10-7-08 Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports

Joining us at 1210 today as he does each and every Tuesday at this time on the eighteenth tee hotline from fox sports is Ken Rosenthal take and I -- I'm doing great again how I thought I was going great woods of the of that game last night.

All of the last three games are all great. -- what was really the last night live but that was a rich game part of that -- on the lot going on it.

Hey John Lackey notwithstanding. Are the four best teams in baseball the four teams that are left standing.

The Angels and while the best in the regular season. Are certainly in or certainly they should be spoken of in the have. And not the best right now. And sometimes happen that way in the post these. Teams get hotter by the Phillies and Dodgers clearly in the nationally in the past. And yet -- read and Red Sox but the best hurt in the I was like so many other people very surprised by -- Angels played. And really it was from first pitched a -- there was stuff going.

It's not like them but the same time they were not really tested after about on the July. -- you wonder how much that affected.

Right now there's no question -- raid. Or four best teams in. Will be on -- Series that are upcoming both American and nationally. Should be you'd never know which should be very competitive because there's not really dominant team that there were really it.

You know can we had that we had a collar earlier today said I know I'd love to see Mark Teixeira. In the Red Sox uniform I don't want to focus on that where he's going to free agency. But I don't really want to focus on his numbers in this series yes he had a great batting average but when Mike Napoli. Is your biggest power threat. If not an indictment of Guerrero. And Teixeira and to a degree Torii Hunter.

It's part to say that the problem in -- Teixeira Mike and I and Europe. He certainly got it it's certainly on base made him late night last night he currently. But. At some point. You have it -- outscored your typical ways which they were so. When you're struggling with runners on position in small ball is paying off. Yeah home runs in the answers and Mike Napoli should not been -- leader. In really they've got a very interest in all of these. Because it's aero. After the but their option on his creation in exceed. Lackey in the same position. -- thank you read read it is a free agent and is Juan -- So. They've made -- really. Tough decision and if I am I definitely think -- or expect where. He looks old plays gold to a certain degree not at the plate but elsewhere. In.

Is he really excited take in the next. I would say -- areas -- better.

Choice and that record.

a couple of teams that because of of the way the playoff races went. Had to kind of change from the norm and shorten up their pitching staffs and you had guys going on short rest. And without exception you now see in what happened the White Sox you see what happened of the Milwaukee Brewers I think we now know that. Even though the old guys -- of the Dick raddatz is of the world. The Dennis -- sleaze of the world to a lesser degree don't want to hear it. You can't do that anymore in this day and age if you shorten up your pitching staff if you go on short rest more than all our time -- too. You're in trouble.

Right -- your trouble for a couple read. If you're doing first place. It means your short the only reason you're doing to -- short so even. The pretty strain on one of the pitcher's view. Of -- small number and ultimately. In certain period I'm it will catch up with. Certainly he's he's -- in the wall last start. The White Sox guys were pushed really hard but why would suggest -- if they were on normal rest for the past month they lost the race. So. Pitching depth is huge in that is one reason why have liked -- store. In -- in from rotations standpoint they've got a lot of -- if you'd have rejected this series on the roster. In the guy won fourteen games.

I think based on the on the division series can we look at the Red Sox and we say at least for this past series. Jon Lester was the case you look at the rays and their series. With the White Sox. Does or doesn't ace America from that series or was that a case that you just said of organizational pitching --

No it's not. Just that it's not -- the right or guys out there just okay shield is really good. Garza. On the right page can be really as content. -- has varied his start. Struggled again in the first inning with like -- have all kinds of problems and kind of right now so that was really urging. Situation that he was able to command huge -- I had a couple of captain only that. He is just really mechanical right now lip read and one of those out these that the reason that. He's because he is protecting in danger. And I you know at short and -- it would meet that but he had that problem of course this year LOY in just where you'd physically. But the way he -- it's Ottawa incurred. So which ill and had Garza. I don't have the dominant number one yet in the shall ever be making more effort to. But each of these guys is legitimate top of the location -- And that's where they are.

