LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hard to believe now, all these wins later, but the Alex Cora Era in Boston began with a loss. A brutal one, in fact.Opening day at Tropicana Field in late March, none of his late moves worked out as the bullpen blew a big lead in a 6-4 setback.No fan in New England would admit it now — still, chances are some had already started to wonder whether he was the right guy for the Red Sox."It's baseball," Cora reassured that afternoon. "We know it's going to happen. ... I guess get it out of the way right away."Yep, guess so.A calming presence in a boiling sports cauldron, Cora capped off one of the greatest runs by a first-year skipper in leading Boston to the World Series championship.His Cora-nation came Sunday night, when the Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5.The victory set off celebrations all over.While throngs of Red Sox fans rooted from the seats and so many more reveled across the country, all of Puerto Rico certainly cheered its native son from Caguas.Cora... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Alex Cora had an idea before his rookie season as a big league manager: to hang a picture in his clubhouse office from each Red Sox victory. Team photographer Billie Weiss eyeballed the wall behind a couch and figured there would be room for about 100."We figured we'll start with that and then go from there," Weiss said this week, taking a break from shooting the team's pre-World Series workout to explain how the project, like the Red Sox season, has expanded beyond anyone's expectations.The original array, with 11 columns of nine 8-by-12-inch photos each, filled up in early September. More photos went up behind the TV as the Red Sox cruised to an AL East title and a franchise-record 108 victories. Next to Cora's desk were seven more photos from the AL playoffs, including a matched pair of the team posing on the field after series-clinching victories in New York and Houston.They should've picked a bigger space.Like maybe Fenway Park's 37-foot-high Green Monster."Not enough... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Don't look for Dustin Pedroia and Chase Utley to be turning any double plays during this World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.But the presence of both has already had an impact on the clubhouses of the two teams looking to add to their already rich trophy cases.With 10 All-Star appearances and three championship rings between them, Pedroia and Utley are two of the premier second basemen of their generation, each earning revered status that exceeds their stats and awards.Pedroia has spent his entire career in Boston, winning championships with the Red Sox in 2007 and 2013. Utley started his career in Philadelphia and spurred the Phillies team that won it all in 2008.But with a knee injury sidelining Pedroia and age slowing down Utley as he approaches 40, they have embraced the unfamiliar role of baseball elder this time around."I don't think either one of us will be getting any at-bats in this Series. So, we're similar in that way," Utley joked on... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Most players are questioned ahead of their World Series debuts. Manny Machado was cross-examined.October's villain is especially despised at Fenway Park for planting his spikes into Dustin Pedroia in April 2017 . The Boston second baseman hasn't been the same."That's old history," Machado said Monday, deflector shields raised.He's Manny the Masher, Manny the Miscreant and Macho Manny all in one, whacking baseballs, opponents and questions.Wearing a blue Los Angeles Dodgers World Series hoodie and gray pants, arms crossed, he sat between teammates Yasiel Puig and Ross Stripling, surrounded by a scrum of inquirers in the Pavilion Room on the 106-year-old ballpark's fourth level. Even with stubble on his chin and lips, Machado's face looked boyish. His hair was styled into cornrows at the top and a crew cut on the side.With hard slides at second base against Milwaukee and a foot planted on the heel of Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar , Machado acquired notoriety far exceeding... [More]

