Beginning this week, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez is working for Spanish-language broadcast television network Univisión, a gig that he accepted just in time for the World Series.

John Farrell’s current version of the Red Sox shares a a great deal in common with Dick Williams’ 1967 “Impossible Dream” team, which lost the World Series to the Cardinals in seven games.

The Nationals are looking to hire their sixth manager in team history, and they hope to make an announcement by the first week of November. As of Wednesday, D-backs third-base coach Matt Williams appeared to be the favorite to win the job, according to a baseball source.

Jack Zduriencik has spent the past three weeks putting together his list of managerial candidates to replace Eric Wedge and now is moving into the interviewing phase, with A’s bench coach Chip Hale among the first to meet with the Mariners general manager.

After eight seasons as a coach on Jim Leyland’s staff with the Tigers, Lloyd McClendon, who managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2001-05, would jump at the opportunity to become Detroit’s next skipper.

The 2013 World Series features two iconic baseball teams in the Cardinals and Red Sox. From a scouting perspective, there are a few potential team contrasts that are rather intriguing.

Cubs 2013 top pick Kris Bryant put up big numbers in his first pro season and has been raking in the Arizona Fall League, but he’s eager to keep learning.

Every World Series casts its own shadow and becomes memorable for its own set of numerical and narrative contributions, but it also aligns itself with all of the Fall Classics that preceded it. With these perspectives in mind, we look at some thoughts to consider before the 109th Fall Classic begins.

After winning the American League Championship Series in six games over the Tigers, the Red Sox will take the same roster into the World Series against the Cardinals.

St. Louis’ ability to eliminate the Dodgers in six games in the National League Championship Series was significant. It means that Adam Wainwright, instead of having pitched a Game 7 on Saturday, is rested and ready for Game 1.

In a surprising move, the Giants agreed with right-hander Tim Lincecum on a two-year contract on Tuesday, preventing the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner from entering free agency.

Tuesday was the climax of the two-day media blitz on Boston, where the St. Louis Cardinals descended upon Fenway Park in preparation for Game 1 of the 109th World Series, which begins Wednesday night. Adam Wainwright will get the ball for the Cardinals against Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester in Game 1, which is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET airtime on FOX, with first pitch slated for 8:07.

The Red Sox team that will take on the Cardinals in the World Series beginning Wednesday night at Fenway Park was not so much built as rebuilt. When the pregame ceremonies begin, there will be only 11 players on the roster who were around in 2012.

In theory, if all of Koji Uehara’s pitches are good ones, hitters should be getting some choice pitches to swing at. But in real life, it’s not that easy.

The Dodgers announced on Tuesday that they have agreed to a four-year deal with Cuban middle-infield prospect Alexander Guerrero that, according to industry sources, is worth $28 million.

When Jon Lester takes the mound against the Cardinals in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday at Fenway Park, not only will he be standing up for the Red Sox, but he’ll be standing up for cancer survivors and patients everywhere.

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, at 37, is wrapping up one of his most productive and satisfying seasons with his third World Series appearance in 11 years with Boston, and few in the game are a better ambassador for the sport.