Bill Koch

Tuesday

Oct 23, 2018 at 9:50 PM

BOSTON — The lone change to the Red Sox roster for the World Series involved a pitcher who hasn’t appeared in a game since Sept. 30.

Drew Pomeranz was added to the 25-man group in place of Brandon Workman, with Boston looking for a second left-handed option in its bullpen. Pomeranz missed out in both the A.L. Division Series against the Yankees and the A.L. Championship Series against the Astros, but Workman failed to secure his spot through three disappointing appearances. Pomeranz now teams with Eduardo Rodriguez to mix and match against left-handed hitting Dodgers thumpers Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and Joc Pederson and the switch-hitting Yasmani Grandal.

“I do feel, if it’s the series everybody expects, he’s going to give us a big out,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “He’s throwing the ball well, actually. He’s worked very hard the last two weeks, three weeks.

“He threw that live [batting practice, on Monday] and velocity was up finally — we’ve been looking for that the whole season. We’re seeing 93, 94 [mph]. As you guys know, although we didn’t say it during the season, that’s a big difference with him when he’s throwing that hard.”

Pomeranz allowed just four extra-base hits to left-handers — all doubles — in 72 plate appearances in 2018. Knuckleballer Steven Wright and left-hander Bobby Poyner were also in the mix to replace Workman, who was ripped by opposing hitters to the tune of an eye-popping 2.169 OPS this postseason.

“It took us a while,” Cora said. “We talked about it two nights ago. We talked about it last night. Then late last night, we made the decision.”

Pomeranz has made three career playoff appearances with Boston, his last in 2017 when he started and lost Game 2 of the ALDS against Houston. The Astros were a predominantly right-handed lineup, but Los Angeles figures to deploy its four left-handed bats against potential Red Sox starters Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello. The Dodgers listed nine right-handed hitters to open against Chris Sale in Tuesday’s Game 1.

“We’re pretty straightforward,” Cora said. “If we have the lead in the sixth — and hopefully Chris goes six, or whatever he can give us — we know where we’re going. They’re going to bring those lefties.”

Betts at second?

With two days of roster discussions in his rear-view mirror, Cora seemed a bit less bullish on the idea of playing Mookie Betts at second base when the series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Friday’s Game 3.

The Red Sox will lose the luxury of the designated hitter under National League rules, and J.D. Martinez will be forced to play a corner outfield spot. Speculation leading up to the series involved Betts potentially returning to the position where Boston drafted him as a Tennessee high schooler in 2011 and developed him as a minor-leaguer.

“Very slim,” Cora said of the chances Betts appears in the infield. “But he’s prepared. He’s the best defensive right fielder in the big leagues. He’s not going to be the best defensive second baseman in the big leagues.”

Jackie Bradley Jr. or Andrew Benintendi figure to make way to shoehorn Martinez into the lineup. Betts could move to center field in place of Bradley with Martinez in right. Betts could also remain in right field should Martinez go to left in place of Benintendi.

“We start moving a lot of parts — obviously, offensively, we can keep everybody together,” Cora said. “But at the same time, is it worth it?”

Devers faces lefty

Rafael Devers earned the Game 1 start at third base for the Red Sox one day shy of his 22nd birthday.

Devers matched up left-left with Los Angeles starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, and in terms of career splits, it was a relatively neutral meeting. Devers has an OPS just three points higher against right-handed pitchers — .761 to .758 — and Kerhsaw has held left-handed hitters to a career OPS just 14 points lower than right-handers at .562.

“Throughout the years, it’s not that [Kershaw is] a reverse-split guy but there are some trends,” Cora said. “I think as far as the way he attacks hitters and where he attacks hitters, it’s a good matchup for us.”

The Dodgers counted 109 regular-season home runs on their bench while avoiding Sale, who holds left-handers to a career .519 OPS. Mike Moustakas was the last left-hander to take him deep in June 2017, as Sale has allowed just 11 homers in 1,183 career regular-season plate appearances in left-left matchups.

Around the bases

Workman’s exclusion left 21 of 50 players on the two rosters with World Series experience. Xander Bogaerts (2013) is the lone Boston player to actually appear with the club while David Price (Rays, 2008), Ian Kinsler (Rangers, 2010 and 2011), Mitch Moreland (Rangers, 2010 and 2011), Rick Porcello (Tigers, 2012) and Joe Kelly (Cardinals, 2013) have reached the Fall Classic with other franchises. The bulk of the Dodgers with experience — 13 of 15 — finished runner-up to the Astros last season. ... Tony La Russa captured the second of his three championships as a manager 12 years ago Tuesday. La Russa and the Cardinals beat the Tigers in five games, and he joined Sparky Anderson (Reds, Tigers) as one of the two managers to win the World Series as a skipper in each league. La Russa now serves as Red Sox vice president and special assistant to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. ... Tuesday also marked the 73rd anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s contract signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson broke the color line and was N.L. Rookie of the Year in 1947. He went on to be a six-time All-Star, the N.L. Most Valuable Player in 1949 and a member of the last Brooklyn team to win a championship in 1955.

— bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25

Red Sox Journal: Velocity increase gets Pomeranz a seat in the pen

Tuesday