10-1-08 Buck Martinez, TBS Baseball Analyst

Joining us on the line right now is one of the guys will be calling tonight's game along with a chip -- buck Martinez is on the line but it's -- Michael in Boston how -- We're doing -- and very low -- I can't comment on ratings anyplace else I can promise you big numbers in Boston tonight though.

It that would look at -- you know about them as a tremendous. We had them out some great games on TBS there's summer and that we've always had great numbers -- but it. Hopefully there -- be able to watch a game and enjoy want to go home game.

I know you've been doing your homework already on this how do you see this series playing out do you get the advantage --

Well I you know I forget about this time of the year yet it has got everything better but I think the agent -- like advantage. I think it because of the uncertain -- withdrew and how well they are they going to be. I think Josh is going to be fine I'm not concerned about the pitching at all. I think you have you know there are few teams in baseball the -- in -- Jon Lester when they lose Josh Beckett that's pretty get. Jon Lester I think he's going to be he'll want to -- but it is for number of years and certainly has grown every time now. And now I don't think Terry Francona has any qualms whatsoever about what they're going to get from Jon Lester tonight that they have certain people. Injury and and J. D. Drew says stamina are big question mark or.

Buccaneer in your experience how hard is it I mean J. D. Drew is gonna play tonight by his own admission he's had a handful of at bats in the last. Six weeks how hard is it to go out and play at this level -- little little practice and inexperienced time.

Well it's hard for normal people that is not our pro shops. I think it'll be five you know what that is such a unique gap waited certainly defensive monster remember what he did. And Big Papi was out and he carried the team not. He was just so good so long it was hard to imagine anybody could maintain that kind of consistency hitting the ball so well. And yet he now he has met many at bats since the end of August that. He's a special guy and that they can stand out there any talk yesterday you know the hardest part just standing around. It is just dealt with a back injury note that there there are very few positions in which you can become comfortable but as far as timing said he was surprised by the army at -- few at bats. And that you know the adrenaline he's that was going to make up some of it. But day it's going to be a challenge but he's he's been the challenges in the past and it was special player.

We'll buck we don't have to play and you don't have to manage so that means we are allowed to get ahead of ourselves. Do you think the winner of this series will win the pennant.

I am. I am not ready there right out the Tampa bay -- I think you guys seeing firsthand -- they are. They came in the -- and in the reds are pounded on the first game and and it bounced back and beat that Almonte and won a great game in extra innings they're for real. They're not going away and and I don't think it's. I think this postseason overall only games that and the you know I would say probably the most challenged team as the brewers. Given the fact they don't have sheets they had the pitcher -- stretched. They might have the most difficult time I think the other seven teams all have a chance to -- of the World Series. And now I'm not discounted rate I'd love the one thing I think people are forgetting the Red Sox they're the reigning world champs. They had been down this road before. And they've got a bunch of professional guys in that locker room. You know I don't care what jackets he's going to get the best I was pitching staff and now I think that's a real asset if there -- edge in the head to head matchup -- right behind the plate. And I would get that it Ameritech.

But based on your experience and -- talk about the Tampa bay series they'll take on the White Sox. With the White Sox -- team that would go into the playoffs on a roll would be they B a team going into the playoffs worn out and used up.

I think emotionally there on a roll when he could have Ken Griffey junior. Future all of favorite -- Around at the plate and and Jim Thome a future hall of Famer if level on the home run which you know -- I think you -- they're awful. And now -- have a go down there their little bit older they have a tough time playing on turf because they don't have much speed. And net big game might be -- traps for them in Tampa bay but certainly I think they've got the momentum right now and then John Madden is going to make sure that. They don't just take them too lightly but there always a threat they hit home runs or Comerica got -- At the end of the season. I'd juniors always a trip he's not start where we saw on the ninety's that he changes the way pitchers pitch. And two nights ago and they have and when the -- that the Grand Slam Bobby he walked. On four pitches -- that set up a grand slams -- You know this is a team that would look them up a lot of power bat. I still think everybody is going to be able to root out quick them and played much better on net -- there at least the first two games.

I'm sure with your managing experience you look at. The four guys who are in the American League playoffs here and you see some things. That the rest of us don't see what manager. Does things that you think are are not inventive or clever mind who really jumps out that you among these four managers.

I think they all have strengths obviously because they've been able to get their teams and his point. And when you look at the managers -- a World Series ring so or Jazz or World Series ring. And that there's a lot of experience and Terry Francona has to -- you know everyone arm and that it is but I would say the guy that's probably going to be a little out of box would be Mike Scioscia. He knows he's got to force the issue it has a lot of Red Sox to any momentum. And I wouldn't be surprised if they squeezed if they ignorant but Torii Hunter if they'd they'd bunt with their catcher. And that they go first or third every chance they get because I think they play an up tempo game. I think Terry Francona understands that if they allowed -- Angels just that the temple of this series they will probably lose. So it's imperative that Jason -- their regards his pitchers to slow the game down and don't let the Angels -- in -- temple game.

just talk and Terry before we we spoke with you and and I made the observation that with his roster he could play Angels baseball to and he acknowledges that the and he thinks they do have the people to do that.

