don’t think he needs to run his mouth. He’s one of the best players in the game. If that’s his personality, that’s his personality. Nothing against the guy. If that’s how he has to motivate himself, whatever."

That's their deal. What this gives us as those who are watching this whole series unfold is something that is so rare these days. Bregman is wearing the 10-gallon black hat.

He is what Danny Ainge was for Los Angeles. Sorry, that's the best I've got, and that's sad I have to go that far back. The point is that these sort of images don't come around a whole lot, especially in baseball.

Think about recent Red Sox' postseason runs. Give me examples of one of a team's best overall player putting himself in the crosshairs like this.

Alex Rodriguez didn't do this. You think he was ready to embrace the hate? Nope. He was too politically correct. Good luck trying to find someone in any of the Red Sox' World Series foes. Those pair of St. Louis teams and the 2007 Rockies didn't exactly exude pointed passion. Danielle Peck singing the National Anthem and God Bless American in front of her old boyfriend, Josh Beckett, before and during Game 5 of the 2007 ALCS? Nice try Indians.

Judge gave it his best whirl but never made it back to Boston to reap the rewards of his playlist choice.

Bregman is a gift.

Watching him play the first two games has been eye-opening. He was good last postseason, but there hasn't been a player who has come into Fenway Park and offered the feeling that if he was involved in a play it was going to go Houston's way as the 24-year-old has. And even though he has since deleted the Instagram post, the guess that we haven't seen the last of Bregman's willingness to put himself in the crosshairs of the Red Sox and their fans.

When Eovaldi faces off with Bregman Tuesday the whole thing won't matter. Either the pitcher hits his spots or he doesn't. The hitter isn't going to hit better. The fielder isn't going to field more precisely (which would be impossible to do, anyway). And the Red Sox or Astros aren't going to win a game or lose a game because of the way the infielder comports himself.

No matter.

This is about bringing back something we've been lacking in these parts for way too long. Thank you Alex Bregman.

Pearce on Bregman: 'We'll see who is talking at the end of the series'

Rob Bradford

HOUSTON -- The conversation bubbling to the surface on workout day at Minute Maid Park Monday had little to do with actual baseball. Instead, it was all about Instagram.

Following a brief batting practice session leading up to Game 3 of the American League Championship Series between the Red Sox and Astros, various Sox players were asked to respond to Alex Bregman's controversial post on Instagram showing a series of Houston home runs against Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi. (To see the post, click here.)

While many of the quotes emanating from the Red Sox' side of things downplayed the impact of Bregman's post, not everybody was willing to suggest it was no big deal.

"Wow. I don’t know why he would do that," Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce told WEEI.com. "We do our talking on the field. If he wants to run his mouth now we’ll see who is talking at the end of the series. I don’t think he needs to run his mouth. He’s one of the best players in the game. If that’s his personality, that’s his personality. Nothing against the guy. If that’s how he has to motivate himself, whatever."

Blake Swihart, who grew up with the Astros' third baseman in New Mexico, was ready when reporters approached him near the end of media availability. ("Let me guess, you guys want to ask me about Bregman," he prefaced his remarks with.)

"To me, in his mind, he’s probably thinking he’s trying to pump up his team, get everyone excited," said Swihart, who said he hadn't talked to Bregman about the post. "It might have come off the wrong way. I know he deleted it now. I think he was just trying to pump everybody up, that’s all. In this type of game, you should already be pretty pumped up. I think he was just trying to pump people up."

What would Swihart tell his childhood friend when he does talk to him about the post?

"I’ll probably just tell him I had to do a bunch of interviews because of you posting that," said the Red Sox catcher. He added, "He’s always had a confidence about himself. That’s what makes everybody a great player. You have confidence in yourself. He’s never been one to do that, no."

Chris Sale released from hospital, will join team in Houston on Tuesday

Ryan Hannable

Red Sox fans can breathe a little easier.

Early Monday evening, the Red Sox announced Chris Sale has been released from Mass General Hospital after spending the night there Sunday with a stomach illness. He will rejoin the team in Houston on Tuesday.

Sale was admitted a day after a tough outing in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Astros. The left-hander allowed two runs on one hit in four innings of work, but walked four and hit a batter.

It's expected Sale will start Thursday's Game 5.

Astros needed Games 1 and 2 even more than Red Sox because of these 2 players

John Tomase

Here's how Game 2 put the Red Sox in the driver's seat in the American League Championship Series: it robbed the Astros of their greatest advantage.

Entering the series, the Astros viewed Games 1 and 2 as must-wins every bit as much as the Red Sox, even though they were visiting Fenway Park. That's because Houston started twin aces Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, and recognized the drop-off to Games 3 and 4 starters Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton.

Wait a minute, you ask. Isn't Keuchel a former Cy Young Award winner and Morton a 2018 All-Star? Yes and yes, but the two represent bigger vulnerabilities than you'd think.

First of all, Keuchel hasn't been the same pitcher since his breakout 2015 ended with the Cy Young trophy. He went 12-11 this season with a 3.74 ERA and then tossed five decent innings (4 hits, 2 ER) in the clinching victory over the Indians in Game 3 of the ALDS.

But Keuchel's stuff has noticeably diminished. His fastball sits in the 90 mph range and his strikeout rate has dipped from a high of 23.7 percent in 2015 to just 17.5 percent today. He pitches to contact and the Red Sox know how to make that. Their team average of .268 led baseball and their batting average on balls in play of .309 ranked third. Meanwhile, they were one of the five toughest teams in baseball to strike out.

They scored 14 runs against the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS before hitting their first homer, Brock's cycle-completing two-run shot that put the finishing touches on a 16-1 blowout.

They also hit Keuchel hard in his only appearance vs. them this season, touching him for nine hits and five runs in six innings, including home run No. 40 for J.D. Martinez.

Morton is a different story. The veteran right-hander delivered the best season of his career, going 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA.

He also began feeling shoulder soreness in August, and the Astros shut him down (sound familiar?) for one start. He returned in September and delivered two wins before lasting only one inning on Sept. 23 against the Angels. A noticeable drop in velocity prompted manager A.J. Hinch to remove him, and he tossed just three innings in a final tuneup start on Sept. 30.

Morton was slated to start Game 4 against the Indians, but the Astros swept. That means he has only thrown four innings in the last month, which calls into question how much stamina he'll have when he takes the mound on Wednesday. The Red Sox are practically guaranteed a bullpen game.

So while splitting at Fenway may seem like it played to the Astros' advantage, don't be so sure. The bottom half of their rotation isn't anywhere near as strong as the top, and it wouldn't be remotely surprising if the Red Sox leave Houston with a chance to close things out in Boston in Game 6 on Saturday.

* NBC Sports Boston

Bregman's post is good for baseball, shouldn't have been deleted

Evan Drellich

HOUSTON — Bat flips are great, but some Instagram fun is not.

Well, that doesn’t make sense.

Baseball is still caught in between. Let the kids play. And let the kids trash talk, too.

An Instagram post showing the homers you’ve hit off a team’s starting pitcher — like the one Alex Bregman posted of Nate Eovaldi on Monday — is nothing more than harmless fun. It’s enjoyable for fans and a conversation starter for fans and the media alike.

Yet, as people noticed and talked about the video Monday, Bregman took it down. That was Bregman’s choice, not a directive from the Astros, sources said.

“He was kind of embarrassed,” one person said.

He shouldn’t have been. And the Sox should make their own Instagram videos, if they want.

Sports are theater. Don't limit the drama without good cause.

“And we have a sport full of great personalities and there's a fine line,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “Is it disrespectful? No. If it crosses a line, if you have to question whether it crosses the line it probably does. And so I don't look any further into that.

