Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports - MLB

Every Tuesday. We check in with our man our baseball insider. Ken Rosenthal for all the knowledge can Greg Dickerson is here in Belgrade and I -- that ten big Greg Greg can Mario and it doesn't really like to hang out Michael baker with.

Before we start and I allow. You're -- it is correct when they hit the in the that it brick -- were Red Sox nation prize yet again.

I you know what standard line because they've already got the C Joe Morgan. Peter King Chris Morton's and we just heard so glad

we were getting out of an inning the score was ten to one has talked about els -- has -- might not trade him. Because he's got hurt a lot of over the years in but it would throughout the ball goes in the air and I got a we finished products that was that it's quite possible I don't Sperry and Coco Crisp in the outfield next year obviously. Well -- meant to say it was that they could be on a roster could be that -- without here.

You know Red Sox nation is not going to jump when it you know not want to you know why. And we've had to deal with the last -- Greg last three or four offseason will Manny be here woman to be gone. I think people probably thought you meant -- know it better I felt very left.

That's always possible but I didn't need. -- sort of clarify my.

And I'm glad you clarified that the nation the nation respect your honesty in in just how how noble you are. Gentlemen -- try not asked that starred in the bleeds down at three and a half. The Yankees are approaching is there any reason not just for the lead to three half game lead the Red Sox for this reason. Four Red Sox fans the panic given the state of this team right.

Well I think actually Michael that's the greater concern than their actual positions and I don't think there's a question opponent when the division make the 12 like that. Pretty good shape in that regard what concerns me is that either cage in the on Beckett -- initially was really. In the bullpen at the the couple these -- two ballots. Many felt the need is less concerned I think he'll be firemen and the play upstart but yeah but portly. In the hammered with the way to their play if you look at the American -- contenders right now the team they're playing the best of the Yankees in the now as a result last -- How you're playing going into the playoffs means absolutely not. The bullpen issue with Okajima announced currently got it certainly questions that troubles and the fact that Daisuke had. Well he was earlier in the that troubles -- as well.

What do people around the league saying about Daisuke and and his stop now. As compared to worry was two months ago.

That's a request it I don't think the people questioning. But yet there are a lot of people. Really tired and you'd think. I would be reflected by Lester stopped less popular -- the -- like the western command. I don't think we're quite. Here the Red Sox -- the issue was more pitch selection and not using his breaking up -- predictable fashion. Forget the innings total or commitment which I think it's significant at all. But think about just the transition mental grind. The requirement of pitching for the Red Sox which have to pitch or -- in the American league east. As much as it is oh.

I -- Boston can you know how it goes we're obsessed with New York we just can't help but so this time last year. We were talking about the Yankees in the playoffs and how great their lineup was and they went into the playoffs and in Detroit shut them down. I'm going to ask you about New York. As a playoff team and don't even addressed that the lineup do they have a playoff pitching staff -- that you know at at. The pitching staff that will allow them to advance to the World Series.

Great question and I think the answer right now is entirely clear. Not looking like they what you're in the Kevin brown in game seven for instance or anything along those lines. Even if Clemens not healthy. You've gotten into the possibility that he will bounce back he pitches -- We'll excuse I think acquitted himself fairly well in the -- and the I think they could throw out there if -- actual act so there's some depth there that there wasn't. It past years even last year I think Jarret -- start those games in Detroit. And wilt Chamberlain is better with this -- you know. Pretty impressive eight do lack who left the so that play out of -- in the bought Ares. But I -- think they're better equipped to make a run issues in the world last. That's at. -- like the guys around the country analysts observers whatever Ross saint loud Yankees he could blow right to oppose the but it perfect no but they certainly were a year ago I do believe the --

Go back to Daisuke for a second despite his struggles could could you foresee the Red Sox throwing him in in game two of the division series. Just to take some of the pressure away from him. From pitching on the road.

I concede that although like office the the idea -- oh. And experience in that spot although -- three. There's the partners is very capital's capital as well so -- that there. Adam what did Daisuke his home road split recently they very.

Yeah I you know I have I -- looked at I I just a thought of that. Partially because of of what you would set about maybe taken some pressure off of them you know I think it's -- them long whose numbers are vastly different on the road as opposed the home. You know what will probably see him in in pitching Yankee stadium in the game theory.

Right well the Yankees certainly -- that idea around and I think that -- like talked about that. -- actually it's the other way around the area moments I've won 1 on the road three point -- work. I don't think feel the pressure of home start -- rose -- Anymore than anyone else these numbers indicate -- better off right on the road and certainly -- not only the park pitched it. And I -- the go either way -- And actually finished a decade -- and how it all -- on October 1.

I can generally when we talk about the general manager who was doing a lot. With a very small payroll we think of Billy -- in Oakland. We don't think of marks a -- in the Cleveland Indians their payroll is 61 million I believe what should people fear about the Cleveland Indians.

