BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale has resumed throwing and says he's ready to pitch Game 1 of the World Series after missing an AL Championship Series start and being hospitalized with an illness.The Boston Red Sox ace also had some fun with reporters while discussing what made him sick.Sale threw a bullpen session during Boston's workout on Saturday and says he will go through his normal routine before taking the mound at Fenway Park for Tuesday's opener against either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the Milwaukee Brewers.Sale was initially slated to pitch Game 5 of the ALCS against Houston but was ruled out after the illness left him weak.He says the ailment was a "stomach thing" and he "just kind of got sick." But he also joked it was caused by irritation from a belly-button ring.Although Sale remained deadpan during the comment, he has not been observed with a pierced navel.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:GAME 7The Dodgers and Brewers meet in an all-or-nothing matchup at Miller Park to decide the NL Championship Series. Los Angeles will start 24-year-old rookie Walker Buehler, who showed flashes of brilliance this season but has not fared well in his two playoff starts. Jhoulys Chacin is set to pitch for Milwaukee — the journeyman had a career year and has done even better in the postseason, pitching 10 1/3 shutout innings in two starts.Brewers manager Craig Counsell counts heavily on his bullpen, and Josh Hader is well rested. The rocket-armed lefty hasn't pitched since Tuesday in Game 4. He wasn't needed Friday night as the Brewers topped the Dodgers 7-2 in Game 6.FALL AT FENWAYBoston works out at Fenway Park for the first time since beating Houston to win its 14th pennant.Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday he's sorted out his rotation for the start of the World Series: Ace Chris Sale will start Tuesday's opener and David Price probably... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Boston ace Chris Sale will start Tuesday's World Series opener and David Price probably will follow in Game 2, Boston manager Alex Cora says.Cora tells WEEI radio he will meet with the team on Saturday to determine the rest of the rotation. Cora says Sale is ready to return after missing his scheduled start in Game 5 of the Championship Series because of a stomach issue that led to a hospital stay.Sale and Price also started the first two games of both the AL Division Series and AL Championship Series. Cora has yet to decide for starters in Games 3 and 4.Price pitched in Sale's place in Game 5 against Houston and won for the first time as a postseason starter. He struck out nine and allowed three hits in six shutout innings during a 4-1 win.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — David Price, at last, looked like a postseason ace. Craig Kimbrel pitched a lockdown inning. And much-maligned Jackie Bradley Jr. became an MVP.Most everything went right for the Red Sox as they sailed into the World Series. Now the big question for Boston: Is everything all right with ace Chris Sale?"We're not perfect. That's the cool thing about this team. We feel that we can keep improving. And we have one more series to go," triumphant manager Alex Cora said Thursday night.On his 43rd birthday, Cora became the first manager from Puerto Rico to take a team to the World Series. The club that led the majors with 108 wins this season eliminated the defending champion Houston Astros with a 4-1 victory, taking the AL Championship Series 4-1.After the Red Sox surrounded Cora in the clubhouse and sang "happy birthday!" to their rookie skipper, they began turning their attention to next week.Game 1 of the World Series is Tuesday night at Fenway Park against the Los Angeles Dodgers... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Sale is set to make his next scheduled start for the Boston Red Sox. And now, he knows that will be in the World Series.Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Sale threw on flat ground again earlier in the day and was feeling better since a stomach illness led to him spending a night in the hospital."So he's ready for his next start," Cora said before Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.Boston's 4-1 victory over the Houston Astros put the Red Sox in the World Series for the first time since 2013. Sale is expected to start the opener Tuesday night at Fenway Park against the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers.Sale was initially slated to pitch Game 5 of the ALCS on Thursday, but was ruled out because the illness left him weak. If the Red Sox had lost, Sale would have been lined up to start a Game 6 back home on Saturday.Instead, his teammates closed out the series, and the lefty ace gets more time to rest and recover.Sale has been regaining strength since his release Monday from Massachusetts General Hospital, where he spent Sunday night for observation.The club hasn't specified Sale's ailment or treatment, though Cora has said it was nothing serious.