"We want guys to have their personalities, have their fun. Then go out and back it up. If you're going to put yourself out there you've got to back it up a little bit. But this is all in fun banter and competition. And we're playing a baseball game against a really good team in front of millions and millions of people. Let your personality shine a little bit.”

Cora, Hinch’s former bench coach, agreed.

“The guy that breaks the unwritten rules of baseball is Francisco Lindor,” Cora said. “He’s smiling, he’s throwing the bat and everybody’s like, ‘Oh, he’s playing with joy. Back in the day it was like, ‘Oh no, you can’t do that.’

“Now it’s Instagram and Twitter, you know? I mean he has a fan base. Sometimes you talk to these guys, you talk to some of the young kids, it’s a brand. Like, hey man, he got more followers today.”

Bregman, the Astros third baseman, and Cora are incredibly close. The former called it a “friendship that will never be broken” following their year together with the Astros in 2017.

Cora joked Monday that he hadn’t heard about what Bregman did, just as he hadn’t heard about what Aaron Judge did after Game 2 of the ALDS, when the Yankees slugger left Fenway Park with a speaker playing “New York, New York.” Of course, Cora knows.

“People are paying attention, you know?” Cora said. “Like the Judge thing was in every sports show, which is cool, I think. Like, we need more people to talk about the game.”

As a manager, Cora said that he doesn’t get wrapped up in what amounts to trash talk. (Although Cora himself took a press conference shot at Yanks pitcher Luis Severino, which Cora later apologized for.)

“It's always good that people talk about the game,” Cora continued on Monday in Houston. “And if that's the reason they're talking about it, so be it."

Blake Swihart is Bregman’s best friend. During the ALDS, Bregman noted in a television interview that the Astros deserved to be in primetime, a slot occupied by the Sox and Yankees. When the Sox advanced to the ALCS, Swihart posted a team picture on Instagram with the hashtag #primetime.

“He texts me and he goes, ‘Nice hashtag,’” Swihart said. “It’s having fun. I don’t think anyone’s really mad or pissed off about it. Like I said, he has confidence. He’s just trying to pump people up to ‘em. And try to pump up fans, everybody.

“I don’t think anybody was really mad about it or anything. A bunch of guys post stuff probably a lot worse than that."

* Bostonsportsjournal.com

Like it or not, social media trolling by players keep baseball front and center

Sean McAdam

HOUSTON — This being 2018 and all, social media has quite naturally played a role in MLB’s postseason.

And why not? If it can influence elections, why wouldn’t it also infiltrate baseball?

Earlier this month, a video of New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge carrying a boombox and blasting out “New York, New York” as he walked past the home clubhouse at Fenway following the Yankees’ Game 2 win over the Red Sox went viral and became the backdrop to the rest of the American League Division Series.

Initially, the Red Sox dismissed the display by Judge as little more than harmless fun. But when the Sox clinched a series win in Game 4 at Yankee Stadium, they made sure to have the song part of their clubhouse celebration playlist, giving credence to the fact that the Sox successfully used it as a motivational tool when they won two straight in the Bronx.

Now, with a pause in the action between Games 2 and 3 of the American League Championship Series, social media hijinks are front-and-center again.

On Monday, Astros third baseman Alex Bregman posted video of Houston hitting three consecutive homers earlier this season off Nathan Eovaldi, then with the Tampa Bay Rays, with a caption reading: “Lil pre-game video work.” Eovaldi, of course, is the Game 3 starter Tuesday night as the Red Sox and Astros resume their business.

Bregman’s post was soon deleted, but not before it got a lot of attention in both clubhouses.

Eovaldi, who is as even-tempered as any player on the Sox, said he was made aware of Bregman’s trolling in his own clubhouse, but insisted he didn’t take it personally.

“You know, I don’t have any social media or anything like that,” said Eovaldi. “The guys told me about it. I think home run clips, right? Something like that? Yeah, I’m aware of it. I still have a job to do. I’ve got to go out there and pitch my game tomorrow and I can’t have any distractions.”

Eovaldi is so low-keyed and unassuming, you can actually take him at his word. He’s not one to get rattled about much of anything. And, as his manager Alex Cora noted: “Like I said a few days ago, if you need motivation in Game 3 of the ALCS, you better check yourself.”

It wasn’t long ago that managers actively discouraged their players from providing bulletin board material to the opposition during the postseason. It was deemed to be in poor taste, and ultimately, counterproductive to the goal at hand. Why needlessly fire up the team you’re trying to beat?

But Judge’s antics, and now Bregman’s trolling, at the very least, have people talking. And that, Cora noted, isn’t a bad thing.

“People are paying attention, you know,” shrugged Cora. “Like, the Judge thing was on every sports show, which is cool, I think. We need more people to talk about the game. We’re in a great time to be a baseball fan. I’ve been saying that the whole season. You look at these two teams and it’s like, ‘Wow.’

“I’ve been talking about the talent (on display in the ALCS). Alex Bregman is one of the best players in the big leagues. And now, well, they’re talking — maybe not for the right reasons — but they’re talking about it. And I think it’s cool.”

Cora was thought of as something of a throwback during his career, who might have taken offense as such measures. It’s not hard to imagine a 30-year-old Cora firing up his teammates with perceived slights from the other dugout.

But Cora’s older, and the game’s culture has changed. So instead of reacting with indignation, Cora smiles, shrugs and essentially says to himself: “Kids these days…”

“Probably, when I was playing, I would be like ‘OK, here we go,'” acknowledged Cora. “But I don’t throw a ball, I don’t have to hit. I just manage a team and I don’t get caught up in that. But it’s always good (when) people talk about the game. And if this is the reason they’re about it, so be it.”

Goodness knows, baseball can use the talk and the attention. It can use whatever it takes to reach the young fans, many of whom regard the game as too slow and without enough personality.

So the antics by Judge and Bregman should be seen for what they are: harmless fun that puts the game on the radar of a segment of the audience that would otherwise be happy to ignore it.

Even today, the old adage still applies: there’s no such thing as bad publicity.

ALCS Notebook: Eovaldi in familiar spot(s); Nunez gets start for Game 3

Sean McAdam

HOUSTON — In every sense of the phrase, Nathan Eovaldi has been here before.

Here, as in pitching in a Game 3, with the Red Sox tied with their opponents 1-1. He’ll start Tuesday in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros, just as he did in Game 3 of their ALDS matchup with the Yankees.

The Sox can only hope that Eovaldi repeats something close to the same results. Against the Yankees, he pitched seven innings of one-run ball as the Sox won that night, then advanced the following night.

He’s not about to be intimidated when the Astros fans in Minute Maid Park get going for the home team.

“Pitching in Yankee Stadium,” said Eovaldi, “they’re a loud crowd as well. And I feel like if go out there and do my job, attack the zone and get that first-pitch strike, not give up any free bases, no walks, things like that, I feel like that will keep the crowd out of it as well.

“I know they’re going to be loud here and I feel like with the roof closed and stuff, it gets even louder. So I’m definitely looking forward to it, pitching in these circumstances. But (I’ll) focus on trying dictate the counts and stay in control.”

Eovaldi is entirely familiar with the area, too, having grown up in nearby Alvin — hometown of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan — and having pitched at Minute Maid Park as a teenager.

“It’s definitely very special to me,” he said. “Growing up, we watched a lot of games here and then, in travel ball and stuff, we got to play here a couple of times. It’s real special to me.” ______

Rafael Devers started at third base in Game 2 after Eduardo Nunez made costly misplays at third in Game 1. Devers rose to the challenge with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.

But Alex Cora indicated that Nunez would be back in the lineup for Game 3 against Houston lefty Dallas Keuchel.

“Nuney is playing (Tuesday),” said Cora. “Raffy’s going well. (But) I think (Nunez) is a better matchup for us.”