First of all their top two starters about it Carmona. They're pitching as well as any and the in sport right now had a long I would include Jake Peavy Chris Young they are really rolling and starting pitching is the reason why the -- Have prevailed in this race against the tigers actually it's the biggest reason the other thing but what about this. It's not a that if -- Michael but it certainly a factor. They have especially 14 little limited payroll tremendous depth. We see that in triple a little bit where. Outfield Betancourt reds have really come on this year. And -- throwing an expectation that Courtney would be in the bullpen but it'd be disputed Perez well. Actor -- the so what like Okajima. Gutierrez in the outfield Ryan Garko Kelly Shoppach I think -- the backup catcher is one of the better -- actors in the game. And they just have multiple pieces you know lot of different areas another. The kid who's playing second base. As -- Cabrera. We got to trade for Eduardo reds a year ago order of -- now he has yet. -- Cabrera now playing second base and playing very very well the they get contributions a lot of different people I think that defined their team almost lose much -- rotation.

I hardly think the -- the Red Sox take the extra day come come playoff time does it depend on who they play.

I wrote about this just couple days actually yesterday and I think the -- but the play. If you're playing Indians don't want it in the reason for that is. Because at that point it's the bat in Carmona twice each on normal rest for the five -- can be facing one of those two. That's not an advantage at this. It would the red. The extra day I don't know that it it is meaningful we're sitting here we just discussed the number two starter we don't know it. Not a lot of separation between -- not Schilling Wakefield this point. So I think they've led the team needed -- the short series all depend on where they stand at the time at a usable. All of that but it's not a given that the take. Today especially the.

You know I can I'm I'm as guilty of this as anybody completely. Ignore the nationally in turn those good I.

Michael that's not something to apologize for. That's something that is just shrewd move by any age -- older.

Thank you so you're not you're not a fan of whoever's gonna come out the national league.

Have to follow other nationally and part of my job but. In Washington they are supposedly the best team nationally. -- right now are brutal and even when clicking on all cylinders which they have a total these. I don't think there in the last the top 14 year old route Detroit to the top spot.

Well you know you look at the Diamondbacks if you look at. And I know the Phillies are making a pleasure just don't look you don't like anybody in the national league match but you know.

Well we don't Leicester too. I don't know what I was guessing who's got the best chance of being saint Louis.

That's that's the question and I would say San Diego because of that pitched and San Diego with PD Chris young and addicts. Grant dramatic that have a great player history but he's still great. That commute be eaten with the best shot. Maybe being tough in the plant they'll have a very good bullpen hasn't performed quite well in the first.

isn't none of us saw this coming. Lawton about a stock on the last year in 83 win team.

No let -- was observed and I I would -- I would stand to believe that last year was an exception but that's what happened in the post it is. A matter of which team as hot as it is no matter which team. Kind of penalties to the time it was meant both such criteria once the playoffs that start.

They got started they were -- it was a totally -- players came back. With other with a was up was Chicago three years ago two years ago.

Somewhat yes the same thing although they had that's starting pitching. So therefore they were that kind of threat by. It was last year it was -- Detroit it was a shocker crew member of the dispute it lost the division title because they clapped. Minnesota past the last day and they were real. Some out. Yet against the Yankees and then it really well as well.

I cannot use the ask you this question them this mess out yeah and legitimately interested where you -- be this weekend.

I'm going to be in Atlanta. For the brewers and the great.

The brewers another team that's kinda hanging around -- and you know we know about fielder but. How much to how much does the average baseball fan know about this to.

Well have you ever heard of your body -- I -- okay. He is they're clean but oh yeah there he is really good it -- he's probably performing better than anybody.

Lately -- rookie pitcher it's lest I be someone draws comparisons to early in. -- control and repertoire. Really good Ryan brought. Look at his numbers from time -- considered back that he didn't come up hill think it was the first week of June this kid. Could be a rookie of the year over two with skiing in Colorado which are really good player. You know he basically just got here here's what he's done. Time is the -- placed third base. 30 home runs in. 83 RBIs in one country. Get that prints -- I am. Rickie Weeks is emerging hitter player Corey -- of these young players good outfielder who has had a very next year. And their closer Cordero has been probably as good as. Outside of pirates they mr. papelbon. He's so there are a lot of interest in parked there and she is back and pitched fairly well soup pot struggled outcome backed. And hang it in their problem over the next two weeks there's schedule idol. Slightly up from the -- they're going to have to face this weekend also. In the final week in and egos and it it wikipedia Christian in the -- have. Red the pirates.

Like my cannot like Michael wanted to know. Hi you think the transitions going to be Robin young going from shortstop this. Are you surprised then that you're able to say that guy's name so -- him against any.

Body -- yard well. In all seriousness he's one of the best pitchers.

Okay now I'll never forget the name it's almost like you know lesson from it and argue pro life that you remember these last never forget that name is long name is that Michael. I I -- I -- we always appreciate the knowledge that they -- about art and Rosenthal from Mike -- fox game