08-19-08 Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports

Joining us now on the AT&T hotline from fox sports is Ken Rosenthal they can write out double dip -- a better average on our pregame show last night. Is everywhere. Not company games in Baltimore do you -- say.

Actually be perfectly honest all that and -- right duties when a team like the Red Sox. Contender. Or team with players that ought to restore whatever. I look throughout the game and generally talk to those guys which is what I did last night as a -- commitment last night so. I'll do that in Oklahoma watch the other games or write whatever.

He probably had to remind yourself that you Baltimore last night.

I was reading Michael I'm sitting -- and I -- keeping Comcast. I. Gates -- while I was eight. And despite was stunning it always it eat that many aunts and he's the Baltimore park. It's also that we -- the Yankees to count but. With the Red Sox. They've been successful got.

Does Baltimore ownership Baltimore -- marketing types do do they care. That. The park can be taken over by Red Sox and Yankees fans.

On one -- They don't because. The bottom line is better for. Clearly been acting will be out ballpark for the Orioles on his Red Sox or Yankees. On the other hand it is just sort spot game it is sore spot several years this goes back. -- nine years -- in the Orioles have decline in. But the only answer to that is to play better. For the better team on the field and maybe you'll attract more your own fans to be stating it is very simple equation so. If they're upset about it. -- is something about and it doesn't bother the players they repeatedly and over the years. Robert St. It's just that -- comfortable feeling to be the home team not receive support craft.

Baltimore fans got a chance to see Jon Lester. Shut down an offense that's been really really good lately I mean did the -- which will about the Orioles they've hit the ball great. And Lester looked terrific again last night.

He has had one of the best predictors of any players need to be. It is seen him ritual like this become. The pitcher that somebody compared to Andy Pettitte. And really -- see. Take -- the Red Sox aces he's at least. In accomplishment not act well out. Has been really something. When you talk about the Red Sox right now goes to their pitching. Virtually everyone on that staff with the exception of apple. Some kind of war right now. In -- of course the other.

Do you see Andy Pettitte and Jon Lester I'm the only reason I think people compare the padded their both lefties but. Does he remind you better or I have not who does he remind you.

I don't know the remind me -- anyone. In particular and and it is a different pitcher. Different repertoire. But also pretty well. Off -- And that's one reason you'd Paris. But with Lester. What's so neat about his state to think back after the cancer but the fact that -- treated. With many. Rights for Alex -- And all the other thing. They go back in the history. Here is it was that great debate so many years ago Lester burst apple -- in the Red Sox organization. Well both stars.

Tonight Daisuke gets chance to go back out there and and I know that his walks drive people crazy. And and I know you can't take the walks out of the equation but if you look at all of his numbers. And is fourteen and two record -- and we talked about this week ago I mean for at least the cy young Award winner in the American League but Daisuke is going to end up being in the conversation.

Legitimate -- can't because of the way he's pitched in the numbers between all of that but. We now. In the game. Generally discount win more than. In the past this statistical people shown people. That wins or measure pitcher's performance were released. Bullpen support run support. And -- ERA. And walks and hit it strikeout walk ratio all of those. Those are better measure so Daisuke might get if you vote -- but I don't see him being. Very serious part of the discussion. Quickly. It Halladay.

That you don't like dice -- I mean take the wins away I guess I mean for the sake of this discussion. You don't like the other numbers that Daisuke has -- table.

Not to the extent that I would put him in conversation with Halladay and late. You're right I mean total numbers are okay bye. And no one who has seen him which -- did you guys it is it is red.

I always say and an all I've now all I've said is he's going to be in the top five this year.

I know he's fourteen to two point 7421. Innings which -- all that many openings. And country strike out simply to walk. -- get some votes yet we'll get some votes but. Yanked at his walk -- it's pretty pitched one point we can't to a quick hook on how would you rate to that number one point we.

One point three war -- Roy Halladay.

One point 4.

Okay I just hope your your brother and sister and a stick to this very rigorous. Statistical analysis because there have been many years. That hasn't all that mattered was wins caveat I I think fact that 2000. I asked him out of we don't like Barry Zito -- I won the side shouldn't point three wins.

Okay what you're saying is that. All of that knowledge that's available. Albeit light as -- it is over the years we should just ignore because in the past the voters have just Hughes went up. It has to -- I'll. -- all -- been brought polite -- case the numbers are press she'll win you're a no question but. Well I want him on the mound burst with LeRoy Halladay is -- the best pitcher in the league now.

