BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright has had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee for an injury that kept him out of the World Series.The team says Dr. Riley Williams operated Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Williams also performed a debridement to remove damaged tissue.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.An All-Star in 2016, Wright started the 2018 season late following recovery from left knee surgery and a 15-game domestic violence suspension. The 34-year-old right-hander made four starts and six relief appearances, went back on the disabled list in late June because of the knee, then returned in September.Wright went 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in four starts and 16 relief appearances.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):12:03 a.m.Andrew Benintendi, J.D. Martinez and the Boston Red Sox came out swinging in the World Series opener, seizing every advantage in their quirky ballpark to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 on a chilly Tuesday night.Benintendi delivered four hits, Martinez drove in two early runs and pinch-hitter Eduardo Nunez golfed a three-run homer to seal it. The 108-win Red Sox got a solid effort from their bullpen after an expected duel between aces Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw never developed.Xander Bogaerts hit into a go-ahead forceout in the fifth and Rafael Devers followed with an RBI single for a 5-3 lead.After Manny Machado hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh for his third RBI, Nunez homered over the Green Monster off Alex Wood in the bottom half.Boston's David Price faces Hyun-Jin Ryun in Game 2 on Wednesday. This marks just the third World Series in which both starting pitchers in the first two games are lefties.___11:35... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):11:35 p.m.Pinch-hitter Eduardo Nunez's three-run homer off Alex Wood gave the Red Sox an 8-4 lead in the seventh inning.Manny Machado's sacrifice fly against Ryan Brasier had pulled the Dodgers to 5-4 in the top half. With runners on second and third, Eduardo Rodriguez relieved and retired Cody Bellinger on an inning-ending flyout.Andrew Benintendi led off the bottom half with a double against Julio Urias that kicked off the glove of Bellinger in short left, Benintendi's fourth hit of the game. Bellinger had just entered the game in the top half.Pedro Baez struck out Mitch Moreland, intentionally walked J.D. Martinez and struck out Xander Bogaerts.Nunez batted for Rafael Devers, Wood relieved and Nunez sent a knuckle-curve just over the Green Monster.___10:51 p.m.Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly used his 100 mph heat to restore order to a grinding game, preserving Boston's 5-3 lead after six innings.Kelly retired three straight Dodgers,... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):10:51 p.m.Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly used his 100 mph heat to restore order to a grinding game, preserving Boston's 5-3 lead after six innings.Kelly retired three straight Dodgers, the first solid effort by a bullpen guy this evening. Los Angeles reliever Julio Urias then did the same thing in the bottom half.Good hitters are coming for both teams as Game 1 heads to the seventh.___10:40 p.m.The Red Sox are back in the lead, 5-3, after five innings and the teams have turned it over to their bullpens in Game 1 of the World Series.Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw both got pulled after allowing baserunners to start the fifth. After the Dodgers tied it 3-3 in the top half and chased Sale, Kershaw walked Mookie Betts to lead off the bottom and then gave up Andrew Benintendi's third hit of the game.Ryan Madson loaded the bases by walking Steve Pearce on four pitches, bringing up J.D. Martinez, who already had two hits and two RBIs in... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):10:40 p.m.The Red Sox are back in the lead, 5-3, after five innings and the teams have turned it over to their bullpens in Game 1 of the World Series.Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw both got pulled after allowing baserunners to start the fifth. After the Dodgers tied it 3-3 in the top half and chased Sale, Kershaw walked Mookie Betts to lead off the bottom and then gave up Andrew Benintendi's third hit of the game.Ryan Madson loaded the bases by walking Steve Pearce on four pitches, bringing up J.D. Martinez, who already had two hits and two RBIs in the game. He struck out on three pitches.Xander Bogaerts gave Boston the lead with a fielder's choice groundout, then Rafael Devers made it 5-3 with a single.In all, Kershaw was charged with five runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out five and stands to take the loss if the Dodgers can't rally.__10:35 p.m.Red Sox starter Chris Sale is out of the game, leaving after walking... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):9:58 p.m.Boston Red Sox starter Chris Sale left in the top of the fifth inning of the World Series opener despite a 3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.Sale walked Brian Dozier leading off the fifth and was replaced by Matt Barnes. Sale threw 91 pitches, allowing five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.Clayton Kershaw, starting his second straight World Series opener for the Dodgers, threw 69 pitches in the first four innings and retired five straight batters after J.D. Martinez's tiebreaking double in the third. Kershaw had given up six hits with five strikeouts and two walks.___9:40 p.m.J.D. Martinez put Boston ahead 3-2 with a booming double in the third inning — and also put a scare into Red Sox fans at Fenway Park.Martinez lined a long drive against Clayton Kershaw that hit off the garage door on the center field wall. But the big designated hitter slipped rounding the bases, his left foot skidding off the bag at... [More]

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) — 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]

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]

