ST. LOUIS – Weather nice enough for shirt sleeves and shorts earlier in the day was a bit of a tease before Game 3, although a cold wave wasn't expected to really hit until well after the final out.
It was 63 degrees when the Red Sox took batting practice and 58 at game time, with temperatures expected to plummet perhaps into the 30s.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak wasn't worried.
"It's a beautiful night and I imagine it will have absolutely zero impact," Mozeliak said.
Of course, it was a lot more comfortable in the GM's box. But players weren't concerned, either, and most on both sides were still in short sleeves in the third inning.
"Obviously, it's going to get a little cold," Cardinals third baseman David Freese said. "But your adrenaline is pumping so you're not going to feel it the same way. You're so excited."
Carlos Beltran was happy to be home regardless of the conditions.
"Well, right now it's the least concern that we have," Beltran said.
The Cardinals appeared unaffected by a big temperature swing in the NLCS, also at home. It was 75 degrees when rookie Michael Wacha outdueled Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw in Game 2, and 52 degrees for the first pitch of the Wacha-Kershaw rematch in St. Louis' clinching Game 6 blowout.
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LOVULLO'S FUTURE: Red Sox bench coach Torey Luvullo is ready to listen if old boss Theo Epstein calls about the Chicago Cubs' manager job.
There have been reports that the Cubs have interest, but Lovullo said before Game 3 that he hadn't been contacted by any team about a managerial opening. Anyway, he's focus on helping the Red Sox win the World Series.
"I work for a great organization now that I'm very content with," Lovullo said. "In life, timing is everything so if the timing is right and the situation is what it's supposed to be, then that's the next step."
The 48-year-old Lovullo would fit the recent mold of younger managers who can relate to players — much like the Cardinals' Mike Matheny, the Red Sox' John Farrell and the White Sox' Robin Ventura.
Lovullo, a former major league infielder, is in his first season in Boston after two seasons as first-base coach under Farrell in Toronto. He managed nine seasons in the minor leagues for the Cleveland and Boston organizations, hence the Epstein connection.
He interviewed for the Red Sox manager's job after the 2011 season, but the job went to Bobby Valentine, who was replaced by Farrell after one season.
"When Theo was (in Boston) the operation was very efficient and well-run," Lovullo said. "I know he's doing the same thing there in Chicago. I think we had a mutual respect for one another. It's a matter of time before it gets real good in Chicago. Whoever sits in that seat is going to be the right man."
Lovullo wants to manage, "but I'm not here to fast-forward or rush anything."
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ORTIZ ADMIRATION: Red Sox slugger David Ortiz doesn't hesitate to praise the opposition.
The day before Game 3, Ortiz said the Cardinals' Carlos Beltran was "one of the greatest outfielders I've ever seen." He said it was "ridiculous" how good St. Louis' young pitchers have been.
"Look at Wacha, that kid's a stud," Ortiz said. "The young age, this stage, you don't see no 22-year-old performing like that."
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GIVE IT UP: Beltran's sacrifice bunt in the first inning was his first in 48 career postseason games.
He has just two the last five regular seasons, one this year and one in 2012.
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CATCHING ON: Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina routinely wears out a couple gloves this season. There's been no additional wear and tear this year despite all of those strong, young arms.
Team equipment manager Rip Rowan said Molina is on glove No. 2.
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