Terry Francona, Red Sox Mgr.

Each and every Wednesday at this time we talked with a manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona is on the lines with -- us. Hey Terry NATO good guys are you don't. Great thank you and we were kind of joking about this earlier and I said I mean maybe other than Eric Gagne. Your script last night was about as perfect as it could be for you wasn't it.

Most good and even people who Gagne did in the second out. Steps up but not bidding -- we don't happen. Not feel like we have to go too much or commercials on comparable situations so it's almost a perfect inning dip into that second out so it's hopeful

RT a look I'm going to be honest with -- play games today okay.

You know we'd we'd need you to settle debate we have lots of debates year -- the -- We need -- you have to give us the name but when you're going into the post season. You're thinking about the starters that you need for the division theories generally do you think you need three starters or do you think you need -- start.

And I it depends on what team you war and our national budget team and -- you feel about a guy. Possibly happened to bounce back on early rest. It'll -- over there this year is one series startled when he wants startled Thursday if you start on Wednesday obviously your first to go back on normal rest if historic Thursday if you want to go with three starters. Bjorn your first guy -- the being able to come back on early rest there's some things -- if it rains. Did you have him back to back games so -- I have to sit up your rotation took copper bowl even if you bowl and a warning to that makes it.

Shut that makes a lot of sense and we have a we have a fabulous intern here who has let that. Yeah a couple of your starters on short rest and you probably done the same thing Josh Beckett numbers -- off the charts -- innings he's given up two runs on short rest does that factor into anything at all for you

aware that.

I work harder to break -- a if you haven't -- good they're from the -- at -- on my way.

Because nobody in Red Sox nation never -- anything right.

Oh what I you I guess he's done just that. I'm unpredictable a lot of help what about --

And we were talking about about -- we were kind of joking about it to I mean you know I think. Number two hitter you know I think guy who can lay down a bunt worked the count you know maybe see some pitches I think Manny Ramirez right.

Yeah I was actually to Oakland for the game my two million don't know many 600 bought him over there also a number of people like you say that -- don't let. But two Gilbert return for we we scripted a little bit last night it's not perfect. Well we wanted to do there's like federal. Without asking too much and I think it worked out pretty well in the second -- Egypt's success third at bat hopefully for the sixth inning. And and we give him goal and we uses -- had a chance it is good it is to -- it is not perfect -- it but --

And watching him last night I I mean I guess I was kind of watching the CP was going to hold anything back protect that. -- during that swing he wasn't hold anything back last night.

No I think we really wanted to get to a point where he could actually play the game and not squad turned. But I have to worry about ridiculous way and hurt himself and he's worked hard I I don't think we're gonna go. I don't think we're gonna go backwards. Because he has virtual hard. Especially with a school or more to things like that. Again playing nine innings I don't know that it actually made sense we need to have this gotta keep going forward get stronger not go backward.

You know Curt Schilling was on the station earlier today and don't worry you didn't say anything though lead to a press conference.

I always got -- helps.

but he was saying it made a great point about just how players some players don't want to perform in the post season. And they get they get very and just about it and other players become different go to a different level he's he gave lots of examples of guys are on both sides of the -- both sides of the argument I'm wondering. Does that translate for managers to have you seen managers go to a different level in the post season or managers who get tense in the post season --

Michael audible you know. I I -- I think everybody's personalities different I think that's what we -- so much for consistency. Because you don't want to be changing it'll just like goal to win streaks and losing streaks if you change. Personality players read into that now the -- players -- fire remain in the staff remains consistent. It'll whatever we are -- we are beyond -- to change my personality and what would ever visited remained consistent the players are used to that. And I think that helps that'll be -- big Knute Rockne speech corner -- they need for us that be consistent toward job and that's why do. Also based go -- others but. It'll be run around being a maniac or or Helton. Is certainly doesn't help we always this can be a tough enough plays to plate because of all the interest on the periphery. Sort by Campbell that. And move on indoor job advocate makes are troubled please just what baseball if we can go out just play baseball it gives us a better chance to play good baseball.

Now speaking of -- the pitcher not the blogger he last night. He said he he had a very difficult time getting started but once he got to a group. I felt much better and he also mentioned that he's a different pitcher right now you know what he means by that.

Yeah I actually group both counts you collapse like the first inning I looked up global conflict o's haven't a tough time differentiating some disputes that currently -- other. Which is not a real good sign that he got into the ballgame. He started to develop these started. It'll look -- or lose a lot more comfortable slippery. Started pinpoint his fastball when you get for a -- talks to strike three -- four fastballs. That -- a couple things really committed a pretty well. -- and I felt it was command and set -- the richest and -- commanding you know he's not going to pitch at 9637 like used to. And I think he's becoming and I isolated boy -- more comfortable -- Milicic this is what he just -- you're -- to Antwan -- ordered not to. Keep not forgotten how to compete eagles -- It was going to report you can just you know you can take -- so there's a lot of things to roll like still just a block he's not what it used but he.