Cora added that he expected Tuesday’s lineup to be similar to the one the Sox used against another lefty — CC Sabathia — in Game 4 of the Division Series. That would indicate that Ian Kinsler will remain at second base and perhaps Christian Vazquez behind the plate. ______

It’s been speculated that part of Craig Kimbrel’s issue with control stem from not pitching enough — that when he goes a number of days between outings, his mechanics get out of whack.

That looked to be the case in the Division Series when he had some difficulty in Game 1 — after the Sox had four days off following the end of the regular season. It happened again in Game 4, the ALDS clincher, when he was pitching with three days’ rest.

And then, in Game 2 of the ALCS, Kimbrel had another rocky ninth, pitching for the first time after having four days off.

“I heard that the whole day today,” said Cora of the theory. “Everybody was talking about his mechanics and the rest. And it is what it is. (But) we’re going to use him in spots where we feel he’s going to be successful. We’ll see. Hopefully, he pitches a lot in the next three days and that will be good news for us.”

Chris Sale released from hospital, set to rejoin Red Sox Tuesday

Sean McAdam

HOUSTON — Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale, who spent most of Sunday and Sunday night in Massachusetts General Hospital with an undisclosed stomach illness, was released from the hospital Monday afternoon and is set to rejoin his teammates here Tuesday as they get ready for Game 3 of their American League Championship Series against the Astros.

“Everything’s fine,’ said manager Alex Cora. “So we’ll see how he feels physically and then after that, we’ll decide what we’re going to do. We need him to get here first and then see how he feels. From everything I’ve heard, he should be fine and it’s a matter of him showing up and we’ll talk to him and see how he feels physically and go from there.”

Cora said Sale felt “ill right after (Saturday’s) game (and) started throwing up.” Cora said Sale went to the hospital very early Sunday morning when he first fell ill and was admitted and held for observation.

According to Cora, he didn’t think Sale’s illness had anything to do with a reaction to the medication the pitcher may have been taking to address the mild left shoulder inflammation he’s been battling since the end of July.

“No, not that I know of,” Cora said.

While Sale is out of the hospital and feeling better, it may be too soon to greenlight him for his scheduled Game 5 start here Thursday.

“Thank God, it’s nothing that is serious at all,” said Cora. “Like I said, he’ll be here (Tuesday) and hopefully, physically, he’s ready to go and we’ll decide when he pitches.”

The Sox could have other options for Game 5 if necessary. They could stitch together a bullpen game with numerous relievers, as other teams have done in the postseason. Or they could start lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, who has been transitioned to the bullpen, but was a starter during the season.

It’s virtually impossible to envision the Sox taking Sale off the playoff roster because of the stomach ailment: first, because it seems minor, and secondly, because it would, under MLB rules, also make him ineligible for the World Series.

Sale pitched poorly in Game 1 Saturday night, knocked around for two runs in four innings, with four walks allowed. It was just the third postseason start of his career.

* The Athletic

‘It’s an entity all to itself’: What happens outside the foul lines during a playoff game at Fenway Park

Tim Britton

It’s along the third-base corridor at Fenway Park, just past the visiting clubhouse — right around the spot where fans have to bear left up the ramp since the way to the right is for authorized personnel only — that the ambiance changes.

Moments ago we were in the anticipatory clamor of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, Fenway Park ready for baseball’s first semifinal between 100-win teams in 41 years. But as we move swiftly past that visiting clubhouse and down below the seats, the din grows distant, less the party you’re at than the one that’s keeping you awake next door.

And then once we’ve found our spot, inside the — relatively — spacious quarters of Fenway Park facilities supervisor Donnie Gardiner, it’s like we’re not at the game at all. The first inning has started by now, yet it resonates down here only as a white-noise hum. Gardiner can thus listen to his security radio, and he can take any emergency calls to fix leaks, elevator problems, issues with the fire alarm — essentially, anything that can and does go wrong in this 107-year-old ballpark.

You notice rather quickly that there is no radio feed of the game, no Joe Castiglione describing the action and asking if you believe it. There’s a TV about 35 inches on the wall in the backroom, but it is not turned on. Your brow might be furrowed, in this moment.

And that’s when 59-year-old Donnie Gardiner, who has worked at Fenway Park for 30 years, who can detail each idiosyncrasy of Fenway Park — a building that’s actually three buildings raised independently but since connected and that includes complex construction elements from a wide swath of years and thus technologies — the way Bill James does 1980s baseball stats, who knows Fenway Park better than anyone who’s ever hit here, pitched here, coached here, managed here, worked here or literally owned the deed here, reveals the most incredible thing about himself.

“You know, I’ve never watched a baseball game.”

Saturday’s Game 1 of the ALCS was the 84th MLB game hosted by Fenway Park this season. The rhythms of a 2018 baseball game here have been well-established by now, the patterns and paths of daily ballpark life well-worn. Following a 108-win regular season, the smiles around this place are well-earned.

As per postseason regulations, the clubhouses of the Red Sox and Astros are closed prior to the game. So, we thought, let’s bother some other people for a change. Let’s go deep inside the other parts of Fenway Park, into the offices and the tunnels and the workshops, and see how this whole thing happens.

“What do we have so far?”

“Did you see? We have lots of good pictures of dogs in jerseys. There’s one that’s straight out of Beethoven or The Sandlot.”

“Look at the drool!”

We’re on the field for Red Sox batting practice, just under three hours from first pitch, with Kelsey Doherty and Sam Ward. Doherty runs Boston’s social media team — this is the first year it’s an actual team — and BP is one of the best times to gather pregame content. She’s looking for basically any display of personality during an otherwise mundane part of a player’s daily routine to post, preferably on Snapchat or Twitter.

When it’s a quiet day, there are some old standby concepts.

“Sixteen-year-old girls like Benny,” she says of Andrew Benintendi. “It’s amazing.”

Doherty’s worked for the Red Sox since 2012, when she was a sophomore at nearby Emerson College, becoming full-time upon graduation in 2014. She had aimed to work in sports — be it marketing, public relations or (shudder) journalism — in college before honing in on social media, a discipline new enough that Emerson’s single class on the topic registered as being ahead of the curve.

“I love it,” she says during a quiet time later in the club’s MIT office — that’s Marketing and Information Technology — across Jersey Street, past a chainlink fence and up the stairs behind a back-alley door from the ballpark. “I get to shape the voice of a brand.”

That privilege comes with a dizzying amount of responsibility. Single tweets can end careers, and Doherty is posting on all forms of social media while representing an entire baseball organization. There’s a reason she checks just about everything her team plans to post, and why she’s a nightmare to be with on the 20 or so times a season the Sox are playing and she’s not monitoring it.

“If I’m away from it, I’m awful to be around,” she says.

Handling an individual social media account can be overwhelming. And yet, Doherty and her team pride themselves on reading every tweet that mentions @redsox. When she opens her computer at 5:45 on Saturday, there are 3,843 new mentions.

“Well, we read every one in the regular season,” she says. “We try to read every one in the postseason.”

This can’t possibly be a healthy habit for someone’s psychological well-being, right?

“I have definitely cried after bad tweets,” she says. “I’ve definitely cried after reading things sent to me.”

With that in mind, she’s careful not to be too mean herself. The @redsox account has restrained itself — so far at least — from mocking preseason predictions or the hot takes that accompanied a brutal Opening Day loss at Tampa Bay. While some team Twitter accounts have targeted reporters, radio hosts or fans who doubted the club, Doherty generally avoids that kind of back-and-forth. She’ll mix it up with other team accounts on occasion — most notably the Yankees’ — but still with an eye toward not having to dine on crow.

“We try not to troll too hard,” she says. “We saved most of our shade of the Yankees for after we clinched Game 4.”

