Boston

Devers to the Bench for Game 3, Nunez to Start at Third for Red Sox

Despite providing an offensive spark on Sunday night, Rafael Devers will start Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on the bench for the Boston Red Sox.

Eduardo Nunez will start at third base over the left-handed hitting Devers against Houston Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel. Devers was 2 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI in the Red Sox's 7-5 victory in Game 2.

For the Astros, six-time All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve is scheduled to be the designated hitter in the playoffs for the first time. Altuve bruised his right knee earlier in the playoffs and it is still bothering him.

Altuve will still bat second against the Red Sox and right-hander Nathan Eolvadi. Marwin Gonzalez, who played left field in the first two games, moves to second base. Tony Kemp will play left.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox said they aren't sure when lefty ace Chris Sale will be available to pitch again.

Speaking before Game 3, 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 Tuesday's game.

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 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.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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