But there's no question about -- is the first that in many years that they -- at -- rely on a three run home run. You know Jacoby I was Berrian -- Coco can change -- of the game as well. They brought that can bunt single them out you know that put pressure on the team you know. I for one as a manager and a former catcher think that if you hit doubles that keep the pitcher. In a jam more than hitting home runs because these kotsay looking at their runner and scored position. And that's what Pedroia and you'll course and Crispin Ellsbury can do they can hit back to. The back to back doubles and keep the pressure on the pitcher and I think that Tuesday is an upbeat style of game that we haven't seemed to respect and a -- years.

Are you said earlier you give the edge of the Angels in the series. How about the other series Tampa and the White Sox oh what do you see there.

I I I give the edge to hit the bank they have the best home record in the majors that went 57 games on that turf. They have a remarkable record against -- and one -- chew when they've -- have a crowd over 30000 and obviously in the playoffs and there are. You would expect that they would have that kind of crowd. Crop -- becomes. While art for the mean activated. Any you might not have much of a presence with his back up. But I think he's the best left fielder in baseball. And if they can continue to get a great achievement at all season long. And he can have so an impact on these parents I think they'll make the big adjustment. Are the one question of course is how well when their bullpen and perform without Troy Percival. If if the Tampa bay rays starters pitched into the seventh inning I think it will be the White Sox.

Have you been surprised it. Scott Kazmir struggled here of late.

You know what it goes back to spring training you can have a spring training whether with a sore elbow yet in doubt about it and he's not throwing. Is biting slider effectively as he has in past years. But if he can get a fastball down into different pitch for an explosive when it's down. It's pretty pedestrian when -- Week that we gave up four home runs in his last start and I think that's concerned that. If he's capable of being shut down pitcher you guys to any pitch in that -- at how well he can pitch in that atmosphere. He doesn't shy away from anything but right now I think is location is a concern that they -- the fastball down. He should be effective but one guy that not many people know about that baseball players around the -- thought about it Matt Garza. -- as explosive. He's got a chance to pitch a no hitter without he coached lieutenant and I don't think he's going to be intimidated by the atmosphere policies and very well.

In 2005 when the White Sox win the World Series went on one of the great pitching runs. All of their starters that we've ever seen him it was just start after start quality start. You think any of these teams in the American League specifically you'd think anybody. Has the ability to put together a run like that in this post season.

The -- I think their rates -- I think -- debut because of Kazmir shields and Garza. I also think -- talk with Barrett figures that he expects Daisuke could be very good in his postseason. He's been good all year long but I think -- like now he's healthy. Now he can use all of his pitches having had so many weapons that he can -- dominant. So it be if you get Leicester on a roll if you get Daisuke heroin judge that they can -- Josh Beckett. That there's another club record string together a string of eight straight games and walk away with respect -- World Series.

It's funny you were talking about -- second how important and your former catching yourself in the globe today they've got a great stat. Three point 7 is the Red Sox pitchers ERA would bear -- catching with anybody else catching the ERA is four point 84.

Yeah there's no doubt about it is the eat the professor in the school of calling again there's no question he's got a master's degree and Matt is like a computer when he sits back there and I had the good fortune of working with him. But I managed team USA and the World Baseball Classic and you know I -- specifically about calling a game I asked him yesterday and he said well I'm always learning he's going to let from Pedro. I'll let the market early on. And I was fortunate to be with some old veteran pitchers that really knew how to pitch again and now I think in that information on happening along to my arms that. But he always learning he's always well prepared Gary got a little bit coach does a great job of working on the fundamentals what -- I think -- to -- Catching coach in the game but he does a heck of a job was very technical aspect. You know that that deserves all the credit that he's like the professor and a lot of them before the game you -- to the binder under normal all over the place and it pretty special and that the pitcher's pitch with a lot of companies went thirty precursor outside.

But when you played who helped -- in what do you think the the key to calling a good game is for a catcher.

The K well for the first the person that would question the answer your first question was trotted out the guys help may. And people lap ignorant and remember that walker -- Jack learned all about is getting from trotted out. Well island about catching and calling again -- as well together -- Kansas -- a bunch years my the key to calling a game is. Understanding who you're catching. Understanding what he can do and understanding is tension level in pressure situations. So when you get to a point of meeting called pitch. Don't ask the -- do something he can't do because he won't do it effectively I read that knows his pitchers better and anybody. And he's not going to ask Jon Lester a -- a freak Duke herbal. When he can close his eyes appropriate to veteran's side or right handed hitter. You always want to make the pitcher most competent in a -- calls were not all about knowing what the weaknesses are. Knowing the strength -- pitcher.

Final question before we -- ago -- were you a believer in Dustin Pedroia before this year and are you now.

While I -- grant last year and he proved it to me an area where series going to be in the third repeated here all run in the World Series leading up again. This guy believes he can beat you think he babe -- And you know -- the people you up that energy. You know once again you know why me is called up eight degree programs up and Ariza what do. And -- To keep it got quiet understand how much about the play. It makes you proud of that -- the way baseball should be played in the everybody plate with Dustin -- preparation his enthusiasm it is hard. Indeed the best game we've ever been.

Well as I said you guys will have huge numbers in Boston tonight will all be watching. Here working with chip -- game one of the series tonight we really appreciate taken the time to join us.

Well we look forward is that a good job for you guys.

Thanks -- Take care of that as a buck Martinez. Will be the color announcer for chip carry out for tonight's game one.