The task has been simpler this season, thanks to Boston’s march to a franchise-record 108 wins in Alex Cora’s first season. Even in a first-place finish last season, the fan base never quite connected with a team it found disappointing and disengaged. Making the Red Sox more likable to the fan base is an implicit part of Doherty’s job.

“Let’s not manufacture anything. We know these are good guys,” she says. “But it’s also, if we’re winning and winning big like we are this year, fans like us.”

There are basic guidelines she uses for curating content. The best stuff pregame goes on Twitter, which is more active in the moment. Facebook is for more polished photo galleries later. Batting practice is perfect for Snapchat; Doherty will check the game notes before BP starts for cool stats that can be paired with a video on the platform. (She shoots all that video vertically, now that the stigma of vertical videos on Twitter has dissipated.) No photo placed on the team’s Instagram was taken on an iPhone; they come from the team photographers, who can pass them along in a huge group chat full of pictures.

“This has gone on the whole season,” Doherty says scrolling through hundreds of photos. “We thought about changing it for the postseason, but we won 108 games.”

A lot of those posts are hashtagged with #DoDamage, the postseason motto suggested by public-relations staffer Chris Gilligan and cemented when Brian Cashman said the Yankees were the only team to “do some damage” to Boston back in July. This year, for the first time, the Red Sox have their hashtag stamped on all their postseason gear from MLB.

(Last year’s was #WinAdvanceRepeat, in honor of the outfield’s postgame celebration. It didn’t really stick, given the ALDS loss to Houston. “If you lose,” Doherty says, “a good hashtag dies.”)

This is all part of the ever-changing landscape of social media in the sport. A decade ago, team Twitter accounts were still the property of MLB.com, who divvied them up among its interns. (There are tweets from @mets, @rockies and @brewers that were authored by your humble correspondent in a past life.) Now, it requires an entire team to think up new ideas and approaches each season.

“We can’t do what we did in 2012. We can’t do some stuff we did in 2016,” she says, chuckling at what used to qualify as good content. “We weren’t bad at it, we just didn’t know it yet.”

A look inside the Fenway communications room prior to the pregame ceremony. (Photo: Tim Britton) Back on the field for BP, Doherty’s turning the responsibilities over to Ward, dispensing one final important piece of advice.

“When in doubt, put it in slo-mo!”

Counsel the Astros and Red Sox took too seriously during their four-hour showdown, it seems.

“I probably say ‘Hi’ a thousand times a day,” Marcell Bhangoo says as she navigates her way through the State Street Pavilion on Fenway’s fourth floor. It’s about 90 minutes from first pitch, and Bhangoo, the club’s senior vice president of client and sponsor services, is making sure every pregame party in the ballpark is functioning seamlessly.

A large part of that job is saying “Hi.” A larger part is knowing the follow-up question when greeting a special guest. She can ask a rep from Sam Adams about her time in her latest race, or the son of a John Hancock exec about gloating to his Connecticut uncle about beating the Yankees. And she can make sure Luis Tiant has the sorbet he likes before the game.

“Let’s win tonight,” Tiant tells her. “I need a new ring.”

Bhangoo smiles at one point taking in the scene: “The same people sit at the same seats.”

The buffet in the State Street Pavilion was decorated for the ALCS. (Photo: Tim Britton) The effortless enthusiasm Bhangoo projects this night is indeed genuine. It’s Game 1 of the ALCS, after all.

“When you’re winning, things run themselves,” she says. “When you’re not, that’s the challenge.”

She does admit, though, that there are nights in August when this same jaunt through the ballpark doesn’t carry the same pep, regardless of how the team is playing. Those are the days she’ll try to eat lunch out in the open, with a view of the field, reminding herself how cool her job can be.

“August is the hardest time, even when the team is doing well,” says Bhangoo, who’s in her 21st year with the Red Sox and 12th since moving up from the ticket office. “I give a pep talk [to the ticketing staff] in August. You’re not going to know you’re unhappy, but you’ll feel it. This August, I had them take time off, then attend a game just to enjoy it, to remember what we do.”

In October, though, she’s worried about only two things. First, the reaction from friends and clients to the, ahem, belt bag she’s wearing — “It’s coming back!” she says of a fanny pack that’s apparently rebranded. “I’m hands-free!”

Second, the possibility of Game 7 of the World Series happening at Fenway Park on Halloween. Her two daughters are five and seven and already scared of mom having to work on the holiday.

“There are so many unknowns in October that it’s hard to plan for anything,” she says. “You tell yourself it’s one month and you have November to rest.”

It’s 10 minutes from first pitch, and we have the first tense moment of the night. Before Alex Cora would get ejected or Joe Kelly would hit Alex Bregman, there was. . . the extra minute both teams had to stand on the foul lines for Chris Sale.

After player introductions, Sale was making his way back from his pregame warm-ups in the outfield, right at the time the national anthem was scheduled to play. But stranding your starter in short sleeves for the anthem is poor juju, and thus the whole park waits for Sale to cross the foul line and enter the dugout to proceed.

It’s the reason the 8:09 scheduled first pitch doesn’t come until 8:10.

Sarah McKenna realizes all of this immediately. Tonight, it poses no real logistical hurdles for the vice president of fan services and entertainment. The anthem singer, Michelle Brooks-Thompson, has performed at Fenway several times before and won’t be rattled by the delay. But if this were a day game, the Red Sox would have secured a flyover, and if they had secured a flyover, they’d be on their headsets right now telling the Green Mountain Boys from Vermont’s Air National Guard to slow down.

McKenna, who’s been with the Sox for 17 years, helps orchestrate the pregame ceremony every night at Fenway Park. Contrary to what you might think, Game 1 of the ALCS is one of the easier ones. Brooks- Thompson was a no-brainer pick for the anthem; she sang before Game 1 of the ALDS, and Boston won. Kevin Youkilis knows how to throw out a first pitch. The regimentation of the postseason means there are fewer people the Sox can recognize before a game, fewer groups they can give tickets and field access to.

“This is a lot less people than I’m used to,” McKenna says as we emerge from the tunnel onto the field at 7:30 p.m. All that’s left now is the final preparation for pregame introductions, making sure the players line up in the right order this time. They messed it up in the ALDS.

“It’s like herding cats,” McKenna says, chuckling.

At least the pacing of the intros is easier than it used to be. They don’t have to plan around David Ortiz anymore.

“When we introduced David, we had to build in time,” she says. “We didn’t know which David we’d get. Is he going to just walk slowly out? Is he going to hug every guy? Is he going to see the other team?”

Establishing the proper pregame atmosphere at a playoff game requires a delicate hand. Game 1 is going to end up taking four hours and three minutes to complete; you don’t want to exhaust your fan base before the first pitch with too many hype videos.

Even within that context, though, the Red Sox take a surprising approach. Before every playoff game at Fenway, they play a 20-minute, 25-second highlight video — one that basically traces the history of the club, complete with plenty of its most agonizing defeats — to Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells,” better known from the soundtrack of The Exorcist.

The tradition started in 2003, when, well, Fenway needed one. It’s continued to this day, and it creates the eeriest pregame atmosphere in baseball.

“Some places go crazy, telling you to make noise. Our brand is baseball,” McKenna says as Sale hops out of the dugout to commence his warm-ups. “They know to cheer for Chris Sale. Boston kind of takes care of itself.”

Boston may take care of itself, but Fenway Park doesn’t. That’s where Gardiner comes in.

“I consider this my building,” says the 59-year-old, who has worked here in some capacity since 1988. “There’s no one in the universe that knows this building, how it’s built, how it’s used, better than me. That’s not a pat on the back. That’s reality.”

