BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):9:10 p.m.The Dodgers are liking this designated hitter thing.Los Angeles DH Matt Kemp homered in the top of the second inning on Tuesday night to cut Boston's lead in Game 1 of the World Series to 2-1. The 34-year-old spent most of his time as an outfielder in the NL this season but also played five games as DH, batting .389 with a homer in 18 at-bats.The designated hitter is used in the AL parks only in interleague play, including the World Series.Kemp hit a 3-2 pitch from Chris Sale 389 feet into the front row of the Green Monster Seats. Perhaps a bigger problem for Boston is that Sale needed 51 pitches to get through two innings.Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw was at 37 pitches, thanks in part to an inning-ending double play after Boston put runners on first and third in the bottom of the second.___8:45 p.m.Run-scoring singles by Andrew Benintendi and J.D. Martinez against Clayton Kershaw in the first inning gave the Boston... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8:45 p.m.Run-scoring singles by Andrew Benintendi and J.D. Martinez against Clayton Kershaw in the first inning gave the Boston Red Sox a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series opener.Chris Sale pitched a one-hit top of the first, allowing a two-out single to David Freese before retiring Manny Machado on a flyout.After Freese allowed Mookie Betts' foul pop behind first to fall on a blustery night, Betts led off the bottom half with a single, stole second and scored on Benintendi's single to right.Yasiel Puig's throw home had little chance to catch Betts, and Benintendi took second on the toss. One out later, Martinez singled past a diving Machado at shortstop, and Benintendi came home without a play as Kershaw looked on in disgust.___8:30 p.m.The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to start nine right-handed batters in a World Series game, none of them switch-hitters.There were 20 previous instances... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):7:55 p.m.Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts received a big cheer from the Boston fans when he was introduced before Game 1 of the World Series.Roberts is still beloved in Boston for his brief tenure with the Red Sox. It was his stolen base in Game 4 of the 2004 AL playoffs that turned things around for the long-futile franchise. The Red Sox came back to tie it the ninth inning and rally from an 0-3 deficit in the series to beat the New York Yankees and then win their first World Series in 86 years.But the love-fest didn't last long.Second baseman Brian Dozier was introduced next, and the cheers turned to boos.___6:45 p.m.The field at Fenway Park was cleared in anticipation of bad weather before the World Series opener."Attention fans: Due to severe weather in the area, please take cover in the concourse or under the grandstands immediately," a message on the video board read 90 minutes before the scheduled start as lightning... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):6:45 p.m.The field at Fenway Park was cleared in anticipation of bad weather before the World Series opener."Attention fans: Due to severe weather in the area, please take cover in the concourse or under the grandstands immediately," a message on the video board read 90 minutes before the scheduled start as lightning flashed. "Thank you for your patience."Afternoon showers were followed by clearing, and three rainbows appeared by the ballpark: two behind the Green Monster in left field and one in back of the stands on the first-base side. A narrow storm line could pass through just before or after the scheduled 8:09 p.m. EDT start.___5:25 p.m.A trio of gorgeous rainbows showed up over Fenway Park ahead of Game 1 of the World Series. There were two beyond the Green Monster, and another brilliant 'bow far past the right-field stands.A good omen for Boston? Well, there was a wonderful rainbow over Fenway in 2013 while the Red Sox... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):4:35 p.m.With a steady rain falling, batting practice has been canceled and the tarp is on the field for Game 1 of the World Series.But Major League Baseball says the game is still scheduled to start on time at 8:09 p.m.Forecasts had called for temperatures around 50 and rain during the afternoon. It was expected to taper off by game time.___noonThe Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers each added a fresh left-handed reliever to their World Series rosters.Boston put Drew Pomeranz on its roster Tuesday in place of right-hander Brandon Workman. Los Angeles swapped lefties, adding Scott Alexander and dropping Caleb Ferguson.Knuckleballer Steven Wright failed to make Boston's roster after throwing a simulated game Sunday. Wright was removed from the Division Series roster following the opener against the New York Yankees, a day after reinjuring his left knee during a workout.Pomeranz gives the Red Sox another matchup left-hander... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Games have averaged 3 hours, 35½ minutes, up six minutes from the 2017 postseason and more than a half-hour over the regular season.Strikeouts have topped hits in seven of eight postseason matchups. Starting pitchers usually don't finish the fifth inning and use of relievers is up markedly in an era when "bullpenning" has become a verb.Have the changes brought about by analytics made baseball less appealing to casual fans?"There's certainly something to be said for that, because ball in play, double plays, defense, that's always exciting," Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said ahead of Tuesday night's World Series opener against Boston. "I know our series there was a lot of strikeouts, but there was the strategy part of it — I think that that's very exciting for a baseball purist that loves to see what managers think and how you can kind of match up against the opposition."Postseason games this year have averaged a record 18.8 strikeouts, according to the Elias Sports... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The World Series opens in October chill on Tuesday night, with Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw pitching at Fenway Park for the first time and facing a Red Sox team that had the best record in baseball.Kershaw will confront a lineup loaded with the likes of Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez that carried Boston to 108 wins this season.Chris Sale gets the start for Boston, pitching 10 days after his last outing and nine after he was hospitalized with what the team called a "stomach illness." What precisely was wrong with Sale is unclear. He joked — possibly — that it was from a piercing gone bad.Forecasts call for the temperature to be around 50 degrees for the first pitch a little after 8 p.m., with a drop as the night goes on.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):noonThe Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers each added a fresh left-handed reliever to their World Series rosters.Boston put Drew Pomeranz on its roster Tuesday in place of right-hander Brandon Workman. Los Angeles swapped lefties, adding Scott Alexander and dropping Caleb Ferguson.Knuckleballer Steven Wright failed to make Boston's roster after throwing a simulated game Sunday. Wright was removed from the Division Series roster following the opener against the New York Yankees, a day after reinjuring his left knee during a workout.Pomeranz gives the Red Sox another matchup left-hander to use against the Dodgers. He made 11 starts, then was sent to the bullpen in August and had a 5.96 ERA in 15 relief appearances, striking out 22 and walking 12 in 22 2/3 innings while allowing 27 hits.Workman allowed seven hits and three walks while facing 13 batters over three appearances in the Division and League Championship Series.Alexander... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The World Series opens in October chill on Tuesday night, with Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw pitching at Fenway Park for the first time and facing a Red Sox team that had the best record in baseball.Kershaw will confront a lineup loaded with the likes of Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez that carried Boston to 108 wins this season.Chris Sale gets the start for Boston, pitching 10 days after his last outing and nine after he was hospitalized with what the team called a "stomach illness." What precisely was wrong with Sale is unclear. He joked — possibly — that it was from a piercing gone bad.Forecasts call for the temperature to be around 50 degrees for the first pitch a little after 8 p.m., with a drop as the night goes on.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the major leagues today:FENWAY FRESHMANDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will pitch at Fenway Park for the first time when he starts Game 1 of the World Series against the Red Sox. The oldest park in the majors has a lot of quirks that can present many challenges for newcomers, but Kershaw says he's focusing on Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and the lineup of a team that won 108 games.The Dodgers haven't played an interleague game at Fenway since 2010, meaning Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy will be getting their first looks on the field. The team took turns Monday throwing balls at a small, square space in the Green Monster, a little fun target practice while waiting for the real games to begin.Game 1 should be a cold one. Forecasts call for the temperature to be around 50 degrees for the 8:09 p.m. first pitch, and it will cool off during the game to the high 40s. There is a 50-50 chance of rain during the afternoon, but it is expected to pass by game... [More]

A look at what's happening around the major leagues Tuesday:FENWAY FRESHMANDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will pitch at Fenway Park for the first time when he starts Game 1 of the World Series against the Red Sox. The oldest park in the majors has a lot of quirks that can present many challenges for newcomers, but Kershaw says he's focusing on Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and the lineup of a team that won 108 games.The Dodgers haven't played an interleague game at Fenway since 2010, meaning Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy will be getting their first looks on the field. The team took turns Monday throwing balls at a small, square space in the Green Monster, a little fun target practice while waiting for the real games to begin.Game 1 should be a cold one. Forecasts call for the temperature to be around 50 degrees for the 8:09 p.m. first pitch, and it will cool off during the game to the high 40s. There is a 50-50 chance of rain during the afternoon, but it is expected to pass by game... [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]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):7:10 p.m.This World Series is making history even before it starts.Boston's Alex Cora and Los Angeles' Dave Roberts are the first minority managers to face each other in the Series. Cora, who is from Puerto Rico, is already the first minority manager in Red Sox history.Roberts was asked about it on the workout day Monday, and he said he doesn't spend a lot of time thinking about it but he is glad to see progress has been made."It's special," he said. "It's not about myself or Alex, and just to see the minorities get opportunities and perform and do well, I think that that gives opportunities for others."It also creates a responsibility, he said."Do things the right way and to be good leaders," Roberts said. "Up to this point, I think we've done a pretty good job."