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora says Chris Sale is set to make his next start, lining up the lefty ace for a potential AL Championship Series clincher or World Series opener.Cora said before Game 5 against Houston on Thursday that Sale threw off flat ground again earlier in the day and was feeling better since the stomach illness that led to him spending a night in a hospital."So he's ready for his next start," Cora said.The next Red Sox game will be home in Fenway Park, either Game 6 against the Astros on Saturday or the World Series opener of Tuesday.Boston led Houston 3-1 in the best-of-seven ALCS.Sale has been regaining strength since his release Monday from Massachusetts General Hospital, where he spent Sunday night for observation.The club hasn't specified Sale's ailment or treatment.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SALE ON HOLDRed Sox ace Chris Sale was still feeling weak and trying to regain lost weight after a stomach illness forced him to spend a night in the hospital after he started the AL Championship Series opener against the Astros. Boston had hoped to start Sale in Game 5 on Thursday night, but instead will give him a couple extra days to recover while planning to pitch him in Game 6 on Saturday in Boston, if necessary. David Price will start in Sale's place Thursday night on three days' rest as the Red Sox try to win the pennant.Sale threw in the outfield for 10-15 minutes Wednesday before Game 4 in Houston, but manager Alex Cora said the lanky left-hander didn't throw a bullpen as planned.Boston leads the best-of-seven set 3-1 and is one win from making its first trip to the World Series since winning the 2013 title. Game 1 winner Justin Verlander is scheduled to pitch for the Astros with their season on the line.DEFENDING CHAMPSThe Astros... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale was still feeling weak Wednesday and won't start Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.Sale threw in the outfield for 10-15 minutes before Game 4 in Houston, but manager Alex Cora said the seven-time All-Star didn't throw a bullpen as planned. David Price will start Thursday night on three days' rest instead.Cora said Sale lost some weight because of a stomach illness that forced him to spend a night in the hospital after the lanky left-hander started the ALCS opener against the Astros."He's feeling better compared to yesterday, but physically he's not there yet," Cora said before Game 4. "So I think if necessary he'll pitch Game 6. He feels that he'll be ready for that one. And we'll go from there."With Price warming up in the bullpen in case he was needed in relief, the Red Sox held on for an 8-6 victory Wednesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 6, if necessary, would be Saturday night in Boston.Dave Dombrowski, the... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale was still feeling weak Wednesday and won't start Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.Sale threw in the outfield for 10-15 minutes before Game 4 in Houston, but manager Alex Cora said he didn't throw a bullpen session as planned. David Price will start Thursday instead.Cora said the lanky lefty ace was still feeling weak and had lost some weight because of a stomach illness that forced him to spend a night in a hospital after he started the ALCS opener against the Astros."He's feeling better compared to yesterday, but physically he's not there yet," Cora said before Game 4. "So I think if necessary he'll pitch Game 6. He feels that he'll be ready for that one. And we'll go from there."The Red Sox got an 8-6 win in Game 4 on Wednesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 6, if necessary, would be Saturday night in Boston.Dave Dombrowski, the team's president of baseball operations, said Sale told him that "he's fine and he'll... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:SALE ON HOLDRed Sox ace Chris Sale is still feeling weak and trying to regain lost weight after a stomach illness forced him to spend a night in the hospital after he started the ALCS opener against the Astros. Boston had hoped to start Sale in Game 5 on Thursday night, but instead will give him a couple extra days to recover while planning to pitch him in Game 6 on Saturday, if necessary.Sale threw in the outfield for 10-15 minutes Wednesday before Game 4 in Houston, but manager Alex Cora said the lanky left-hander didn't throw a bullpen as planned. Cora didn't announce a starter for Game 5, adding that decision would be dictated by the outcome of Game 4. Options include Game 2 starter David Price, Eduardo Rodriguez or Joe Kelly.Game 1 winner Justin Verlander is scheduled to pitch for the Astros.DEFENDING CHAMPSThe Astros are still under scrutiny, even after Major League Baseball absolved the World Series champions of any wrongdoing... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale was still feeling weak Wednesday and won't start Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.Sale threw in the outfield for 10-15 minutes before Game 4 in Houston, but manager Alex Cora said he didn't throw a bullpen session as planned.Cora said the lanky lefty ace was still feeling weak and had lost some weight because of a stomach illness that forced him to spend a night in a hospital after he started the ALCS opener against the Astros."He's feeling better compared to yesterday, but physically he's not there yet," Cora said before Game 4. "So I think if necessary he'll pitch Game 6. He feels that he'll be ready for that one. And we'll go from there."The Red Sox took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series into Wednesday night's game. Game 6, if necessary, would be Saturday night in Boston.Dave Dombrowski, the team's president of baseball operations, said Sale told him that "he's fine and he'll be ready to go on Saturday."Cora didn't announce a starter... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora says lefty ace Chris Sale is still feeling weak and won't start in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series against Houston.Cora said before Game 4 on Wednesday that the lanky left-hander lost weight because of the stomach illness that led to him spending a night in a hospital after starting the ALCS opener. Sale started feeling ill right after the game and went to a hospital early Sunday morning.Sale rejoined the team Tuesday in Houston but hasn't yet thrown a bullpen session. The club hasn't specified the ailment or treatment, though Cora has said it was nothing serious.The Red Sox haven't announced a starter for Game 5 on Thursday night, and Cora says that decision will be dictated by the outcome of Game 4.Cora says Sale is feeling better and like he'd be ready for Game 6 in Boston on Saturday night, if necessary.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Sale is back with the Boston Red Sox and says he feels well enough to pitch. Whether he'll start Game 5 of the AL Championship Series remains to be seen.Sale returned to the team Tuesday in Houston after being hospitalized for a stomach illness. The club hasn't specified the ailment or treatment, though manager Alex Cora said it was nothing serious."This is what he said: 'I'm good enough,'" Cora said Tuesday night after the Red Sox beat the Houston Astros 8-2 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.Cora said before the game that Sale, the potential starter Thursday night, might throw a bullpen during Game 3. That didn't happen, but the lefty ace is expected to work off a mound Wednesday before Game 4."He'll go out there tomorrow. And then we'll go from there," Cora said.When players for both teams were introduced before the first series game in Houston, Sale lined up with the Red Sox along the third-base line. The seven-time All-Star started the series opener... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox were still unsure Tuesday when Chris Sale would be available to pitch again, but the lefty ace was back with the team for Game 3 of the AL Championship Series.When players for both teams were introduced before the first series game in Houston, Sale lined up with the Red Sox along the third-base line. Sale started the series opener but missed Game 2 and didn't travel with the team after being hospitalized for a stomach illness.Speaking earlier, Boston manager Alex Cora said Sale would go to the training room when he arrived. Cora also said Sale might throw a bullpen session, possibly during the game against the Astros."I don't know how he feels, if he feels weak or whatever. But we'll know," Cora said then.Sale, the potential Red Sox starter for Game 5 on Thursday night, was released Monday from Massachusetts General Hospital. He was hospitalized Sunday night for observation for what the team has called a stomach illness."First and foremost, we care about... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox were still unsure Tuesday when lefty ace Chris Sale would be available to pitch again.Speaking before Game 3 of the AL Championship Series, Boston manager Alex Cora said Sale was still on his way to the ballpark and would go to the training room when he arrived. The manager also said Sale might throw a bullpen session, possibly during the game against the Houston Astros."I haven't talked to him today, so I don't know how he feels, if he feels weak or whatever. But we'll know," Cora said.Sale, the potential Red Sox starter for Game 5 on Thursday night, was released Monday from Massachusetts General Hospital. He was hospitalized Sunday night for observation for what the team has called a stomach illness."First and foremost, we care about his health and how he's doing. Once we found out he was doing OK, we just wait until he gets back and talk to him," said Rick Porcello, the Red Sox starter for Game 4. "None of us really know what happened."The team hasn't specified the ailment or treatment. Cora said Sale started feeling ill and throwing up after starting the series opener Saturday night at Fenway Park, then went to the hospital early Sunday morning. The manager said it was nothing serious.