We are having discussion earlier about CC sabathia is performance last night. For the Milwaukee Brewers and at the risk of of tainting your opinion or where shading at a younger irresponsible.

I disagree with you but that's okay got a -- I disagree were -- to let. He throughout 130 pitches right. They have a bad bullpen. He was he was playing he was he was pitching well he's been pitching well for Milwaukee. Also what what's what's the number is 115 a good number is it. 15 what's the number that we should all be paying attention to this arbitrary number where it's okay to say okay -- victor has about the game. So what to expect your bullpen probably seven run lead. So okay if it's nine to two and yet thrown 95 pitches he should come out of the game I would. I've just got a line when happily.

You call the American League Championship Series I don't okay. They denied he was tired they -- Carmona was tired there reality is he probably it was. You have a certain number of bullets in your. Reach these for your career. And you want to preserve. And it's simply wasteful. Q let him pitch the ninth inning of the game. 92 lead when he enters the 911. Pitch. I could be in the minority and.

look at. That -- How about this game. Do you think that every pitcher who retires. Has exhausted all of the bullets in his arm. In other -- to guys retire with something left. ME IR reject the whole notion that you know you going to use everything you've got. In your arm it that your careers going to be over mean they are history tells us up that completely.

Okay but the same time watch with. There are reasons why these things occur and with the pitch count thing bothers me is that much as any. It also is a reality of the waiting game is played. And so pitchers start getting trained if we are getting trained to throw 120.

About -- And you to have this issue.

Connected now now you come right into my wheel house I agree with you -- agree with you on that. Until you arts trained to do it that way look at Roy Halladay Halladay is trained to be a guy a horse. CC sabathia is a horse other guys art so specialist they need the specialists they need to help. Well these guys don't need help. Okay.

I respect your opinion. I'm not with the.

I I actually think holidays and even worse example because allowing him to throw complete games you know. And I think it's I think it's done with Halladay -- and especially in situations -- the team is out of it. You know and and this has been history in the past I'm not suggesting their out of it yet although it's close and he's out there thrown complete games and some.

Cameron I don't have that and I respect the man signed a contract to pitch he's a starting pitcher he's going to give your money's worth. I'll like it now that that can't don't it don't get it with -- I don't think that every. Teams should do this I don't think every pitcher should be that's when I -- those those old bastard the way it used to be people. But I think in there are some cases in the 21 century where guys are able to do it -- if you're able to do what I think.

What what -- what it -- Ned you know say and what did what did CC sabathia said.

First like discount anything. Affect pitchers never cultures out what they think about these kind. And videos to me will be answered this question to a three weeks perhaps the post -- they get there if these these Tibet issues. He which very well.

I think it's great last year he received the bat yet okay cy young winner people problem the reason. He won this guy over Josh Beckett because it's the 240 innings that the Beckett.

200 that's significant. Voted tonight I hate it's great yes 40 morning.

Now when they don't perform well in the post season you make a -- for post season performance Carmona may have --

Don't perform well it's because the innings of data that's right I still love him.

Last night in Tampa bay for the -- especially when he's wrong until last night in Tampa bay. For the third time in two weeks BJ Upton didn't hustle. For the third time in two weeks he jogged on the ball he thought he'd hit out of the park got thrown out at second base. -- Joe Madden is benched in the two previous times he didn't pull him out of the game last night what's the long term what is still -- going to do with this guy long term.

First all they'll last night from what I read it did not play. He. Did not so much is help helpful. But simply failed to understand situation. And it was more mental mistake and absolute. -- I don't know what he's. Clearly go for whatever reason -- pressure and -- something -- off the field. He just has not been told me these last couple we. Cliff Floyd -- of which -- after the game. About. Cliff Floyd is one of BJ Upton good friend biggest backers. So and strike me if -- now lately the club have to clean up in. I trust that BJ Upton openly will be fine he's just too -- it. -- it reared it sidetracked -- these.

Joe Madden did something else that got my attention are locked in the -- there were intentionally. Walked in Iran. Because he didn't want to pitch to Josh Hamilton. What did you think of that move.

I loved it. And -- is when bird was a Kane Joe -- just side. Title game -- I don't want to deal with his game record I've read a view of the next guy. In have a right on right matchup. And to me we've got a little depression you'd pull back. In the right situation right here was wronged hitter looked. You do it and I liked it which alternate with bonds years back like it in this particular cases.

