LOS ANGELES (AP) The Latest on the World Series (all times local):
2:27 p.m.
Boston benched left fielder Andrew Benintendi to make room for major league RBIs leader J.D. Martinez in the outfield as the World Series switched to the National League city for Game 3, resulting in the loss of the designated hitter.
With right-hander Rick Porcello on the mound for the Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Robert restored his top four home-run hitters to the lineup: left-handed-hitting Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson and Max Muncy along with switch-hitting catcher Yasmani Grandal.
Lefties Chris Sale and David Price started the first two games for Boston and the Dodgers became the first team in World Series history to start a batting order of nine right-handed batters, none of them switch hitters.
Boston also benched first baseman Steve Pearce in favor of Mitch Moreland and second baseman Ian Kinsler in favor of Brock Holt.
Martinez turned his right ankle in the opener, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday he would wait a day before he decided whether he could play the field. Boston led 2-0 in the Series and was two wins from its fourth title in 15 seasons.
Right fielder Mookie Betts was hitting leadoff for the Red Sox, followed by shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Moreland, Martinez, Holt, third baseman Rafael Devers, center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., catcher Christian Vazquez and Porcello.
Pederson led off and was in left field for the Dodgers, followed by third baseman Justin Turner, Muncy at first, shortstop Manny Machado, Bellinger in center, right fielder Yasiel Puig, Grandal, second baseman Chris Taylor and rookie right-hander Walker Buehler.
—
2:19 p.m.
Game 3 of the World Series is set to start at Dodger Stadium under sunny skies with temperatures in the 80s, quite a contrast to the matchups at Fenway Park.
The Dodgers were taking batting practice Friday on a perfect afternoon for baseball. Music was wafting over the sound system and players were warming up in shorts.
The Boston Red Sox hold a 2-0 lead in the Series. Batting practice was canceled before Game 1 at Fenway because of a cold, steady rain, and temperatures dropped into the mid-40s for Game 2 on Wednesday night.
—
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
25% Bonus via Western Union