Terry how important to you is that if at all to win the American league east and -- finish with the best record in the American linked

I think we want to all be above the pin almost took and I or -- desperately that's probably not a right worked -- very very badly. What I I can't sit here and do it at the expense of us having a better chance one point -- calm. We're we're going to try to play the best baseball we Kenyon but I can't be shortsighted either. And that would -- very bad mistake deal if we played ourselves and to a position where every game counts now. Well that's all we did soul will do best we can't bought also have to be aware of where we want to gold at our best way to get their.

I've heard managers and coaches in other sports use the phrase you know I hope player X makes it a hard decision forming. Has Jacoby yells -- made things hard for --

I don't think so. Loans made haven't made it pretty.

Bob and and I guess and that the bigger question is has he made it hard to decide I going to use this guy when you've got everybody available to.

Travel we haven't had everybody available. You know prevent that would be nice luxury to have it seems heroic to right local appliance so desperately search I shouldn't -- often. It happens. Things when -- away working now we talk about -- time. It Albania was available Earl Earl like to practical steps in the rule dude could jump. -- is not most not a real -- placed -- available like so Alberto play we've missed treaty from time to time it right sort get. I don't anticipate them being a big problem the more good players we -- Good -- but there are a lot of big post seasons.

And and speaking of those decisions -- at what point. Do you sit down players I know it doesn't happen during the regular season just from Europe. How quickly it happens after the season you sit down players and say this is what we decided with our post season roster in you. Player -- Are not going to be on the roster with it at the beginning of the division.

Yeah and that's certainly something we have to do. What I would think we would do it is and we were certainly talking about that stuff now because they'll be some guys that. That are on the roster but that would travel with us -- some guys that. -- bowl I would pick the guys are gold -- we -- to right after the last game this season just got to respect eventually go but to -- the other guys. As the being active on rosters and things like that we would probably need to go through the first set or readings first. And then talk to the guys -- the worked out just look on the past put the work -- the day before the first game. We usually talk to the guys that need to be spoken to.

I don't have to be a baseball genius to figure out that chances are pretty good Josh Beckett would be your number one starter in the playoffs. But you're number two starter how much of that would be determined on where you're playing that game number two whether it's home or on the road.

There's a lot of things to be determined pool you win where. And we don't have any that information yet so just tell accused Serb -- Beckett pretty easy call but after that we need to get some more information. To what we're -- and what we're told independent. That's kind of why we laid out the rotation the way we did because we had a feeling. We wouldn't have a lot of in -- for the of the season so this way we can deal flexible. Depending on what is at where and -- in food went in and build a pitch and we want to without disrupting the rotational.

And if you do finish with the best record in the American league have you decided which of those two series schedules you prefer.

I think so but I -- think that's real tough. -- again.

This year that -- Really if it is doesn't make sense because their pets in turtle spot but I don't think it's a rule of --

Maybe audition is not the right word but it's only where -- come up with our guys are certain players. Auditioning for you right now for the post season.

But no I don't think so I I think the way we try to. Fuel we don't want guys to collect -- auditioning that's for sure everybody out there whether it's just a -- and called up from triple lawyer present a little hole you're. Their job at all what games that we conveyed a terrible time. We're going to make our decisions. You know just go play again it opens -- I think what you feel like you're giving in to a a situation where you are auditioning. You can become short side -- or if it'll some -- to you more than and we don't want that to happen.

JD Drew has made it a point to not make excuses and that's to his credit. And and you've been careful not to talk too much about via the issues that he said to worry about off the field. But he said a couple of pretty good weeks for you here and it seems to kind of coincide with things get a little better as far as the help of his son is concerned and I'm not sure -- on related.

Yet again I I don't know focal point of talk about that either I don't I do know we've. He's been a pretty good player especially in the last couple weeks and we desperately need that I think would -- at all long when he -- our lineup looks different. Because he can do the other things all the jewels shall Welsh you know he's kind of a connector to the to the rest of order and it's spread another batting order and if he wants to get on. Oh what a time for him to get caught. Don't spend up and -- for but it will recognize that for different reasons and put over the reason Florida happened and it it has happened. But -- get on with the support different pulled.

You've also served pretty consistently -- that another guy you need to get hot. Is Eric Gagne how would you assess his performance in the past oh week and a half two weeks.