I don't think it's been announced as yet but it's believed that it will be announced today that. Greg Maddux has been acquired by the LA Dodgers what do you think of the small.

I like it for the Dodgers. With penny going down. They certainly could use the starter. They also help in the bullpen of the marketable in general park they'll give more depth there. -- not back yet might not be back. I've got a call up now about what the Dodgers it. That's still going to block -- on. From point back something that they had every opportunity to view. I don't understand why they didn't do that and understand line if we trade Dodgers make the -- on money. This when it sound like there's some kind of split with the money taking -- two point lead in the matches do. But in terms of -- baseball good.

Does the acquisition of Paul Byrd by the Red Sox and does that put them on par with. The Angels and raised in terms of best starting pitching staffs in the American League.

You know. I like altered by. Right now we look at the rotation without. I'm not worried about Beckett but that it is it -- You know what he had won last year at this Wakefield out loans questions vocal performed portly. There are a lot of different issues there and obviously not a not -- been signed by. -- The number five of thirteen we know we elect to win anymore like I just said that but thirteen -- number five starter out I like it. And the Angels. -- I don't love Weaver wrong but there okay so all those teams right now won five or he could.

I'm curious we had this discussion earlier about Clay Buchholz who has obviously disappointed right now to -- RA north of six. But going into the season. What -- jewel expect Buchholz was going to provide we'll go back to that's that that we don't like anymore in terms of wins.

I thought he'd be quality pitcher for the maybe not. Oh wiped out kinda guy his first year but someone. This is a young pitcher going through normal ups and down. Lack of confidence right now it's apparent from the -- that people that that was their opinion. And also. I -- little that loss. He is going to be fine -- defense eventually he's going to be hatred that they ish. But when you're young guy. China is your view on the in Boston in the middle of a tight pennant race. It's a lot that. Certainly has the ability certainly has to stop. Any time all of that probably show. Choi at gateway. But right now shut.

And speaking of struggles last night Jason very tech had a home run but. He's been -- life and death with 215 to twenty for the -- of the season. A what are what do you think the Red Sox can do on out I believe they'll bring back Jason Varitek just about the numbers that. He's expecting what can they do in terms of me. Of about 180. -- catcher out there is there anybody in free agency anybody who is looking for a new contract and therefore might be traded.

create. Outside a pudge Rodriguez. And he news that the pack in his career. The most interesting guy who might be traded. Kelly -- And I think -- because the Indians are needed tree. Had a break out year -- become the player at the Red Sox thought it would when in the farms system. He's also the best player that trade if you look at it right now at a Coco Andy -- But otherwise the catching market. And in fact the Red Sox have been looking for young catcher for quite some time. Private investigator in the market at all times around trying to -- some things. Haven't had anything happened yet so. It's something that there's going to continue to look at effective David Ross right now these by the red I was going to ask you -- Higher on base percentage of the red one of those veteran guys that. Would be just back up so that could be. Temporary solution but. At some point they need to find these young guys that they can bank. Like your -- without leaders and have won it last year. You know the Red Sox like some of the kids in his system but oddities though they aren't.

May you know you just bring up and ended an interesting point about the Orioles and using the top draft pick. Is that what it's necessary mean as it is catching like that the new pitching you have to it to really get it to get what you want -- have to invest. A very high draft choice.

Even their Michael there aren't a lot of catchers out there are considered impact type guys. This kid bureau of drafted. -- drafted last year that we -- Really the best catching prospects now. When in our that was probably 23. And I know. Is not an everyday occurrence we even have a catcher of this quality. -- drafted so it has become a really difficult this. Do you find quality all around player.

You know -- blame some of these kids want to play and what what that answer. Could could Ross catch the knuckleball by the way.

I don't know that. That's very good question because that will be the that's the question of the hour yeah.

Even if he can't. Which could do if the Red Sox signed him. Put a triple -- for a couple weeks and bring up in September. And you realize.

That's third catcher and lots of roster at that point can we appreciate the time is always. I'm -- Baltimore you going to be at the game -- tonight or tomorrow. --

Are excited I was stick fox sports with a dinner check our our make up. We'll see over there -- again thanks gonna take catch. Ken Rosenthal brought to you by eighteenth -- with more bars in more places switched to the wireless network with the best global coverage. AT&T. Your world delivered.