Gardiner is 5-foot-3 with a boyish haircut, his reddish blonde hair showing only the slightest initial touches of gray on a tip here or there. His hands are strong and thicker than you’d expect based on the rest of him, the dirt intractable under his nails and his fingers bearing the residue of cuts and scrapes. His Boston accent doesn’t reach full stereotype but it’s not exactly Henry Higgins either. He punctuates most of his sentences with, “You know what I mean?”

He nurses a two-liter bottle of Mountain Dew — he’s never had a beer — over the course of about 24 hours. His one meal a day is dinner, though his office has plenty of snacks.

He spends 100 hours a week here, occasionally sleeping within Fenway if it’s not worth driving home just to drive back here at six the next morning. His daughter once filled out a change of address card for him to 4 Yawkey Way.

“You’ve got to have some support behind you at home to do a job like this,” he says. Later in the evening, around the sixth inning, he’ll visit — briefly — with his wife in the stands.

The good nights are the boring ones — like this one, when he receives a couple of minor calls that his staff can handle. If he’s got to leave this room, it’s for something major. If he doesn’t, he can do some woodworking.

“My job is to keep the place together, to keep it safe,” he says. “For five hours, we’re the largest place of assembly in the city of Boston. We don’t have time to call people in. We don’t have time to wait. We have to react.”

Few react quite like Gardiner. He can weave his way through traffic on the concourse like Barry Sanders in the backfield. The bookcase in his office holds 50 binders of Fenway blueprints; he knows them all by heart because he doesn’t have time to consult the material. He uses “MacGyver” as a verb and as a job description.

“I like when things hit the fan. That’s when I’m at my best,” he says. “It’s something you’re good at, and it makes you feel good. I like the challenge.”

But let’s be serious here: On a night like this, when the calls are slow, and Game 1 of the ALCS is happening just on the other side of that concrete wall, Gardiner doesn’t even want to turn on the TV?

“I’m a control freak,” he says. “I can’t control the weather or what happens on the field. I don’t sit still long enough.”

His rooting interest?

“I like when they win because everybody is in a better mood,” he says.

And so he follows the game with his ears. The security radio will pass along notices about the passage of time — the beer sales closing in the seventh inning, “Sweet Caroline” playing in the eighth, “Dirty Water” revealing a positive result for the Red Sox. He gauges how the team is doing otherwise by how often and how loud the seats get above our heads. That white-noise hum builds at various junctures on Saturday night, to where it sounds like everyone above you is rolling around in office chairs that could use a squirt of WD-40 — which Gardiner has plenty of, by the way.

But 90 minutes into the game, Gardiner isn’t optimistic.

“I haven’t heard the horn yet,” he says of the sound that typically accompanies a Boston score. “It doesn’t sound promising tonight.”

(Houston led 2-0 through four-and-a-half at the time.)

Twenty minutes later, we can hear the horn, muffled through the walls, that we’ll later learn indicated Boston tied the game on a Justin Verlander wild pitch.

That’s the last excitement Gardiner would hear for the night, the Red Sox going meekly in a 7-2 loss.

Gardiner had been there for about 18 hours by the time the final out was recorded at 12:03 a.m. on Sunday morning. Doherty and the social media team were quiet; a single tweet with the final score, then a morning one calling Sunday a new day.

That’s what it was, just the 85th game hosted by Fenway Park in 2018. The same people will sit in the same seats, the same jobs will be done, and Donnie Gardiner will remain underneath, listening to it all.

In Canada, an overlooked Red Sox bastion thrives

Steve Buckley

WOLFVILLE, Nova Scotia — Keegan Pettipas wasn’t expecting much of a crowd when he arrived for his shift as a server at Joe’s Food Emporium, even though it was a Monday night and the locals know what that means: For just $4.88 you can fill yourself up on an overflowing plate of spaghetti and meat sauce, plus a side of garlic bread. They call it the Mama Mia Special.

But this particular Monday happened to be Canadian Thanksgiving, and because of that most of the residents of this scenic college town located about 90 kilometers (55 miles) northwest of Halifax were home digesting the bird. Imagine Pettipas’ surprise when the 21-year-old business major at Acadia University punched in for the night and discovered he’d be ministering to the needs of 18 proud, loyal, zealous, anticipatory, dressed-to-the-nines . . . Boston Red Sox fans.

They had traveled to Wolfville from Halifax, from Kentville, from Steam Mill Village, from nearby New Minas, even from as far away as Antigonish, by gosh. Members of a territory of Red Sox Nation known as the Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood, they had chosen Joe’s so that together, as a team, they could turn their eyes to the flat screens and watch their beloved ballclub take on the hated New York Yankees in Game 3 of the Division Series at faraway Yankee Stadium.

They were mostly oldtimers, the senior member being Bev Thorburn, an 81-year-old from Colebrook who bears a striking resemblance to the late Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. The youngest was 18-year-old Henry TeBogt, who works for his dad’s poultry farm in Grand Pre when he’s not taking classes at Nova Scotia Community College. The lone woman in attendance, 21-year-old Jenna Jackson, has been playing baseball since she was suiting up with boys teams at age 11. A catcher, she was a member of the Team Nova Scotia under-21 women’s team that took the bronze at a tournament in Manitoba last summer.

Nearly everyone was decked out in some manner of official Red Sox garb. Jay Robichaud went with a stylish golf shirt featuring an Old English “B.” Henry Hazel sported his No. 18 Shane Victorino shirt in the belief that its 2013 World Series logo “will bring us luck.” Jeff Hutt, a commander in the Royal Canadian Navy, proudly wore his No. 34 David Ortiz shirt. It was given to him by his shipmates when he served as executive officer of the HMCS Preserver. “The Red Sox are my passion,” he said. “Everyone knows that.”

When asked why, he rolled up the left sleeve of his stylish black leather jacket to reveal an official Boston Red Sox watch, featuring a bright red “B” on its face.

“I’m wearing my Red Sox underwear too,” Bev said, not joking. “I have some other pieces of Sox clothing at home, but they don’t fit quite as well as they used to.”

And Mama Mia, what a night they were having. Following a scoreless first inning the Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the second when Rafael Devers came home on a single by Christian Vazquez. The Sox pushed across two more runs in the third. Then came the fifth inning, and the Bluenosers roared their approval as the Red Sox erupted for seven runs.

“They’re a good crowd,” said Keegan Pettipas after dropping off another round of apps and drinks. “They’re definitely into the game. But I don’t really get it. I’m a Toronto Blue Jays fan.”

There was a time when Canada had two Major League Baseball teams. The Montreal Expos joined the National League in 1969, heralded as the first big-league ball club based outside the United States. The Toronto Blue Jays arrived in 1977, assigned to the American League. But the Expos closed shop following the 2004 season and were reborn as the Washington Nationals, after which the Blue Jays could rightly claim to be Canada’s Team.

But according to Major League Baseball, the Red Sox are the second most popular team in Canada. Sportswriter Keegan Matheson, who covers the Blue Jays for Baseball Toronto but grew up in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, puts it this way: “You would go Blue Jays and then Red Sox for sure, especially in the Maritime provinces. After that, I guess you’re always going to have some Yankees fans. There’s not really another big team after the Jays and Red Sox.”

But long before either the Expos or Blue Jays existed, the Red Sox had a loyal following in places like Montreal, Moncton, Halifax, and they had a loyal following throughout Les Expos’ entire 36-season run. And that loyal following continues to this day.

The Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood is named in honor of the Bluenose, a legendary racing schooner launched in 1921 that for nearly two decades went undefeated in various international competitions. It was also used for fishing and to haul freight.

Alas, the Bluenose met her match when she struck a coral reef off the island of Île-à-Vache, near Haiti, in 1946.

Alas, that was also the year the Red Sox lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

The Bluenose remains a Nova Scotia icon, inspiring replicas, songs, poems, and, now, serving as a coat of arms for Red Sox fans living in the eastern provinces.