You I'm sure saw this the squeeze play in the ninth inning last night and now I'm wondering and and this was the question I asked earlier hopefully somebody give me an answer if the other bang bang play at the plate Reggie Willits -- over Jason -- attack. The umpire waits to make sure Barrett tackles on the ball. And then calls the -- safer route. What's the difference between that. And what happened at third base last night.

That's the question in my social net after the it's funny and went to the book after the game dale and I can't find I can't buy it. Game. If it's not in the -- something that perhaps should be explored. With the umpires just to get the explanation. Her it would it would talked about which is controlled the ball. In ruling was that -- it had control the ball long and not. I believe that the correct call if you look at the replay. He really take control what I'm -- it in the attic for. Second -- it's really hit the ground hard and popped out. The same time the Angels you know why there -- it was something that it happened the Red Sox Red Sox players. Would be how well. It is time you know what get down the ball. And order the points. Don't even try to but about basket Erica I ordered a fly ball.

Well it can't is that we we talked about that earlier. Would that be out of character for the Angels and this is how they played all year is.

It is how to play and they pressed the action in all of -- four because they play a brand of baseball that is exciting. Change it forces that he'd -- to react a lot of pressure on the opponent. But the other things that they do as a consequence it. Is run into a lot of now and they except except the trade off that exists -- that type of game. But let's go back last. Eric I have are. Sit there we. Want to. -- Most hitters in this game should be able to fly ball hopefully in that situation would be -- would have to use it certainly. Even if you want to squeeze. Think about that way. Want to look at the other way that okay but they are part of the aisle five all and -- Chone Figgins that would to it already in the two out. To me that's a better way. And I thought they got to Ellis -- Even know I've Bartlett and sacrifices and all that just as well.

Well you know our public and adding a he's he's the number nine hitter and as you said he let them and sacrifice it. You look at his numbers and you wonder. If his numbers are inflated because. Here here -- his season numbers to 77. Which is a lot better than I I'm beginning to 252 -- Three homers 39 RBIs. But on base percentage of 314 mid -- they didn't just maybe I didn't trust.

Well that and that's very possible and let's face it his first hit series that's where evidence that they gain. Game -- so he was spoke to thirteen to that point. It read it last night. And I can understand the logic but again. It was just blow but it reached. Because you know what when your manager Michael. In a lot of matches for a squeezes like this where XY and Z go wrong and only. -- right.

If if we start with the premise that these little match up things that newspapers and web sites -- Are hooked on you know. Pitching though the Red Sox have the advantage over the Angels and bullpen and the Angels -- the advantage. We get to the point of managing. And it was funny because nick part of with a globe did one of those and gave Mike -- the check mark -- the Angels have the advantage in the managing department. If somebody does one of these same things for the Tampa bay series somebody will give Joe -- a check mark and say that the rays have the advantage in the managing matchup. What exactly does Terry Francona have to do before he starts getting some of those check marks those Bill Belichick no question check marks.

If you heard about it -- just want to keep winning all I know he's not worried about it and strategic the -- has to definite stop. That he's -- is -- that -- the eight are clearly reflection of his. Vision of the way the game should be played. A debate to an extent as well. Recorded and have that type of you're right -- point he is forever under reached an era that actually are right -- the guy. Just win. I question if -- in this series I question why did go well Estes like this. In the eighth inning repeatedly. But. -- assistant. You know what. Except that they've had under or American League Championship Series in the last six. Age of parity in there is parity because of what people have bought and --

It's pretty impressive and they got a chance to witness there well pitchers in five years actually impressive they've done it.

Different guys. Just happens -- Winning culture. And witty and emplacement Manny was there because he's the guys that are on the but. I rotated in. Late ninety's -- It actually believe. It's like. Being -- now. They are. Noted one out away. And they just go in.

That matters huge part.

It's interesting that you mention Masterson I was Annandale earlier. If the Red Sox lose that game tonight.

All the more phone calls are absolutely Francona brought up about using. --

Absolutely so it I don't I don't know -- maybe they just they think that he he's great knees. He can handle the pressure but I will say in this series at times. He's been a little shaky.

and there's no question about that and it's curious to me. Why they -- with -- out there in the situation.

