MLB notebook: Red Sox's Sale to start World Series opener

[October 20, 2018]  Boston ace Chris Sale will start the opening game of the World Series on Tuesday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday during a radio interview.

The left-hander was scratched from his second start in the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros due to a stomach illness. Sale last pitched in Saturday's Game 1 loss to Houston.

Cora said that left-hander David Price, who pitched superbly in Thursday's Game 5 ALCS-clinching win over Houston, probably will start Game 2.

Cora said he wants to see who his team will face in the World Series before making the Game 2 starter official. The Los Angeles Dodgers hold a 3-2 edge over the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series heading into Friday's Game 6.

--Major League Baseball announced the schedule for the 2018 World Series, which will begin Tuesday night at Fenway Park in Boston.

With 108 wins during the regular season, the Red Sox led the majors in victories and earned home-field advantage for the World Series.

The first two games will take place in Boston on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the best-of-seven series then shifting to either Milwaukee or Los Angeles for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Saturday. Game 5, if necessary, will take place at the same venue Sunday, with the series shifting back to Boston for two more potential games on Oct. 30-31.

--Joe Girardi has withdrawn his name from consideration for the managerial job of the Cincinnati Reds, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported.

According to a tweet from Rosenthal, Girardi had been Cincinnati's top choice to replace interim skipper Jim Riggleman, who captained the team after the firing of Bryan Price 18 games into last season.

Rosenthal reported that Girardi, who turned 54 last Sunday, plans to remain as an analyst for the MLB Network for the time being, but that he wants to manage again in the future. He led the Florida Marlins in the 2006 season, then managed the New York Yankees from 2008-17.

Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros in game one of the 2018 ALCS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

--San Francisco Giants principal owner Charles B. Johnson released a statement denouncing a controversial ad released by a super PAC that he donated money to.

Johnson, who is believed to own the largest stake in the Giants, gave $1,000 to Black Americans for the President's Agenda, a super PAC based in North Carolina. According to financial disclosures, the donation was made this summer.

The group released an ad in Arkansas that features two women implying Democrats could bring back lynchings if African American voters don't support Republican congressman French Hill as he runs for re-election opposite Democrat Clarke Tucker.

--Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Joe Musgrove underwent surgery to repair an injury to his abdominal wall, the team announced, saying that he likely would be recovered adequately to report to spring training.

Musgrove's season ended with two starts left to go in late September because of an abdominal wall muscle strain and a stress reaction to his pelvic bone. The 25-year-old started 19 games for the Pirates in 2018, posting a 6-9 record with a 4.06 ERA. He struck out 100 batters in 115 1/3 innings.

At the time, the Pirates said Musgrove's injuries required rest, but the pitcher said surgery was a possibility. In their team statement, the Pirates said re-examinations showed "less than the desired amount of clinical healing," and surgery was determined to be the best course of action for recovery for the 2019 season.

--Field Level Media

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