Rotoworld MLB Daily Dose: Friday 10/26/2018

[Download the Rotoworld App for the latest fantasy player news on the go]( [Rotoworld.com]( has all the tools you need to win your fantasy Baseball league. [Check out Rotoworld.com Season Pass]( To read this article on Rotoworld.com [click here]( [Player News]( | [Columns]( | [Injuries]( | [Transactions]( | [Depth Charts]( | [Scoreboard]( | [Tickets]( Postseason Dose: Heating Up - 10/26/2018 BY George Bissell [NBC Sports Live]( LATEST FANTASY BASEBALL HEADLINES [- Blue Jays announce Montoyo as new manager]( [- No final decision on Martinez playing in OF]( [- Betts will not start at second base in Game 3]( [- Heyman: Mets down to Bloom or Van Wagenen]( [- Twins officially name Rocco Baldelli manager]( [- Hill will start Game 4 against Red Sox]( [- Pederson will lead off for Dodgers in Game 3]( With the Red Sox holding a commanding two-game series lead over the Dodgers, the Fall Classic shifts from frigid Fenway Park to picture-perfect Los Angeles for Game 3 on Friday Night. Oddly enough, the most compelling pre-game storyline doesn’t involve 24-year-old rookie fireballer [Walker Buehler]( attempting to salvage the Dodgers title hopes in a pivotal start, but rather the health of slugger [J.D. Martin](ez’ right ankle. Red Sox manager [Alex Cora]( told reporters on Thursday that no final decision has been made in terms of Martinez playing in the outfield. “We'll see,” said Cora. "Actually, he felt better today (Thursday) walking around. He got treatment on the way here. He'll get treatment (Friday) morning. In the afternoon, we'll make a decision.” If Martinez isn't healthy enough to play, it would obviously be a huge loss for the Red Sox lineup. However, if he’s deemed healthy enough to play the field, it would likely result in [Jackie Bradley]( Jr. starting Game 3 on the bench. In the days leading up to the World Series, the hottest debate on sports talk radio (at least in Boston, anyway) revolved around the feasibility of shifting [Mookie Betts]( to second base in order to get Martinez potent bat into the lineup out in Los Angeles. Cora made it clear that Betts won’t start at the keystone in Game 3, but there’s still a chance that he could make an appearance at the position on a double switch later in the contest. If there’s a single storyline worth monitoring in Game 3, it’s how the Red Sox manage their outfielders. If Los Angeles is going to have virtually any shot at getting back in this series, it has to start at home on Friday night. With the Red Sox handing the ball to righty [Rick Porcello](, the Dodgers offense should receive a much-needed injection of left-handed power with sluggers [Cody Bellinger](, [Max Muncy]( and [Joc Pederson]( -- who combined for 85 home runs during the regular season -- in the starting lineup. If Buehler, on the heels of an impressive performance against the Brewers in Game 7 of the NLCS, can propel the Dodgers to a victory, it would set the stage for veteran southpaw [Rich Hill]( to even the series in Game 4 on Saturday. Meanwhile, there is some uncertainty with Boston’s pitching staff heading into the three-game set in Los Angeles. Cora hasn’t committed to a Game 4 starter. Hard-throwing righty [Nathan Eovaldi](, who owns a sparkling 1.65 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 16 1/3 innings of work this postseason, is the most likely candidate. However, if the Red Sox have an opportunity to take a three-game series lead, there’s a strong possibility he will be summoned out of the bullpen to protect a late lead in Game 3 on Friday night. If Eovaldi, who made relief appearances in each of the first two games of the series, is unavailable, then it would most likely be up to [Eduardo Rodriguez]( and the bullpen to cover Game 4. Given the legitimate question marks surrounding the health of ace [Chris Sale](, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Eovaldi make a relief appearance to preserve a Game 3 lead before getting the nod to start Game 5. Twins Tab Baldelli The Twins officially hired [Rocco Baldelli]( as their new skipper on Thursday. The 37-year-old former major league outfielder, who spent seven seasons between Tampa Bay and Boston, is now the youngest manager in baseball. He served as the Rays' first base coach and field coordinator last year, and spent the previous four years working in their front office. “We talked a lot about finding a partner who shared a vision, who looked at things in a way that would push us forward but also embodied everything about the Twins tradition,” Twins executive vice president and chief baseball officer Derek Falvey told reporters at Baldelli's introductory press conference on Thursday. Given his proximity to the Rays’ decisions regarding the on-field implementation of statistical data and sudden elimination of traditional pitching roles, it’s clear the Twins’ are eager to trend in a new, progressive, analytical direction moving forward. According to reports, Twins bench coach Derek Shelton and Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde were believed to be the other two finalists to replace [Paul Molitor](, who was let go after the conclusion of the 2018 regular season after four seasons at the helm. Blue Jays Ink Montoyo Poised to embark upon a lengthy rebuilding effort in a loaded American League East division, the Blue Jays have hired Rays’ bench coach [Charlie Montoyo]( as their next manager. He will reportedly receive a three-year contract with a club option for 2022 and will be officially unveiled as the 13th manager in franchise history in a press conference early next week. The 53-year-old native of Puerto Rico is no stranger to the land of hockey and maple syrup. He had a brief stint with the Montreal Expos in 1993 and played his final professional season with Triple-A Ottawa in 1996. Montoyo takes over in Toronto after nearly two decades (18 years) as a manager in the Rays' Minor League system. Not only did he manage at every level in the organization, but he also won seven division titles during an eight-year stint with the Triple-A Durham Bulls. He spent the last four years on the Rays’ major-league coaching staff and played an integral role implementing pioneering pitching strategies for one of the most analytically savvy franchises in the game. According to reports, Astros bench coach Joe Espada, Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde, Cardinals minor league manager [Stubby Clapp](, and Athletics coordinator of instruction [Ed Sprague]( were among the other candidates to replace [John Gibbons]( in Toronto. Quick Hits: Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports reports that the two finalists for the Mets’ open general manager job are Rays senior vice president of operations Chaim Bloom and CAA agent Brodie Van Wagenen … Mets pitching prospect [Franklyn Kilome]( underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday and will miss the entire 2019 season … Tigers first baseman [Jim Adduci]( has elected to become a free agent … Rotoworld.com © 2018 You received this newsletter because you are a registered subscriber of Rotoworld.com's Daily Dose. To unsubscribe, or to update your preferences, [click here.]( Please DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. For all inquiries, please [click here](. If you are having problems contacting us, send a letter c/o Webmaster to 1 Blachley Road Stamford, CT 06902.