Survival test  —  Sox call on Beckett to keep them alive  —  Is Terry Francona pointing the way toward victory to Game 5 starter, Josh Beckett?  The Sox certainly hope so.  Beckett knows how to overcome 3-1 deficits - he did it in '03 with Florida.  (BARRY CHIN/GLOBE STAFF)

Cashman confirms: If A-Rod opts out, he's done as Yankee  —  Although no decision was made regarding Joe Torre's future during the second day of the Yankees' organizational meetings, it appears that the group of front-office execs was able to agree on something.  —  If Alex Rodriguez opts out, his time in pinstripes will be over.

Orioles name Kranitz pitching coach  —  Veteran instructor spent 22 years working in the Cubs' system  —  BALTIMORE — The Orioles filled one of their few remaining high-profile coaching slots on Wednesday when they reached a deal with former Florida pitching coach Rick Kranitz.

A Family Divided Against Itself by the A.L.C.S.  —  Linda Goldman, fervent Red Sox fan and Boston-area resident, came home yesterday to visit her parents and her sister, Bonnie Bernstein, fervent Indians fan and Cleveland-area resident.  —  "She's supposed to come here for dinner Thursday night …

Hunter interested in joining Nationals  —  Twins' potential free agent-to-be has close ties with Young  —  WASHINGTON — After the World Series comes to an end, Twins outfielder Torii Hunter is expected to file for free agency, and he said on Wednesday that he has an interest in playing …

New Bill James study on Pythagoras  —  In the light of lots of discussion on why the Diamondbacks beat their Pythagorean Projection, and what that means, Bill James wrote up a new study on whether such teams improve beyond expected in the following season.  —  Bill sent the study …

Blue Jays promote LaCava  —  TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays promoted player development director Tony LaCava, one of GM J.P. Ricciardi's most trusted executives, to assistant general manager, player personnel on Wednesday.  —  LaCava, 46, has drawn interest from other teams …

Help from the Far East  —  Scoping out the Japanese free-agent market  —  A reader e-mailed me a question yesterday that I planned on holding for an upcoming offseason mailbag post, but after watching Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima pitch in Monday night's ALCS Game 3, I decided this would be as good a time as any to answer him.

Remaking Of A Team — Red Sox's Farrell strong candidate for manager's job  —  John Farrell's candidacy for the Pirates' manager's job seems to be picking up some momentum.  —  And it could be that, if Farrell's the man, he could have a hand in hiring the Pirates' next scouting director, too.

Dontrelle Willis to host "Weekend With The D-Train" to benefit the Children's Home Society  —  The "D-Train" Dontrelle Willis is set to host two events this weekend to benefit the Children's Home Society.  —  SATURDAY, Oct. 20: Day With The D-Train: Willis will host 30 children …

2008 ZiPS Projections - Pittsburgh Pirates  —  Not the prettiest projections in the world, but did anyone really expect otherwise?  It's unfair to put any blame on the recently hired Frank Coonelly, but considering how competitive baseball is, this seems pretty much what one should expect …

GM Huntington to evaluate players  —  Club's front office, manager decisions put on back burner  —  PITTSBURGH — Pushing pending front-office hires to the back burner for a few days, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington began a three-day set of meetings on Tuesday that will target …