Though there had always been informal groups, everything came together in 2004 — during the seventh inning of a Red Sox-Yankees spring training game at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla. The afternoon had turned dull by then, as minor-leaguers with high uniform numbers and low expectations took over for the veteran big-leaguers. The place was emptying out. That’s when a gathering of Canadian baseball fans sitting under the sun out in right field hatched an idea.

“There are so many Red Sox fans from Nova Scotia that we ought to start an official fan group,” proclaimed Dave Ritcey, a stockbroker from Kentville.

Vince McCarthy, a car dealer from Kentville, agreed.

So, too, did Jim Prime, who lives in New Minas, a village just outside Kentville. An ardent, lifelong Red Sox fan, Jim has written 21 books, most of them about baseball and most of those about his beloved Sox. His basement office is covered floor to ceiling with Red Sox caps and bats, baseballs and bobbleheads, photos and framed magazine covers, along with his Mona Lisa: A handwritten note from Ted Williams in which the Splendid Splinter closes with the declaration that he is “. . . not as mean and ornery as you might think.”

But though the Bluenosers boast nearly 500 members, Prime asserts they represent “just the tip of the iceberg of the number of Red Sox fans living in this part of Canada. There are a lot of Sox fans up here who don’t even know we exist. I know enough Red Sox fans from New Brunswick who could put together a group as big as ours, and Prince Edward Island is a very small province but with a hardcore Red Sox following.”

Red Sox officials pay attention to their fan base in the eastern provinces. They held Nova Scotia day at Fenway in 1958 and 1962, and brought it back for games in 2011 and in 2014. When the Commissioner’s Trophy — or as everyone calls it, the World Series Trophy — went on tour on January 7-8, 2008, following the team’s victory in the 2007 World Series, Halifax was included in the itinerary.

The Red Sox welcomed Nova Scotia fans with their own day before a game in 2011. “Sometimes it seems the farther you get away from Fenway Park the more passionate the fans get, and that was definitely the case in Halifax,” said Sox vice president of marketing and television Colin Burch, who accompanied the trophy on its trip to Nova Scotia.

Burch notes that when the trophy caravan made a stop to visit children at a Halifax hospital, “it had that same sentiment and ring and feel that we would get if we were going to a Jimmy Fund event in Boston. And when we went to the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame for the public viewing, we were overwhelmed by the amount of people there.”

People become attached to professional sports teams for all kinds of reasons. In Canada, the roots of Red Sox fandom can be broken down to five main categories and one bonus category:

Geography

Just as many football fans in the Boston area gravitated to the New York Giants in the years before the Patriots were hatched as charter members of the old American Football League, generations of baseball fans from the eastern provinces have been attracted to the Red Sox for the same reason: In the grand scheme of things they’re just around the corner. And in the days before the internet, many baseball fans up north developed an interest in the Red Sox because they could listen to their games on the radio — the signals from New England at times crackling, at times coming in so sharp it was as though legendary Sox play-by-play barkers Ken Coleman and Ned Martin were in the next room.

Some fans were even luckier, with New England TV signals carrying Red Sox games over the border. Daniel Lambert, 56, a retired chemist from Montreal, became a Sox fan because, “When I was young, I could pick up the games from the television station in Burlington (Vermont). I was an Expos fan, but I watched a lot of Red Sox games with my grandfather. He was a big rooter.”

When the Red Sox hosted the Yankees in Game 1 of the Division Series at Fenway Park on Oct. 5, Lambert landed a ticket online and then drove from Montreal to a motel just north of Boston. He took a nap after checking in and then drove into the city. He stowed his car in a Back Bay garage, as he had done about 15 times during the regular season, and then put on the No. 24 J.D. Martinez shirt he had carefully folded and stored in the back seat. From there, he walked to Fenway Park. Alone.

“My wife was at home,” he said. “If we make it to the World Series she’ll be with me.”

Boston native Chris “Knuckles” Nilan, the former Montreal Canadiens tough guy who now hosts a sports talk show in his adopted hometown, gets plenty of calls from listeners who want to talk about the Red Sox.

“There’s tremendous passion for baseball,” he said. “People speak of Montreal as being a Habs town — and it’s not a hockey town, it’s a Habs town — but we get a lot of Red Sox calls. The Sox fans are out there.”

History

One of the worst disasters in Canada’s history took place in Halifax on the morning of Dec. 6, 1917, after a New York-bound Norwegian ship called the SS Imo collided with a French steamship, the Mont Blanc. This was at the height of World War I. The Mont Blanc was carrying nearly 3,000 pounds of explosives. About twenty minutes after impact — at exactly 9:04:35 am — the vessel exploded with such force that virtually everything within a half mile was destroyed. Nearly 2,000 people would die; about 9,000 were injured.

In Boston, a massive relief effort was quickly organized. A ship carrying medical supplies was dispatched to Halifax, as was a trainload of doctors and other medical professionals. A fundraising campaign brought in an astronomical $100,000.

A bond between the two cities has existed ever since. An old tradition was restored in 1971 when Nova Scotians began donating an annual Christmas tree to Boston; a year ago, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the disaster and Boston’s role in providing relief, a plaque was unveiled on Boston Common. Joining Boston mayor Marty Walsh for the event were Nova Scotia’s premier, Stephen McNeil, and Halifax mayor Michael Savage.

“When we called out, it was the people of Boston who responded to our needs,” said McNeil.

The Babe Ruth factor

Born on July 11, 1872, in Lingan, a small town on Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Martin Leo Boutilier is not a widely know baseball figure. But Boutilier grew up to become Brother Matthias, the assistant athletics director at the St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys in Baltimore, who mentored a young George Herman “Babe” Ruth.

The Babe, a star with the Red Sox before being famously sold to the Yankees, made visits to Cape Breton and other Nova Scotia locales as a nod to Brother Matthias. And Cape Breton residents are understandably proud of this connection with the most famous player in baseball history. As recently as four years ago, a reminiscence of Brother Matthias appeared in the Cape Breton Post under the headline: “The man who inspired the Babe.”

The Ted Williams factor

It would be stretch to call Ted Williams “The Greatest Fisherman That Ever Lived,” but the Red Sox icon was widely known for his exploits with the rod and reel. One of his favorite fishing places was along the Miramichi River in New Brunswick, where he’d often be seen in the company of his longtime buddy Bud Leavitt, the jovial, bearish sports editor of the Bangor Daily News in Maine.

But Williams was more than a tourist. He kept a camp in the area and in his later years became an activist for saving the Miramichi salmon.

In an article appearing in The Sunday Daily News on Oct. 3, 1993, Williams went so far as to say, “I’m going to cut my throat right here,” if the federal fisheries department doesn’t take action.

But he wasn’t as mean and ornery as you might think.

Migration

According to Global Boston, a project at Boston College that tracks the history of immigration to the city, thousands of Canadians began streaming into Massachusetts in the second half of the 19th century. The main reason: jobs.

Global Boston, citing the 1880 census, reports that of all Nova Scotian immigrants in the United States 57 percent lived in Massachusetts, as well as half of all immigrants from Prince Edward Island and 29 percent of all immigrants from New Brunswick.

Many of these newly-minted Bay Staters likely became fans of Boston’s big-league baseball teams, including the National League Braves. It’s also likely they sent stories to relatives back home about trips to the ballpark.