___6:15 p.m.Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu will start Game 2 of the World Series, followed by righty Walker Buehler in Game 3.Ace... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Hooting and hollering, Chris Taylor and a couple of Dodgers took aim at the Green Monster. With their arms, not bats.Standing in left field, they kept throwing balls at a small, square space in the scoreboard, shouting every time a miss clanged off the metal letters."I've got good aim!" Taylor shouted after he finally tossed one through, ending the contest Monday.A lot of fun for Los Angeles, frolicking at Fenway Park during a World Series workout.Might not look, sound and feel so friendly come Game 1 on Tuesday night."It's a completely different atmosphere," Boston reliever Heath Hembree cautioned. "Are they going to feel the Monster breathing down on them?"Goes beyond the ballpark, too."I think the biggest challenge for a team coming in here is you're playing the Boston Red Sox," pitcher Nathan Eovaldi said.That's the part Clayton Kershaw will focus on, trying to contain Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and a team that blitzed to a team-record 108 wins, then breezed through the... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Hooting and hollering, Chris Taylor and a couple of Dodgers took aim at the Green Monster. With their arms, not bats.Standing in left field, they kept throwing balls at a small, square space in the scoreboard, shouting every time a miss clanged off the metal letters."I've got good aim!" Taylor shouted after he finally tossed one through, ending the contest Monday.A lot of fun for Los Angeles, frolicking at Fenway Park during a World Series workout.Might not look, sound and feel so friendly come Game 1 on Tuesday night."It's a completely different atmosphere," Boston reliever Heath Hembree cautioned. "Are they going to feel the Monster breathing down on them?"Goes beyond the ballpark, too."I think the biggest challenge for a team coming in here is you're playing the Boston Red Sox," pitcher Nathan Eovaldi said.That's the part Clayton Kershaw will focus on, trying to contain Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and a team that blitzed to a team-record 108 wins, then breezed through the... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale would rather talk about the ring he can win as a World Series champion instead of the almost certainly nonexistent navel ring that — he maintains with a straight face — scratched him from a start in the last round.The Red Sox left-hander will belly up to the mound to start Game 1 against Los Angeles on Tuesday night, 10 days after his last outing and nine after he was hospitalized with what the team called a "stomach illness."Sale joked — we think — that it was from a piercing gone bad, and he kept up the ruse back in Boston."I'm not going to spill all of my secrets," he said.Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to start for the Dodgers, giving baseball a matchup of marquee lefties from a pair of iconic franchises at two of the oldest ballparks in the majors.The Red Sox, who won a franchise-record 108 games and their third straight AL East crown, are going for their fourth title in 14 years; the Dodgers, who lost to the Astros in the Series last year, will try for their... [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]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):6:15 p.m.Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu will start Game 2 of the World Series, followed by righty Walker Buehler in Game 3.Ace Clayton Kershaw had already been announced for the opener on Tuesday night, facing Boston's Chris Sale.Ryu was 7-3 with a 1.97 ERA in the regular season. He pitched seven scoreless innings in the NL Division Series and made two starts in the NLCS against Milwaukee — one a Dodgers win and also taking the loss in Game 6. He will face Boston lefty David Price.Buehler was 8-5 with a 2.62 ERA in the regular season, and he also went 4 2/3 innings, allowing just one run, in the NLCS clincher against the Brewers.___3:40 p.m.Red Sox manager Alex Cora understands the enduring popularity in Boston of Los Angeles counterpart Dave Roberts.Roberts pinch ran and stole second base against the New York Yankees in the ninth inning of the 2004 AL Championship Series, then scored the tying... [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]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):3:40 p.m.Red Sox manager Alex Cora understands the enduring popularity in Boston of Los Angeles counterpart Dave Roberts.Roberts pinch ran and stole second base against the New York Yankees in the ninth inning of the 2004 AL Championship Series, then scored the tying run on Bill Mueller's single. The Red Sox won in 12 innings, became the first major league team to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series and swept St. Louis for their first title since 1918."Now he comes here and he makes a lot of money signing autographs," Cora said Monday, a day ahead of Boston's World Series opener against the Dodgers. "I know he puts 'The greatest stolen base in the history of the game." He makes a lot of money in an hour. Probably he's making money right now."___3:10 p.m.Manager Alex Cora says David Price will start Game 2 of the World Series for the Boston Red Sox, following Chris Sale to the mound against the Los Angeles... [More]