ALDS Red Sox Notebook: Wholesale lineup changes unlikely

NEW YORK --  After the Red Sox exploded for five runs in the first three innings in Game 1 Friday night, the offense has been stagnant -- shutout over the final five innings in Game 1 and limited to just two runs in Game 2 Saturday.

But don't expect Alex Cora to use that as an excuse to make wholesale changes to the Red Sox lineup for Game 3.

"I knew that question was coming,'' said a smiling Cora during an off-day press conference at Yankee Stadium. "I'll go to experience from the World Series last year. That's something I learned -- be patient. It's such a small sample size that people get caught up on the whole small sample sizes. I always said that the difference between a .300 hitter in the postseason and a .200 hitter is 2-for-10 and 3-for-10 and one swing.

"So we go with the quality at-bats. We know we have to swing the bat better. I think (Saturday) we were too aggressive outside the zone and we don't do that often, so credit to (Yankee starter Masahiro) Tanaka. We'll see. We'll think about it tonight. We'll talk as a staff and we'll go from there.''

Cora has some options off the bench. He could go with the lefthanded Rafael Devers over Eduardo Nunez at third against righty starter Luis Severino. And he could opt for lefty Brock Holt over Ian Kinsler at second base.

But the numbers don't support that: Devers and Holt have exactly one hit between them in 27 at-bats against Severino, with 11 strikeouts.

One switch that could be made: catcher Christian Vazquez over Sandy Leon, who has been struggling mightily with the bat, behind the plate. Leon is 0-for-5 with a sacrifice in the series to date.

"We'll see,'' said Cora. "We've got to score runs, too, and that's something we've been talking about for a while. It's not on Sandy only. Everybody has to get going. We'll talk about it today and make a decision.''

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The Red Sox are still monitoring Mitch Moreland's hamstring strain to determine his availability for Game 3 Monday.

"He's OK,'' said Cora. "He's getting treatment, aggressive treatment. We'll know a little bit more after all his rounds of whatever -- steam and all that stuff he goes on. Then we'll talk to (the training staff) and go from there.''

Cora reiterated that the Red Sox do not anticipate taking him off the roster for the remainder of the series, as they were forced to do Saturday with pitcher Steven Wright.

Moreland strained his right hamstring scoring from first on a double in the seventh inning of Saturday's loss. He was replaced by Steve Pearce for the final two innings.

With Severino set to start Game 3 for the Yankees, Moreland would ordinarily be the likely choice to play first base. But much will depend on how he progresses physically before gametime.

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David Price won't get another start in this series, but that doesn't mean he won't pitch again. The Sox could use him in relief, a role in which he succeeded last October against Houston.

"I've got to talk to him,'' said Cora. "He's not here today. We'll talk. Obviously, we need outs. Me and Dana (LeVangie, pitching coach) were just talking about him and a few things that we noticed over the last few weeks that he's not doing the way he did in those 11 outings (after the All-Star break). I know physically he's fine and we know where we're going. So most likely, we'll use him in some spot, yeah.''

Cora said he planned to speak with Price Sunday night and determine how quickly he might be available.

"If it's (Monday), it's (Monday),'' said Cora. "If it's Game 4, it's Game 4.''

Despite the pounding Price took, Cora remains a believer in his pitcher.

"I know he'll be better,'' said Cora. "I know he's going to contribute. Whenever we call his name, he has to be ready for it and perform.''

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Cora acknowledged that Eduardo Rodriguez should have shown better instincts and hustle in the seventh inning. Aaron Judge hit a chopper to the right side which Moreland fielded to the right of first base. But Rodriguez didn't react quickly to get to first to take a throw from the first baseman and when he did make his move, it was at less than full speed.

"I just talked to him and told him, 'Just be accountable,' '' Cora said. "That's it' I guess he told you guys he slipped or something like that. I'm like, 'Man, if you don't break right away, just be accountable. That's all we ask.' And he's like, 'Yeah, my fault. I just didn't break.' That's it. I get it. Next time, just bust your ass to first base. That's all you've got to do.

The thing is, I look at the play and it's not guaranteed that (Judge) is going to be out (if Rodriguez broke quicker), but we probably have a chance. And where we're at right now at this stage, we can't take plays off. We didn't so that the whole season. It just happened (Saturday). But I talked to him and we're on the same page. Hopefully, the next ground ball to first, he goes to first and we get him.''