Bonus category: Fate

For Don Hyslop, a retired history teacher who grew up in St. John, New Brunswick, life forever changed on the morning of August 7, 1962. And it changed while he was in the back seat of a car as his family was driving through Massachusetts after visiting relatives in Buffalo. Hyslop was 12 at the time, and a committed Yankees fan. But then his dad turned on the radio, and an announcer said something about a Family Special for that day’s Red Sox game against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Hyslop made a pitch for going to the game. His parents thought it over and came to an agreement: Why not? And so it was that Don Sr. and Eleanor Hyslop, with Don Jr, Christina (9), Emery (4) and little Gary (just 11 months) huddled in the back seat, made a detour to Kenmore Square.

“You always hear that cliche about walking up the ramp and seeing the field for the first time, but I’m sorry that’s exactly what happened,” Hyslop said. “It was breathtaking. Frankie Fontaine, the comedian, did his Crazy Guggenheim routine before the game. Earl Wilson pitched for the Red Sox. Bo Belinsky pitched for the Angels. The crowd was so small that when fans yelled at the players, the players would answer them. They yelled something at (Red Sox right fielder) Lu Clinton and he yelled back, ‘I’m getting paid to be here. You paid to get in.’ I fell in love with the Red Sox that day.”

Hyslop has since written articles for the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), including a piece on Nova Scotia-born Fred Lake, who managed the Red Sox in 1908 and ‘09.

By the late innings on Thanksgiving night at Joe’s Food Emporium, members of the Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood were trickling out the door. “Looks like it’s going to be Joe and Tim for me on the way home,” said Richard Johnson, referring to Red Sox radio play-by-play broadcasters Joe Castiglione and Tim Neverett.

“I’ve got a long drive to Antigonish.”

Those who stayed hooted and hollered as the Red Sox completed a history-making 16-1 beatdown of the Yankees.

Server Keegan Pettipas, the committed Blue Jays fan, was busy collecting the separate checks.

“It’s not that I dislike the Red Sox,” he later said. “I guess I think of the Blue Jays as Canada’s team.”

Had the crowd from the Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood heard that — and they did not — it might have meant a smaller tip for Keegan Pettipas.

“Their fandom is a hundred miles wide and just a half inch deep,” he said.

Asked what he meant by that, Jim said, “When I was a kid, I knew of fishermen from Prince Edward Island who would try to pick up Red Sox games on the radio when they were out in the ocean.”

And what did he mean by that?

“I just think a lot of that ‘national team’ talk is B.S.,” he said. “I think if you really delve into it, it’s just something to say. Red Sox fans around here have always worked a little harder.”

Said Dave Ritcey, the man who came up with the idea for the Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood, “I feel there’s pressure for everyone in Nova Scotia to jump on board and support the Canadian teams, such as the Blue Jays. But we’re gong to continue to buck the trend.

“Second on my list of easily-dismissed baseball fans are Blue Jays fans,” said Ritcey. “First being Yankees fans, of course.”

John Martin will continue to inspire as fight against ALS goes on

Steve Buckley

The Bruins did a cool thing last Thursday night, turning their game against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden into a forum to raise awareness — and money — in the fight to find a cure for ALS.

It was also an occasion for Team Frate Train to make a stop at Cafe Martin, and what took place was a conversation that only the friends and family members of those afflicted with ALS could possibly fathom.

Representing Team Frate Train was John Frates, father of Pete Frates, the former Boston College baseball captain who was diagnosed with ALS in 2012.

Representing Cafe Martin was Adrienne Martin, wife of John Martin, the longtime NESN photographer who was diagnosed with ALS in 2016.

Invited to do an interview with NESN’s Dale Arnold between the first and second periods, John Frates and Adrienne Martin did some off-camera kibitzing before the red light went on.

“When you are talking to a fellow family member, there’s nothing like it,” John Frates was saying Monday. “You don’t even have to say much. You don’t have to go into great detail. We each know the devastating journey that the other is on.”

Though decorum prevents John Frates from divulging the specifics of the conversation, his takeaway was that one journey was coming to an end, that John Martin was in the last stages of his ALS battle.

On Sunday, just three days after his wife’s NESN interview, John Martin died. He was 51 years old. In addition to Adrienne he leaves his daughters Kaia (14) and Gabby (7). . . and the thousands of Boston sports fans who were attracted to his plight after those snazzy Cafe Martin baseball caps began appearing on the heads of sportswriters, broadcasters, club execs and an ever-expanding cast of professional athletes.

Perhaps you spotted David Ortiz in a Cafe Martin cap. Bruins legends John Bucyk and Raymond Bourque wore Cafe Martin caps. So did Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Members of the Frates family sported Cafe Martin caps. During a Pearl Jam concert at Fenway Park, Eddie Vedder gave Martin a shoutout.

And the thing is, John Martin didn’t want to be an ALS rock star. That was Pete Frates’ gig. It was Frates who grabbed ALS by the throat and began throwing it around the ring as though his diagnosis had been the opening bell to a steel cage match. It was Frates who traveled to Washington and testified for increased funding for ALS research. It was Frates who turned the Ice Bucket Challenge into a global phenomenon.

John Martin was a different cat. He was content being a cameraman (his term), which meant he believed his job was to remain behind the scenes. But for a man who preferred to be in the background, his background was always clanging with background noise. He was not a storyteller, but he had an opinion and observation on just about everything, his musings generally crisp, entertaining and to the point.

Small wonder, then, that people gravitated toward him.

Small wonder, then, that John Martin, just by being John Martin, became another ALS rock star.

The smallish front porch of the Martins’ Newton home turned into a gathering spot for an endless parade of friends, co-workers and family members to stop by and offer support, and to perhaps have a cold one or two and listen to Martin opine about this or that.

Soon the little porch had a name: Cafe Martin. And then came the Cafe Martin caps.

“The whole concept of Cafe Martin was a community of love and support for John and his family,” said Tom Caron, who hosts Red Sox pre- and postgame shows on NESN. “I think it started out with T-shirts, and then the caps became a thing everywhere.

“But if you look closely at it,” Caron said, “John really never became the public face of any of this. He let the community of Cafe Martin become the poster child for his fight. You didn’t see a ton of John, other than the Oldtime game and Monster Laughs.”

The Oldtime Baseball Game (disclosure: I am one of the event’s organizers), an annual charity game held in Cambridge, was played as an ALS fundraiser in 2017, with Martin serving as an honorary coach. He had no choice: Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez volunteered to pitch a couple of innings, but not before stopping by Cafe Martin and personally accompanying Martin to Cambridge.

Monster Laughs for The John Martin Fund, held at the Dell EMC Club at Fenway Park this past January, was organized by Caron and local comedian Jimmy Dunn.

“John came that night, and ultimately he said a few words because he got caught up in the moment,” said Caron. “He wanted to stay private. The nuance was Cafe Martin.”

To friends, however, Martin talked of the dreams he kept having. Some were heartbreaking, others uplifting.

“He told me he’d have these dreams in which everything was normal,” said Martin’s close friend Patrick Gamere, a NESN photographer. “And then he’d wake up and be reminded that he has ALS.”

Just last month, Martin sent an email to John and Nancy Frates, Pete’s parents.

“Hi Guys,” he wrote. “Had a dream Pete and I were playing baseball last night. Just checking in (to see if) he’s good! Best! JPM.”

“I know now he was writing to us with eye-gaze software,” said John Frates. “What struck me was that he was asking how Pete is doing even though he’s in the throes of it himself. It was short and sweet and beautiful.”

* The New York Post

Chris Sale is out of the hospital but Red Sox are being cautious

Ken Davidoff

HOUSTON — After giving the Red Sox a good scare, Chris Sale plans to rejoin his teammates here Tuesday. Yet the ace’s superiors weren’t quite ready to sign off on him taking his next turn in the starting rotation for this American League Championship Series.

The left-hander was released from Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday morning, the team announced, after getting admitted Sunday for a stomach illness.