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox say they aren't sure when lefty ace Chris Sale will be available to pitch.Speaking Tuesday before Game 3 of the AL Championship Series, Boston manager Alex Cora says Sale was still on his way to the ballpark and would go to the training room when he arrived. The manager also says Sale might throw a bullpen session, possibly during the game against the Houston Astros.Sale, the potential Red Sox starter for Game 5 on Thursday night, was released Monday from Massachusetts General Hospital. He was hospitalized Sunday night for observation for what the team has called a stomach illness.The team hasn't specified the ailment or treatment. Cora says Sale started feeling ill and throwing up after starting the series opener Saturday night at Fenway Park, then went to the hospital early Sunday morning. The manager says it was nothing serious.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:NO BOTHERRed Sox manager Alex Cora is brushing off the notion that Boston might be motivated for Game 3 of the AL Championship Series by a brazen social media post Monday from Astros star Alex Bregman. Houston's third baseman shared a video on Instagram of his club hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs off Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi during a game in June captioned "lil pregame video work." Eovaldi was with Tampa Bay at the time and allowed a career-high four homers in a 5-1 loss. Eovaldi will oppose Dallas Keuchel as the series shifts to Houston.Astros manager AJ Hinch had no issue with the online barb but implored Bregman to "go out and back it up." Eovaldi didn't seem bothered by the video, saying he doesn't have social media, and Cora dismissed the idea that the post will give the Red Sox any added push."If you need motivation in Game 3 of the ALCS, you better check yourself," he said. "Because you win three more games, you go to... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:NO BOTHERRed Sox manager Alex Cora is brushing off the notion that Boston might be motivated for Game 3 of the AL Championship Series by a brazen social media post Monday from Astros star Alex Bregman. Houston's third baseman shared a video on Instagram of his club hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs off Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi during a game in June captioned "lil pregame video work." Eovaldi was with Tampa Bay at the time and allowed a career-high four homers in a 5-1 loss. Eovaldi will oppose Dallas Keuchel as the series shifts to Houston.Astros manager AJ Hinch had no issue with the online barb but implored Bregman to "go out and back it up." Eovaldi didn't seem bothered by the video, saying he doesn't have social media, and Cora dismissed the idea that the post will give the Red Sox any added push."If you need motivation in Game 3 of the ALCS, you better check yourself," he said. "Because you win three more games, you go... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros are brimming with confidence, even after a Game 2 AL Championship Series defeat to the Boston Red Sox.For proof, just see Bregman's social media feed.Hours after Boston beat Houston 7-5 to even the best-of-seven series at a game each, Bregman shared video Monday on Instagram of the Astros hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs against Game 3 Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi from a game in June."Lil pregame video work," he wrote.Eovaldi will oppose Dallas Keuchel in Houston on Tuesday after Rick Porcello was used in relief during Game 2, when the Astros took their first loss of the postseason. Eovaldi's previous start against the Astros didn't go well. The right-hander allowed seven hits and four runs in a 5-1 loss June 20 while with Tampa Bay, including a season-high four homers.Three of those were hit in succession by George Springer, Bregman and Jose Altuve in the sixth inning.The Astros didn't work out Monday, so the brazen 24-year-old... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale will be back with his teammates for Game 3 of the AL Championship Series after an overnight stay in a hospital because of a stomach illness.Boston said it planned to wait until he rejoins the team in Houston on Tuesday before deciding when the lanky lefty will get back on the mound."Everything's fine," manager Alex Cora said before the Red Sox held a brief workout on Monday night. "So we'll see how he feels physically, and then after that we'll decide what we're going to do."Sale was released Monday from Massachusetts General Hospital, where he had gone because of a stomach illness after he pitched in the series opener at Fenway Park. He was hospitalized Sunday night for observation and did not travel with the team to Houston.Cora said Sale will be in Houston before Game 3 of the best-of-seven series."It's great. I think we're all more concerned for his personal well-being and not necessarily the team," right fielder Mookie Betts said. "So to... [More]