Joe Castiglione & Dave O'Brien, Red Sox Pregame

Our thanks very much John you'll be updating us on the All-Star team which is being announced between one and 2 PM today. But they've after today this -- half over the Red Sox going with a one game lead over the Yankees and what it could've been I think makes that a little bit disappointing. Seeing that the Red Sox had a four game lead just few days ago.

And I think recently in particular it's been somewhat disappointing Joe because we -- that Washington series feeling like the Red Sox had a very very good chance to sweep. And did not the young starters Immelman really locked down the Boston bats and the Atlanta series was more of the same at least in one scenario where they felt like they could handle young starter in that did not happen now. Losing these first two games to Seattle the Mariners by doing 33 years have never swept the Red Sox. Here at Fenway Park in a three or four game series and are on the verge of doing that and all of a sudden the Red Sox five game lead is dissipated down the one. Here at the 81 game marked. -- Jason Bay he's been in a slump and certainly Mike Lowell is sorely missed. And and that affects the rest of the lineup obviously is so many ways but I think it in his leadership and his ability. To deliver clutch hits Mike was on a very very solid RBI pace to drive in about ninety maybe a hundred runs that was the pace he was on before they get. Now he can catch fire he's available right after the All-Star break. He's made comments in the last 24 hours that he feels fantastic that the shot -- really done its work. And taking their fluid out of the hip is really. Ease the pain there and Mike is -- ago already get started again I think the Red Sox can right their ship there. A really have to take advantage of this schedule jolt from now until the break. With Oakland coming in next and really put a little more distance between themselves in the Yankees instead of going in the opposite direction. All right sacks are third in pitching. And run score they're fourth is that acceptable. I think probably I think that all things being equal the Red Sox would be happy with that as long as the pitching. Stays around where it is ranked number three with a 413 ERA this Seattle team surprising they are the best in the American League in earned run average. At three point 69 I think what you're gonna sees a Red Sox play better defense certainly Nick Green -- a lot of errors early. But he is settled in defensively they're shortstop Lowrie may be back in the second half as well we continue to solidify. That position in the cold weather I thought the Sox in April. Made some errors that they don't make in June July and August so right now the Sox from middle of the pack defensive team I expect them to move up. That will also help -- the pitching. Right in the bullpen of course has shown some cracks lately but that's gonna happen over the course of a long series specially with the use in particular guys like Ramirez. And Okajima although he continues to -- very very well. I think Ramirez case that looks to be a sign of a guy who has pitched a lot of innings and maybe it's caught up to him somewhat some very tense situations as well. The bullpen is is the best in the major leagues is just gone through a little bit of a slump. It happens in all facets of the game but when it does happen as it has in the last. A couple of series it really points out how good the -- is spent and how valuable it is that the big league level to have agreed bullpen. So other Red Sox -- mariners playing game three and then John he'll have All-Star word as soon as it comes through a well it will be a busy hour pregame show.