“We need him to get here first and then see how he feels,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday at Minute Maid Park, before a team workout. “It’s more than the Red Sox. It’s about the individual. So everything I heard, he should be fine and it’s a matter of him to show up and we’ll talk to him and see how he feels physically and go from there.”

Sale started ALCS Game 1 for the Red Sox, expending 86 pitches over four innings and allowing two runs; he ultimately took a no-decision in the Astros’ 7-2 victory. That ordinarily would put him on a track to start Game 5 Thursday night at Minute Maid.

“We were all pretty surprised when we found out the news,” former Yankee Nathan Eovaldi, who will start ALCS Game 3 on Tuesday afternoon, said of Sale’s illness. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about him now.”

The Red Sox, who possess the clearly inferior pitching staff in this series, will likely need more good things from Sale if they are to win this series and advance to the Fall Classic.

Astros star borrows from Aaron Judge with risky Red Sox trolling

Greg Joyce

Alex Bregman is taking a page from Aaron Judge’s book and poking the bear.

As the Astros got back to Houston on Monday tied 1-1 with the Red Sox in the ALCS, Bregman posted an Instagram story — which has since been deleted — with highlights of himself, George Springer and Jose Altuve hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs off Nathan Eovaldi in June.

Bregman, the Astros’ hot-hitting third baseman, added the caption, “lil pregame video work.” Eovaldi — the Red Sox’ Game 3 starter — was on the Rays when the Astros ambushed him June 20 for four home runs in a 5-1 loss, but most recently tossed seven innings of one-run ball against the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS.

The trolling brings back shades of Judge, who played, “New York, New York” from a speaker as he walked past the Red Sox clubhouse after the Yankees left Fenway Park with the ALDS tied 1-1. The Red Sox went on to win the next two games and played Frank Sinatra’s song in their clubhouse as they celebrated with champagne.

* The USA Today

Alex Bregman trolls Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi with Instagram post

Bob Nightengale

HOUSTON — It was Houston Astros All-Star Alex Bregman simply being Alex Bregman, showing off his swag, mixing in a little trolling, and the next thing anyone knew, his Instagram post was the biggest topic of conversation Monday before Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

The Astros third baseman, who faces Boston Red Sox starter Nate Eovaldi on Tuesday night, showed a clip on his Instagram account with the Astros hitting three consecutive homers off Eovaldi earlier this year when he was still with the Tampa Bay Rays.

It was a subtle dig similar to New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge walking by the Red Sox clubhouse playing New York, New York, after beating the Red Sox in Game 2 at Fenway Park in the AL Division Series.

While Eovaldi and the Red Sox insisted publicly they didn’t take any offense to the home-run clip, Astros manager A.J. Hinch wasted no time telling Bregman to delete it from his account.

“Obviously, there’s fun banter,’’ Hinch said. “You go back and you hear New York, New York in Boston in the New York series. You get the different tweets and the different Instagram posts, and it’s all in good fun.

“And we have a sport full of great personalities and there’s a fine line. Is it disrespectful? No. If it crosses a line, if you have to question whether it crosses the line, it probably does.

“And so I don’t look any further into that.’’

If nothing else, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, it at least has people talking about this series and the game of baseball rather than the Monday Night Football game.

“It’s always good that people talk about the game,’’ Cora said, “and if that's the reason they're talking about it, so be it. But from my end, I don't pay attention to that …

“People are paying attention, you know? Like the Judge thing was in every sports show, which is cool, I think. Like, we need more people to talk about the game. We're in a great time to be a baseball fan. I've been saying that the whole season. You look at those two teams, you know, it's like, wow. I've been talking about talent.

“Alex Bregman is one of the best players in the big leagues. And now, well, they're talking, not for the right reasons, but they're talking about it.

“And I think it's cool.’’

Could it actually motivate the Red Sox?

"If you need motivation in Game 3 of the ALCS,’’ Cora said, “you better check yourself, because you win three more games, you go to the Show. And that's what should motivate you. Alex has different ways of motivating himself. And whatever. I'll leave it at that.’’

The Astros, who arrived in Houston at 5 a.m., did not work out Monday, so Bregman was unavailable for comment. Yet, Eovaldi, who grew up in nearby Alvin, Texas, the hometown of Nolan Ryan, publicly said he had no issues with Bregman’s idea of either having fun, trying to get under his skin, or both.

“I still have a job to do,’’ said Eovaldi, who doesn’t have social media, but was told of the Instagram post. “I've got to go out there and pitch my game, and I can't have any distractions.’’

Who knows, maybe the Red Sox and Eovaldi get the last laugh, and when they leave Minute Maid Park on Tuesday night, they’ll be playing Deep in the Heart of Texas?

“I don’t take it personal,’’ Cora said. “I don’t play anymore. Probably when I was playing, I would be like, 'Here we go.’ But I don’t throw a ball. I don’t have to hit. I don’t make errors anymore. I just manage a team.’’

Let the show begin.

* The Houston Chronicle

Red Sox start Eduardo Nunez at third base to combat Dallas Keuchel

David Barron

With Dallas Keuchel pitching Tuesday for the Astros, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he will start righthanded-hitting Eduardo Nunez at third base over lefthanded-swinging Rafael Devers.

Devers had two hits with an RBI and two runs scored in Boston's Game 2 win Sunday. Nunez was hitless in three at-bats with a walk in Game 1, offers the better matchup.

Cora said the Red Sox probably will configure their lineup as they did against Yankees lefthander C.C. Sabathia in the division series and likely will look to Devers, who had two hits in Boston's 16-1 win in Game 3 against New York, as the game wears on.

"Rafi is doing a good job," Cora said. "We've got a few matchups that probably late in the game tomorrow we can take advantage of it if they bring the righties, and he's locked in."

Red Sox lefthander Chris Sale set to rejoin team for Game 3

David Barron

Red Sox lefthander Chris Sale was released Monday from a Boston hospital and will rejoin the team for Tuesday's Game 3 at Minute Maid Park.

Sale, Boston's Game 1 starter, was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Sunday with what was described as a stomach illness.

Recommended Video Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the ailment was "nothing that is serious at all" and that he would meet Tuesday with the lefthander to determine his status for the rest of the series.

He said there were no plans for Sale to throw a side session Tuesday.

"We need him to get here first and then see how he feels," Cora said. "It's more than the Red Sox; it's about the individual.

"Everything I heard, he should be fine.”

Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi unfazed by Bregman's Instagram clip

Hunter Atkins

Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi is aware of the video that Astros third baseman Alex Bregman posted on Instagram, showing the Astros homering off Eovaldi in a June game. And Eovaldi does not seem to care.

"I don't have any social media or anything like that," said Eovaldi, who will start Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night. "The guys have told me about it. I think home run clips, right? Something like that. Yeah, I'm aware of it."

Eovaldi had been pitching for the Rays when he surrendered home runs to Bregman, Jose Altuve and George Springer at Minute Maid Park on June 20.

Eovaldi is known for his staid personality dating back to his emergence at Alvin High School. He does not consider Bregman's dig any more motivating than the task of facing the Astros at Minute Maid Park, which will be a homecoming of sorts for the hard-throwing righthander.

"I still have a job to do," Eovaldi said. "I've got to go out there and pitch my game tomorrow and I can't have any distractions."

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he did not know about the video.

Bregman's video sparked a firestorm on social media that Astros manager A.J. Hinch would not conflate.

"That's the first question I've ever had in my career that had the word 'trolling' in it," Hinch said Monday.

He considered the trolling more playful than boastful, indicative of a generation that is embraced for its effusive celebrations and self-promotion.

"It's good," he said. "Welcome to the current generation. Obviously there's fun banter.

"Is it disrespectful? No. If it crosses a line, if you have to question whether it crosses the line it probably does. And so I don't look any further into that. We want guys to have their personalities, have their fun. Then go out and back it up."