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright has been replaced on the AL Division Series roster with reliever Heath Hembree.Wright has inflammation in his left knee and a loose body. He is ineligible for the rest of the best-of-five series and also cannot play in the AL Championship Series. He could be active for the World Series.Wright told manager Alex Cora before Game 1 on Friday that his knee was bothering him.Hembree was 4-1 with a 4.20 ERA in 67 games this season. Boston announced the decision Saturday before Game 2.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at Boston, 7:32 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at Boston, 8:15 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, Oct. 8, at New York, 7:40 p.m.; x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 9, at New York, 8:07 p.m.; x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 11, at Boston, 7:40 p.m. (All games on TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Red Sox won 10-9.___Projected Lineups:Yankees: LF Andrew McCutchen (.255, 20 HRs, 65 RBIs for Pirates and Yankees), RF Aaron Judge (.278, 27, 67, 152 Ks in 112 games), CF Aaron Hicks (.248, 27, 79 in 137 games), DH Giancarlo Stanton (.266, 38, 100, 211 Ks), 1B Luke Voit (.322, 15, 36 in 47 games for Cardinals and Yankees; .333, 14, 33 in 39 games with Yankees), SS Didi Gregorius (.268, 27, 86 in 134 games), 3B Miguel Andujar (.297, 27, 92, 47 2Bs), C Gary Sanchez (.186, 18, 53 in 89 games), 2B Gleyber Torres (.271, 24, 77 in 123 games).Red Sox: RF Mookie Betts (.346, 32, 80, 129... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at Boston, 7:32 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at Boston, 8:15 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, Oct. 8, at New York, TBA; x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 9, at New York, TBA; x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 11, at Boston, TBA. (All games on TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Red Sox won 10-9.___Projected Lineups:Yankees: LF Andrew McCutchen (.255, 20 HRs, 65 RBIs for Pirates and Yankees), RF Aaron Judge (.278, 27, 67, 152 Ks in 112 games), CF Aaron Hicks (.248, 27, 79 in 137 games), DH Giancarlo Stanton (.266, 38, 100, 211 Ks), 1B Luke Voit (.322, 15, 36 in 47 games for Cardinals and Yankees; .333, 14, 33 in 39 games with Yankees), SS Didi Gregorius (.268, 27, 86 in 134 games), 3B Miguel Andujar (.297, 27, 92, 47 2Bs), C Gary Sanchez (.186, 18, 53 in 89 games), 2B Gleyber Torres (.271, 24, 77 in 123 games).Red Sox: RF Mookie Betts (.346, 32, 80, 129 runs, 30 steals),... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — For a team that finished with the best record in baseball — setting a franchise record for victories along the way — the Boston Red Sox sure have a lot of questions about their bullpen.Even as they coasted to their third straight AL East title, with two Cy Young Award candidates and two MVP contenders, not everything has gone smoothly for Boston this year. Red Sox relievers have been the problem — especially down the stretch in September, when they posted a 4.84 ERA that was the worst in the AL.Manager Alex Cora said Wednesday he remained confident in his bullpen, insisting the late-season woes weren't a local phenomenon."You look around the league in September, there were some great bullpens that became bad," he said Wednesday before the Red Sox learned they will be facing the rival Yankees in the AL Division Series. "They were hit around. They were giving up leads."It's the nature of 162 games," Cora said. "We're going to the same guys, and it seemed like some of them hit... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — For a team that finished with the best record in baseball — setting a franchise record for victories along the way — the Boston Red Sox sure have a lot of questions about their bullpen.Even as they coasted to their third straight AL East title, with two Cy Young Award candidates and two MVP contenders, not everything has gone smoothly for Boston this year. Red Sox relievers have been the problem — especially down the stretch in September, when they posted a 4.84 ERA that was the worst in the AL.Manager Alex Cora said Wednesday he remained confident in his bullpen, insisting the late-season woes weren't a local phenomenon."You look around the league in September, there were some great bullpens that became bad," he said Wednesday as the Red Sox awaited the winner of the Oakland-New York wild-card game. "They were hit around. They were giving up leads."It's the nature of 162 games," Cora said. "We're going to the same guys, and it seemed like some of them hit the wall."And part... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Mookie Betts and the Boston Red Sox won their third consecutive AL East championship Thursday night, clinching on enemy turf with an 11-6 victory over the rival New York Yankees.Betts homered, doubled twice and drove in five runs, finishing with four hits as the Red Sox overcame Giancarlo Stanton's go-ahead grand slam in the fourth inning. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a tying home run in the seventh and Xander Bogaerts put Boston ahead with a sacrifice fly.With the best record in baseball and a playoff berth already secured, Boston (104-49) closed out a once-tight division race with nine games to spare. J.D. Martinez and the Red Sox, alone in first place since July 2, will open the postseason at home on Oct. 5 against an opponent to be determined.Never before had Boston finished in first place three years in a row. The club needs one victory to match the franchise record held by the 1912 World Series champions.It took three tries, but these Red Sox finally earned their chance... [More]