I thought god can't repeat the ball very well -- Toronto had a you're that the first it the kind of almost so -- them numbered little go back to the basics back to back in Tampa did a good job last but I desperately want him to open that it. But not at the expense of those -- in the game you know you fight so botched short term long term. And I really want him to get through that inning I think what he's -- sometimes two years he's company and in the -- And it's a situation was not used to it because when he would get the ball in 90 who's either going to want to lose the game. Now he's looking over shall receive guys warm up electric I don't think you can help and nobody in my -- consider my doctor -- that are. And his battle but -- discussion they just pitch. Up someone uncommon but it's easier said than done.

Well he's used to pitching in the ninth he's been used at times an eight here. Is there another inning giving as the main -- that it -- I don't mean it to be a sarcastic question and did you think about using him in the sixth or seventh of.

All that Michael in the playoffs we we would you guys everywhere -- again he is very. Opened -- pitching any time that's not an issue. We're just trying to get our guys aren't tracked and incompetent and went one legal storm readings for the playoffs. If there's a situation where the seventh inning it'll be -- better old certainly -- Tokyo.

He's superstitious at all. It does your closers on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. It in what we've -- While it's used to say that 'cause there's a quote from Curt Schilling in the piece by comforting -- let let's be honest he had a charter member of Mensa here part of.

I don't know what pap news I've not gotten spent two years out. This kid when he has the ball on the mound I can't imagine. 18 from manager coaching staff being more confident in somebody's ability to compete and do his job this kid. This kid is is what you look at results again whether he had tonight really get educational I don't care he's a good kid he's loyal and he competes as we're both.

Well there's two quotes in the piece that jumped out at me one was JP you rich hearty saying he's the best closer in baseball. And the other was your bullpen coach Gary -- who said quote on the mound with a ball in his hand and the game on the line he is pure rage on court.

I I guess that's the most honest but I think they have very good title distributor this kid at a very young -- gets it and impact of coming in in a situation like what class flights persons second to -- can't play a -- until the gift given the ball. Because you're going to get his best every timeout to get everything you have he's prepared he doesn't back down from anybody and that's the feeling.

So 13 a what are you start caught himself cinco OTO may have.

to he's I don't know I I heard that in of these. You'd hear a lot of things home. Pat takes his share of reached in this clubhouse from the plated -- each -- them back but he and ballooned to more often than not. Put two I don't know I don't know but it it's I I love it to it is brings more.

grief from his teammates on in the more talks about it.

But -- I think takes a much grief.

And I just you know again young guys what -- It'll Kamal producing -- or whatever result children whatever it is -- they just opened themselves open guys just how long. And I and a joy.

So I I got asked the question what do mirabelli say the last night the cracked you up. They they it was a shot of you guys in the dugout there any standard over your shoulder he says something need to start at lap.

what he did and I got to remember now elm. It was totally -- I think so yeah you don't want I can column. The most beautiful. Will take a good place dominant crowd I can't remember now but it was thought -- could -- time and I. I honestly don't remember.

Because it's -- they don't they don't show a lot of shots of guys talk and he. I I mean yeah it seems like you you got so much going on you gets a much happening that that they seem to finally be alone little.

Well you don't -- what's -- there -- times of the game -- obviously kind of -- through some things I think I'd do better. When I'm relaxed in talking. Then just -- and there are no -- It's always been that way even back to Philadelphia you know just chatter in the -- about things and then the game seems to flow the guys are good about emotional council sometimes comes -- next week and would somebody gets on a crucial two out. -- just believe and he just can't it's funny to me -- they -- and it and I don't all of for a just don't what it would belong to.

He's probably used to a more than anybody I.

Yes he did he -- he's been out of the the point partial official -- circle were also if an advocacy.

Believe me -- on edited book assuming you can wrap up this division thing and or the best record thing in the next couple days would you like to -- some guys out this weekend.

if they need it if if we get an opportunity where we can kind of dictate what we want to do you know there's going to be some time off -- it'll it'll you wouldn't want too much time off if guys are nicked up and they need to play a little bit to -- a lot yeah that that's good but I don't bolts. It'll get would love district where shall we can dictate whatever we want to do. Is that you can -- you can talk to players in the -- was in the best interest. But I don't think you're going to be a two stroke -- a paradise not playing because you're gonna get days off come Monday Tuesday maybe Wednesday.

We set ellsberg is going to be in the tonight any other lineup changes.

Not until one felt very -- senator. Could you -- checked out into the schools come good netter but you expect him there and both will play our guys.

Manning's going to be your number two hitter again maybe should check it probably pretty much program which should. Tito we appreciate time is always we'll talk to next week on the eve of the playoffs or -- right take care thanks you know that is a Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona joining us