Well last night I knew why. Because Papelbon wasn't available.

Right of course but hey this is -- titles. And obviously. These the other match and the this makeup and -- but he's very strong it that way but. He chose. To be their own ability. In seventh and eighth inning going to write it out -- like. And that's something that. Could be a factor in this next.

Yeah that we said before the ankle series started if you looked at it. You would give the Angels the advantage in the bullpen and the Red Sox are extremely vulnerable there.

Right and -- open it actually performed pretty well in fairness. And they -- good job getting these guys go and put them in the right places all of that but. Experience standpoint he -- short game. There are a lot of people on the at this site questioned whether Tampa bay can keep doing what -- JP Howell grip pal or were really. In the White Sox series. So. Certainly -- that the edge closer. Dan Wheeler but the rest of it. That tilts toward the race and -- much of the rotation of victory either even -- the Red Sox have clearly the best pitcher in this series in last.

So it sounds like if I'm asking you right now we alike in the American league championship. You're leaning Tampa --

I certainly can't debate. In the reasonably camp to date is because Beckett in the uncertainties surrounding him in the law lol. It just what that does to their offense. Do little bit short or shorter. -- where they've been before.

Do you think this is a seven game series can.

Michael both series national and American. I have -- I was true for the first round. The I think about the chances that I do it failed pat myself on the back what they even though. It didn't really. -- now my first set whenever the Cubs Dodgers preview if I had any got it to the.

Except you did logical myself out.

That -- exactly right but I -- and people for the they were a better team. -- Credit for.

With the Dodgers -- Let let me ask you this is that you brought it up with the Cubs. Because people in Chicago land we'll tell you that we're curse -- mrs. O'Leary angered about. You know we'll go back to the -- Collins and Billy goat knock out the stuff you know it's just it's just a bad vibe in Chicago. When you look at it. If if he had -- back in the day. And ignore it when you wrote your preview. What would have. Given what what would have made you give the edge to the Dodgers because I still think the Cubs -- the better team what while while tomorrow.

Derek Lowe was -- He's the hottest pitcher in baseball right now even hotter than mr. Lester done for about every week where he's been displayed. Road -- at home another reason in really good hole it'd be camber. And number two it was Billingsley he's very good and they'll wind up with for Kolb now back in. It's better than even was two weeks ago so. They were a lot of reasons to like. The doctors. What no one expected including myself was Ryan Dempster walked the ballpark game. And the -- the play and I don't understand why that happened. This stuff about curses and Billy goat the black -- used guys go to real. A bunch of -- And at some point you have the right combination of players. Change just result rest. They -- at that point now. In fact -- at a point very similar regret not worry after. That you could they want to culture at that point their to a department. But. I think got the -- Quite a bit. In at fifteen year period 88. Had gotten. In the post we -- been in here. Dish for the cut should be the game. I think they just don't even have to do it is going to come back next year maybe a couple of support. Figure out what that there was no way did just try again you have to keep trying -- beat down the wall. It was to be out all of the Red Sox have found. It is.

Do you have the courage to pick the Dodgers over the Phillies.

That yet -- about as courageous but I love the courage --

Well why isn't it as Korey just -- the Phillies are pretty good today.

Against the Dodgers pitching is really good. And people -- well. As well right now. The Phillies offense while. Very -- explosive is inconsistent. Howard -- utley. Up and down gain Howard utley -- have much series against Milwaukee Howard was walked quite a bit. Brought it to anything laughed. So. That boast about them also boast about -- notable. He started go out they hitters six. But this will be a very competitors. I would not be surprised. Especially with -- he's. But the --

Your protection we thought we call this a Peter king -- the pats are back and and it.

I -- anybody pretend that they've got this all. Week. I would not be right one but it do you think dot deep.

We pretend every day. Every day either -- we now. We appreciate a lot of I was always we will see you up some are out on the baseball beat here in the next weaker so we'll talk to next week as well. Thank our president Ken Rosenthal brought you by eighteenth -- with more bars in more places. Switch to the wireless network with the best global coverage. AT&T. -- world Miller.