A position-by-position look at the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox going into the World Series, starting Tuesday night at Fenway Park:___First Base:Dodgers: David Freese or Max Muncy. One of several spots where Los Angeles platoons based on matchups. Freese, a proven postseason performer, figures to face left-handers Chris Sale and David Price early in the Series. Freese was MVP of the 2011 World Series and NLCS with St. Louis. He had a homer and five RBIs in 10 playoff at-bats this year. Muncy, who was released by Oakland and spent 2017 in the minors, became one of baseball's biggest surprises this season with 35 home runs and a .973 OPS. He batted .182 with two homers, 10 walks and 18 strikeouts in 11 playoff games.Red Sox: Steve Pearce or Mitch Moreland. The underappreciated Pearce has played for seven big league teams, including all five in the AL East. He hammers left-handed pitching, which could really come in handy against a Dodgers team with three southpaw starters. Moreland,... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 28, at Los Angeles, 8:15 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Boston, 8:09 p.m. (All games on FOX).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Did not play.___Projected Lineups:Dodgers: 1B-DH David Freese (.282, 9 HRs, 42 RBIs with Pirates; .385, 2, 9 with Dodgers) or 1B-2B-DH Max Muncy (.263, 35, 79, .973 OPS), 3B Justin Turner (.312, 14, 52), SS Manny Machado (.315, 24, 65, .963 OPS with Orioles; .273, 13, 42, .825 OPS with Dodgers), CF-1B Cody Bellinger (.260, 25, 76, 151 Ks in 162 games), LF Chris Taylor (.254, 17, 63, team-high 178 Ks in 155 games) or Joc Pederson (.248, 25, 56) or Matt Kemp (.290, 21, 85, 115 Ks in 146 games), RF Yasiel... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 28, at Los Angeles, 8:15 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Boston, 8:09 p.m. (All games on FOX).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Did not play.___Projected Lineups:Dodgers: 1B-DH David Freese (.282, 9 HRs, 42 RBIs with Pirates; .385, 2, 9 with Dodgers) or 1B-2B-DH Max Muncy (.263, 35, 79, .973 OPS), 3B Justin Turner (.312, 14, 52), SS Manny Machado (.315, 24, 65, .963 OPS with Orioles; .273, 13, 42, .825 OPS with Dodgers), CF-1B Cody Bellinger (.260, 25, 76, 151 Ks in 162 games), LF Chris Taylor (.254, 17, 63, team-high 178 Ks in 155 games) or Joc Pederson (.248, 25, 56) or Matt Kemp (.290, 21, 85, 115 Ks in 146 games), RF Yasiel... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 28, at Los Angeles, 8:15 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Boston, 8:09 p.m. (All games on FOX).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Did not play.___Projected Lineups:Dodgers: 1B-DH David Freese (.282, 9 HRs, 42 RBIs with Pirates; .385, 2, 9 with Dodgers) or 1B-2B-DH Max Muncy (.263, 35, 79, .973 OPS), 3B Justin Turner (.312, 14, 52), SS Manny Machado (.315, 24, 65, .963 OPS with Orioles; .273, 13, 42, .825 OPS with Dodgers), CF-1B Cody Bellinger (.260, 25, 76, 151 Ks in 162 games), LF Chris Taylor (.254, 17, 63, team-high 178 Ks in 155 games) or Joc Pederson (.248, 25, 56) or Matt Kemp (.290, 21, 85, 115 Ks in 146 games), RF Yasiel... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 28, at Los Angeles, 8:15 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Boston, 8:09 p.m. (All games on FOX).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Did not play.___Projected Lineups:Dodgers: 1B-DH David Freese (.282, 9 HRs, 42 RBIs with Pirates; .385, 2, 9 with Dodgers) or 1B-2B-DH Max Muncy (.263, 35, 79, .958 OPS), 3B Justin Turner (.312, 14, 52), SS Manny Machado (.315, 24, 65, .963 OPS with Orioles; .273, 13, 42, .825 OPS with Dodgers), CF-1B Cody Bellinger (.260, 25, 76, 151 Ks in 162 games), LF Chris Taylor (.254, 17, 63, team-high 178 Ks in 155 games) or Joc Pederson (.248, 25, 56) or Matt Kemp (.290, 21, 85, 115 Ks in 146 games), RF Yasiel... [More]

Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and the Boys of Summer. Ted Williams to Yaz and the Impossible Dream.Manny Ramirez. Pedro Martinez. Bill Buckner.Fenway Franks and Dodger Dogs. Ebbets Field, the Green Monster. "Sweet Caroline" or "I Love L.A."Yet for all their rich history — dating back to Babe Ruth on the mound — the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers have rarely crossed paths heading into this World Series. Only once before in October, and that was more than a century ago.In fact, Clayton Kershaw has never even pitched at Fenway Park.Consider this: Going into Game 1 on Tuesday night, the Dodgers have beaten the Red Sox in Boston just one time.That came on June 12, 2004. And guess who scored and drove in a run for the Dodgers during that 14-5 romp?Alex Cora, now the rookie manager of the Red Sox. One of his teammates that afternoon — Dave Roberts, ready to lead Los Angeles into its second straight Fall Classic."Two storied franchises, that draw more interest," Red Sox second baseman Ian... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Los Angeles, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 28, at Los Angeles, 8:15 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.x-if necessary.___Season Series: Did not play.___Projected Lineups:Dodgers: 1B-DH David Freese (.282, 9 HRs, 42 RBIs with Pirates; .385, 2, 9 with Dodgers) or 1B-2B-DH Max Muncy (.263, 35, 79, .958 OPS), 3B Justin Turner (.312, 14, 52), SS Manny Machado (.315, 24, 65, .963 OPS with Orioles; .273, 13, 42, .825 OPS with Dodgers), CF-1B Cody Bellinger (.260, 25, 76, 151 Ks in 162 games), LF Chris Taylor (.254, 17, 63, team-high 178 Ks in 155 games) or Joc Pederson (.248, 25, 56) or Matt Kemp (.290, 21, 85, 115 Ks in 146 games), RF Yasiel Puig (.267, 23, 63),... [More]

Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and the Boys of Summer. Ted Williams to Yaz and the Impossible Dream.Manny Ramirez. Pedro Martinez. Bill Buckner.Fenway Franks and Dodger Dogs. Ebbets Field, the Green Monster. "Sweet Caroline" or "I Love L.A."Yet for all their rich history — dating back to Babe Ruth on the mound — the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers have rarely crossed paths heading into this World Series. Only once before in October, and that was more than a century ago.In fact, Clayton Kershaw has never even pitched at Fenway Park.Consider this: Going into Game 1 on Tuesday night, the Dodgers have beaten the Red Sox in Boston just one time.That came on June 12, 2004. And guess who scored and drove in a run for the Dodgers during that 14-5 romp?Alex Cora, now the rookie manager of the Red Sox. One of his teammates that afternoon — Dave Roberts, ready to lead Los Angeles into its second straight Fall Classic."It's great for baseball," Roberts said. "Two storied franchises going head-to-head.... [More]

Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and the Boys of Summer. Ted Williams to Yaz and the Impossible Dream.Manny Ramirez. Pedro Martinez. Bill Buckner.Fenway Franks and Dodger Dogs. Ebbets Field, the Green Monster. "Sweet Caroline" or "I Love L.A."Yet for all their rich history — dating back to Babe Ruth on the mound — the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers have rarely crossed paths heading into this World Series. Only once before in October, and that was more than a century ago.In fact, Clayton Kershaw has never even pitched at Fenway Park.Consider this: Going into Game 1 on Tuesday night, the Dodgers have beaten the Red Sox in Boston just one time.That came on June 12, 2004. And guess who scored and drove in a run for the Dodgers during that 14-5 romp?Alex Cora, now the rookie manager of the Red Sox. One of his teammates that afternoon — Dave Roberts, ready to lead Los Angeles into its second straight Fall Classic."It's great for baseball," Roberts said. "Two storied franchises going head-to-head.... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — With a championship at stake, AL MVP favorite Mookie Betts is ready to do anything manager Alex Cora asks.Even if that means dusting off his infielder's mitt.Cora said Saturday he might use the Gold Glove right fielder at second base during the World Series, a move that would make space in the lineup for slugger J.D. Martinez when the series shifts to Dodger Stadium.Martinez has two homers and nine RBIs as Boston's designated hitter this postseason, and when Boston loses the DH under National League rules in Los Angeles, Cora has to find a spot for him on the field. His best position is right field, but that's also where Betts has played while winning two straight Gold Gloves.So Betts may be moving to the dirt."A.C. has never steered us wrong," Betts said. "Naturally, if he trusts me then I should believe in myself. That's what it takes to win. I'll do whatever."Boston learned its World Series opponent Saturday night when the Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 in Game... [More]

Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and the Boys of Summer. Ted Williams to Yaz and the Impossible Dream.Manny Ramirez. Pedro Martinez. Bill Buckner.Fenway Franks and Dodger Dogs. Ebbets Field, the Green Monster. "Sweet Caroline" or "I Love L.A."Yet for all their rich history — dating back to Babe Ruth on the mound — the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers have rarely crossed paths heading into this World Series. Only once before in October, and that was more than a century ago.In fact, Clayton Kershaw has never even pitched at Fenway Park.Consider this: Going into Game 1 on Tuesday night, the Dodgers have beaten the Red Sox in Boston just one time.That came on June 12, 2004. And guess who scored and drove in a run for the Dodgers during that 14-5 romp?Alex Cora, now the rookie manager of the Red Sox. One of his teammates that afternoon — Dave Roberts, ready to lead Los Angeles into its second straight Fall Classic.Roberts is sure to draw a big cheer when the teams line up for pregame introductions.... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — With a championship at stake, MVP favorite Mookie Betts is ready to do anything manager Alex Cora asks.Even if that means dusting off his infielder's mitt.Cora said Saturday he may use the Gold Glove Award-winning right fielder at second base during the World Series, a move that would make space for slugger J.D. Martinez when the series shifts to an NL park.Martinez has two homers and nine RBIs as Boston's designated hitter this postseason, and when Boston loses the DH for games either at Los Angeles or Milwaukee, Cora has to find space for him on the field. His best position is right field, but that's also where Betts has played while winning two straight Gold Gloves.So Betts may be moving to the dirt."A.C. has never steered us wrong," Betts said. "Naturally, if he trusts me then I should believe in myself. That's what it takes to win. I'll do whatever."Boston was set to learn its World Series opponent Saturday night when the Dodgers and Brewers played Game 7 of the NL Championship... