10-16-08 Ron Darling, TBS Baseball Analyst

You know this is a big. Big night in Boston game five of the American League Championship Series. If you don't listen to it on the Red Sox radio net network with joke with that we don't go Arnold and Andris. You'll definitely be tuned in. At 730 for the pregame show which includes. Some great people that we know about Dennis Tankersley Reynolds has -- against the program. And during the broadcast. The man breaking it down analyzing -- along with buck Martinez and chip Carey. As our next guest Ron darling -- we said you're going to be on the show.

All your people from high school just just the fifth -- that. After about fans ask about Bob. The game against lob low when he does what it's hitting and is pitching with a.

Of course I do look limits it's always great comeback -- a -- it appeared able to to Cain struck Fenway Park which. I was typical all of us which means -- Played there -- cup play they're not broadcast games -- so open it's always on during the comeback human participants every game. And it's just it's a dream come true it's true.

You said on the air who wants it to your family was was happy when you lost the you know one zipper twos -- game in the Red Sox won it was a perfect situation for your family unit pitched poorly. But the Red Sox won.

You know luckily we lost the game and the Mets lost him wandered -- into the and it was an unearned runs -- perfect that the that the mighty Kerry's state. Stated zero. Put them the Mets lost game so that when my mother. How does it and I like -- while 6070 human. And hand and one Europe that a fact.

That's funny here's here's an email I got me about Jim writes in says. Ask rod of your members the American League American legion baseball mass state finals in 1978.

Well we're kind of funny and was lucky enough to plan postings my brother Eddie who was a great athletes on right yes. I played all over the states from Little League days we lost to a report for a 1. Went to the league World Series that. The play in both for third and stern ways and exploration could ever play a round -- on the scripts they'd so I got to see it by play amateur baseball.

Let's talk about the team is playing professional baseball tonight in Fenway Park. I'd never envision a scenario. In which the rule which in which raids which scored 22 runs. Over two games against the Red Sox at Fenway Park who. Have you seen anything like this in -- championship series.

Thought I'd never out you know usually the pitching takes precedence over over any kind of interest to. Doesn't matter how strong it is but whatever reason I think they've just. They've been fortunate in this way. You know Josh Beckett is it is kind of pitching consultant the shape. After having sustained injuries to -- was season Lester has won that game last four months. And Wakefield had pitched two days that being said. You'd you'd think -- if they -- Pia 6%. Scored in the -- and one -- thirteen next system is part of the police. Now that being said no other team in the playoffs. And that includes the thought in the last night that go Matsuzaka -- Whatever go Beckett won twelve games please note his pedigree and -- but in the best pitcher in baseball last. Post he'll start at sixteen -- and so. You know the reds I can't -- not to have to -- was well on that when 11. May have to went right. And I I think all of sudden you know there's got to be a little bit ago. Put -- intent and really. You know any of oppression than it's ever been in this series. Was really on the Red -- and champions I think certainly now.

Well that leads me to my question which is you agree or disagree with Joe Ben's move with starting Kazmir is -- we both said. Basically you're saying okay we're not going to -- our best pitcher and potentially give up that momentum that you just talked about so what's your take on the.

Well my take this statement that patrol and that I'm in the club and they. A talking about this opens things which you know that -- go to Tibet council right now I think it will likely to use that as motivation. I understand the move because of the -- has -- the second half. He has off state on can be of use whatever ripple and people need to use was kind of comment on test. Five and have decent game. He's always pitched pretty well and -- apart. So does a lot of signs that. That work one way the only problem for me is that shields was unbelievable game one despite the loss you know obstacles better. And of that whole attitude having you know or. Cleats on the road to another team what kind of continue to have that. And I think that because well they ample testing in the second and address and have battle it chip on -- in the on the past the and secondly they say. You know that we we got to. In it sucks at it that -- last two games they believe it was which bonds was chances pitchers have good part of the.

Well I mean you talk a little bit about it about the momentum and isn't the case where. Okay the -- they opened the door for the Red Sox and they win this game and at a young you would know better than I but a young team like Tampa who. Roy has been feeding on this momentum in this confidence all of sudden I would imagine go to game -- with some doubts that you might not have going into game five.

Yeah I think you're right it's up inaudible. They're doing to. Sure that's -- shields pitched game one against Philadelphia if women's open because it's apple Wednesday. I. Right behind you think. It's the pressure's on them. On the -- pay -- and I think each time. -- eighty. Closing this chip away -- but that's that is going to get and that's harder. Miracles is up. You know numbers. No that's it. Went nine to use their you know what they've they've won game two and and game one so. That that's positive steroid artistic that the longer you let this go. The better chance Red Sox have come up with a a semi miracle because you know you watch -- sort of watching games at -- couldn't play any better. I think that's right now which as they look like -- Tired to but the you know that being said. One game these guys content -- they are defending champs they're the people played really tough games all matter -- extent -- rates.

you guys and broadcast it's obvious to me that. Buck Martinez was a catcher I think he talks about catching very well and it's obvious that you pitch for a long time -- had a lot of success because you talk about pitching very well. I say that to say this -- with with Josh Beckett from a pitcher's perspective when you look at him. Is there something that he's not throwing is there -- that you see. That's usually part of his repertoire that he's not using them.

