What It Means:

Beltre was originally left out of the lineup with Hanser Alberto batting ninth and playing third base. Beltre will bat third, his first game since suffering a back injury in Game 1.

Alberto has struggled offensively since being called up from Triple-A, so Beltre's addition is huge. Beltre finished the season with a .287/.334/.453 slash and 18 home runs. His hard-hit rate was 33.5 against right-handed batters, so even though Blue Jays starter R.A. Dickey holds a higher strikeout rate against righties, Beltre should figure to play a key role on Monday.