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers star Manny Machado has been fined by Major League Baseball for kicking Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar in the NL Championship Series.MLB fined Machado an undisclosed amount Wednesday, a day after the baserunning incident caused the benches to clear at Dodger Stadium and prompted Brewers MVP candidate Christian Yelich to call Machado a "dirty player.""I don't think we're too concerned about any other teams' comments about our players," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday before Game 5. "I know speaking for Manny, he's preparing to help us win. It's really not at the forefront of our mind."Machado was running to first on a grounder in the 10th inning of Game 4, and Aguilar left his right foot partly across the base for a moment after catching the ball. Already out, Machado brought his left foot forward and kicked Aguilar in the back of the leg."He's a player that has a history of those types of incidents," Yelich said. "One time is an accident. Repeated... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers star Manny Machado has been fined by Major League Baseball for kicking Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar in the NL Championship Series.MLB fined Machado an undisclosed amount on Wednesday, a day after the baserunning incident caused the benches to clear at Dodger Stadium and prompted Brewers MVP candidate Christian Yelich to call Machado a "dirty player."Machado was running to first on a grounder in the 10th inning of Game 4 and Aguilar left his foot partly across the base for a moment after catching the ball. Already out, Machado brought his back foot forward and kicked Aguilar in the back of the leg.Machado, whose late slide last year injured Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia, has been checked a couple times in this NLCS because of close slides into second.Machado gave Aguilar a brief hug after hitting a single in the 13th inning. The Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop later scored the winning run, sliding home to give Los Angeles a 2-1 win that evened the NLCS at two games each.Game 5 in the best-of-seven series was Wednesday.The players' union declined comment on Machado's fine.___More AP MLB: www.apnews.com/tag/MLB and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Manny Machado has stepped into trouble again, causing at least one opponent to call him "a dirty player."Both benches cleared after the Los Angeles Dodgers' star shortstop clipped the back leg of Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar while running out his groundout Tuesday night in the 10th inning of Game 4 of the NL Championship Series.Aguilar left his foot on the base for a moment after Machado was already out, and the star shortstop appeared to show his displeasure by bringing his left foot forward and kicking Aguilar on the back of the leg.The incident immediately took the top spot on the growing list of Machado's debatable decisions in baseball ethics."He's a player that has a history of those types of incidents," Milwaukee slugger Christian Yelich said. "One time is an accident. Repeated over and over and over again, you're just a dirty player. It's a dirty play by a dirty player, and that's what it is. I have a lot of respect for him as a player, but you can't... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Manny Machado has stepped into trouble again, causing at least one opponent to call him "a dirty player."Both benches cleared after the Los Angeles Dodgers' star shortstop clipped the back leg of Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar while running out his groundout Tuesday night in the 10th inning of Game 4 of the NL Championship Series.Aguilar left his foot on the base for a moment after Machado was already out, and the star shortstop appeared to show his displeasure by bringing his left foot forward and kicking Aguilar on the back of the leg.The incident immediately took the top spot on the growing list of Machado's debatable decisions in baseball ethics."He's a player that has a history of those types of incidents," Milwaukee slugger Christian Yelich said. "One time is an accident. Repeated over and over and over again, you're just a dirty player. It's a dirty play by a dirty player, and that's what it is. I have a lot of respect for him as a player, but you can't... [More]