Well I think there's two things I think she's a little short to what I mean by that short on is. -- also sort of ninety's. Five and six seven. He's 919293. -- that's come up and be effective accused. He -- a fraction longer to see the pitch. Secondly his location has not -- words which usually is. When you have watched prospect pitch you always all of that outside right and the like his money pitch when he needs to pitch you don't want to get it. Has not developed to. And why. You know he's pitching himself back into. Kind of shape which and so back into the rotation and that's hard and -- in the in the postseason usually he's come -- the policies on top of this. And he's turned -- much he's really in the middle of the game out tried to turn out to be competitive I think. In a war itself there of course there's going to be in the and and they're open. It's a wonder if those shots in six in the article that way and that secondly that did that every time goes that is better and better. And that by it because there's no one else pitched better on the spotlight.

Now when -- in the future. Will that will will there be a game six.

I think there's going to be against I think that to raise. Shall that. You know they've been the best team and so are the what does that mean -- in means in the post season against the team from the champions it's almost like in the box. You know -- guys go and knock out -- as devastating a count all the rest such an account absolutely. But. Depression world now -- not execute -- the other day and I think Q well would really too because he is kind of unpredictably. Predictable in the sense that tickled against this team. Every time it got to look too low round of the the Wakefield they've gotten a fast and so -- strikes on -- these guys watch all year. He's that the players' strike and so he feels like it these -- here as he walks the bases loaded walks one and he's going to bend not break -- to that by these. These prescription. The try to get this team.

Bought another key element of the Red Sox the river tees. Again from the pitcher's perspective you can just look at it will be be with a little different critical -- and what are you seeing what are you saying how are they approaching him is he getting pitches to head why is he struggling a little bit.

Yell -- on talks but his -- but that interest but I think. Lakes have not been underneath and he looks to -- foundations that they said that that's real power arms. Other of them on the spot which the other day and he can be very deceptive. -- power arms -- pitched in and very very hard but I think that he felt that he's been getting jammed inside -- if you asked David. But he's told us open or else he's gotten the pitches they hit. He just missed and that's that's that's a good side. The -- is pitching tonight. Detroit had a couple months it was had a big game Jason -- had a big game. So. Go right handers I think this is can work honestly Ortiz probably won't factor but you have to have those guys have. Big huge games from a couple hits each and hopefully people.

Ron we were talking earlier about Jason Varitek and and they in the effect of a of a catcher and his impact on the game calling the game. You pitched for why you pitched to a hall of Famer Gary Carter. What was it back and forth like -- came to you did you allow him to call the entire game -- he. Just put down some suggestions that you through what you wanted to throw how did that go.

All right I think -- Jason in the same way that the that -- as a veteran. You know you listened and they probably have last or not because you know. He's really their eyes -- of Terry Francona. John Farrell also there are two excellent eligible I've played aggressive these numbers you wore as a pitcher or -- listened to. Two adjacent but it also veteran pitchers. You know it's better to be a percent behind the Rockets and 50% behind the right pitch and and I think that it just would agree with that that the he might know right pitched but sometimes the pitcher has to feel something obstacle that so I think Jason does that as well any catcher in baseball but he. -- takes the temperature of the team options on top -- pitchers and use those three. -- successful.

I can imagine you got the the catcher telling yourself and -- on the mound especially when you're struggling you're the catcher comes out. Then the pitching coach comes out sometimes what you just once they go back at some -- like here which I know exactly what you're going to tell me don't tell me then I'm opening up and all this other nonsense.

Right but it. Yeah. Realize that they want. I think they'll try to use those strike people. They have those aren't out there either of those meetings and never it never took a while ago. A pitch and -- thought -- good though you know it's always a kind of a crisis time but. The -- coaches John Carroll certainly is one of those and and that you keep to the other side of that the watched them to protest it Will Paul Paul elected to try to. Try to to view on rest and I'm reminded weapon next to causes such a in the -- kinda game. That's what to trying to do was stopped in what happened and what.

Ron welcome home thanks for joining us -- hope you have a great game to broadcast tonight and into breakdown and analyze.

Well -- whether it's going to be great and I'm really excited because it could compete you know it's going to be eight teams that that is defending its championship and it's going to fight. Let that go what happened.

Okay Ron thanks a lot we're appreciative Textron appreciate Ron darling. TB yes broadcaster.