Smoke signals

• Francona, who managed the Red Sox from 2004-11, expects the city of Boston and his former team will enjoy a memorable Patriots' Day on Monday. One year following the bombings at the Boston Marathon, the Red Sox will host the Orioles in their annual holiday game at 11:05 p.m. ET at Fenway Park.

"I would imagine it'll be electric," Francona said on Sunday. "All the good that comes with Boston will probably come pouring out tomorrow for obvious reasons. It's a city and a region that is collectively showing their strength out of something that was disastrous. What's going to happen is a lot of good is going to come of that, because of something kind of tragic."

• Nationals manager Matt Williams pulled outfielder Bryce Harper from Saturday's game against the Cardinals for a perceived lack of hustle. Speaking in general terms, Francona said he has never done that to a player as a Major League manager, but he understands why other managers have taken that approach.

"I think I did in the Minor Leagues," Francona said. "Everybody's different. The goal is, when guys make mistakes -- whether it's that or anything -- is to not have them do it again. So I think there's certainly different ways you can accomplish that."

• Brianna Alomar, the daughter of former Indians catcher and current first-base coach Sandy Alomar Jr., sang both the Canadian and American national anthems prior to Friday's game at Progressive Field. It was her first time singing the anthem in front of her dad in Cleveland.

"She was great," Sandy Alomar said. "To be honest with you, I was really nervous."

• Francona said on Saturday that nothing has changed in terms of the plan for veteran Jason Giambi. Cleveland is expected to activate Giambi (broken rib) from the 15-day disabled list prior to Monday's game against Kansas City. The corresponding move is not known at this point.