McAdam: In shuffling Red Sox Game 3 lineup, Alex Cora can do no wrong

NEW YORK -- Looking for a hot stock tip? In search of a longshot hunch running in the third race tomorrow? Down to your last dollar as you stand at the roulette wheel?

Better call Alex.

Alex Cora isn't clairvoyant. But after Game 3 of the 2018 ALDS, you'd be excused for thinking that maybe he is.

On Monday night in the Bronx, he was one part Red Sox rookie manager and one part Amazing Kreskin. For nine innings, everything he touched, every move he made, worked like a charm.

Item: Cora opted for Rafael Devers at third base over Eduardo Nunez. Result: two singles, two runs scored and a stolen base.

Item: Cora decided to go with catcher Christian Vazquez instead of the slumping Sandy Leon. Result: Vazquez singled home the first run, and later singled and scored as part of the epic seven-run fourth inning.

Item: Cora went with Brock Holt over Ian Kinsler at second. Result: Holt became the first major leaguer to ever hit for the cycle in the postseason.

And while deciding to go with Nathan Eovaldi and pushing back Rick Porcello to Game 4 (dictated by Porcello's Game 1 bullpen appearance), Cora did half-jokingly have this prediction for Eovaldi's outing when he was asked about it Sunday: "Seven innings, two hits, one run." Actual Eovaldi line: Seven innings, five hits, one run.

Finally, there was this last premonition: during his pre-game meeting with beat writers in his office, Cora envisioned Holt homering to right on a slider by New York starter Luis Severino. Instead, Holt waited until the ninth to hit slider out to right off Austin Romine, Yankee catcher-turned-pitcher in the blowout.

"I mean, you've got to ask him, but I guess he's got the crystal ball or something, huh?'' cracked J.D. Martinez. "He's been doing it all year. He mixes it up. I think he's got faith in everyone in here and he does a really good job of giving everyone a chance and getting everyone out there and lining up people and putting guys in position to be successful.''

Of course, it's one thing to change things up in the middle of July or August, when the regulars are tired and the heat is stifling and the consequences aren't great. But it's something altogether different to do it in a tied playoff series, when two more losses will send you and your team home for the winter.

The funny thing is, Cora gave no hint that he was about to undertake such a drastic makeover only 24 hours earlier. When asked Sunday about sitting some of his struggling regulars being replaced, Cora downplayed the prospect, noting that the first two games amounted to a small sample size and stressed how important it was not to overreact to tiny slumps.

But then something happened Sunday night. Cora communicated with Nunez and Kinsler and let them know they wouldn't be in the lineup for Game 3. (The Steve Pearce-for-Mitch Moreland switch was more motivated by injury, as Moreland is nursing a hamstring strain).

Then Cora began letting Devers and Holt know that they would be in the lineup.

"I found out (Sunday) night,'' said Holt. "A.C. sent me a text and said I'm playing somewhere tomorrow. He said either first or second base. I knew I was going to be in here. I don't have very good numbers against Severino (1-for-15) so I sent him a text: 'Are you sure?' ''

Yes, Cora was sure. That's part of his success this season. He manages with confidence and makes the moves he believes in with conviction.

It was Cora who first suggested to Dave Dombrowski that the Red Sox DFA Hanley Ramirez in late May, rather than risk losing Blake Swihart. It was Cora who benched Devers when he wasn't contributing good at-bats and went with Nunez down the stretch. It was Cora who made Leon the team's primary catcher after the first two months.

And Monday, it was Cora making one correct call after another, like a gambler on an unstoppable hot streak, riding the hot hand.

Just as telling as the success the inserted players had was the reaction of the players who were removed from the lineup. There was no pouting about being benched.

To the contrary.

"As a manager, you feel like, with veteran guys, you have to call them and let them know,'' Cora recounted prior to the start of Game 3. "I did last night and they were like, 'Thank you for the phone call, but it wasn't needed. We understand what you're trying to accomplish and if you need Brock to play and me to sit, I'll be ready to come in and play defense or run or whatever I have to do.' And Eduardo, same thing.''

That's a manager who has the respect of his entire roster, who has fostered an environment where team success trumps individual egos.

But it helps when every single move you make works perfectly, too.