Clubhouse Insider

It's the Red Sox and Yankees from Fenway Park this is our Herb Chambers Mercedes-Benz pregame show and it's time for the clubhouse insider WEEI dot com rob Bradford alongside rob Yankees are here in this situation is a little bit different than last time they -- certainly at least. The last time they began a series which was in new York at that point in time it was a two and a half game deficit at this point time it is a six and a half game deficit. I know the company line so to speak from the Red Sox is they're not concerned right now with that number that six and a half game gap but if they have any hope. Of sticking in this division race and -- the start this week.

is no question your rights of way things have turned around it. When Yankees left town last time you head owners to meeting you had. A curse is being thrown around you had on the Red Sox going to run away they have the Yankees number in. And all of sudden everything is turned around the last couple months Yankees since that time the Yankees have the second best record in baseball. The straight now a lot of things both notably I think is there eighth inning bullpen situation which has been the best in baseball that Philip Hughes went there and yeah in the Red Sox I think -- they playing well the Yankees are playing well so this is one of the few times this year were both teams. Are kind of right the ship and we can see what they have to offer -- if there Red Sox are to have any chance the captain the Yankees with a longshot to begin with the have to do with this weekend.

Just for clarification sake that was John Henry Twitter account yet authorized the yes -- yes yes we we we have authorization. To credit starts tonight. If you looked at any -- the end of last year you might have characterized him as a liability now. He is a part of what it's been very strong rotation for the Yankees. What's been the difference for any credit because he looks like the independent of several years ago recently.

Yeah a really hazard and the fact is is that if people kind of didn't really mention -- that is in the year you know -- yeah he's comin' back he might help. Along lives almost from the same category as the John Smoltz in the Brad -- the world for the Red Sox. But really he you're absolutely right he has come back and he is the proven to be the -- the rock thing he has been in the years past him and overall off if you throw an eighty -- there with CC sabathia and AJ Burnett when he's -- which he has been quite a bit this year. Ended Joba Chamberlain who aren't quite Iran before face the Red Sox and Yankee Stadium. That's a formidable rotation to be sure go go back to it would you have that rotation. And then you have the eighth inning guy and you have the closer which we all know about that's a pretty good way to go with the Yankees.

Ago right the Red Sox have the same lineup tonight that are all that hasn't happened very often lately in the lineup that does not include Jason Varitek does have Victor Martinez behind the plate. And it's a lineup that on paper looks to me to be their best offensive line up that they could but out there with a personally --

Boy it sure looked that way in Toronto and I think that most people would say that even before the game in Toronto it's news you know all things considered. If -- sitting if Ortiz is hitting it true sitting. Which they have in the past they have track track records here Victor Martinez is clearly better off -- player than Jason Varitek is it your best offensive line up -- And really it also takes some pressure off south -- that the formal lineup who. We know offense isn't his game so to speak but it allows him to focus on deepened through whatever offense he gives is that the bonus. But you go into the game -- this line up with a way these guys are hitting. That's a pretty good pretty good way to go for the -- meant to drew you mentioned today how about David Ortiz it was essentially a week ago in Texas when he started to turn things around in terms of how it looked Alex felt how is performing at the plate yeah I asked him just prior to game and I is that you know is this the best that you been swinging the -- the best that you feel. That no actually the best I felt was just prior to the steroid allegations coming out that leads that if you. I actually looked it up today if you look at his numbers do you take away that eight game stretch should be -- which we understand with a terrible terrible stretch for them. From June 1 until now he would actually to parable if not better numbers -- Mark Teixeira and the that's pretty amazing if so I think that. A lot of people -- looking of the Verlander gamers get blown away fastball sailed neighbor he's still a prompt. But all on the on the whole take away that eight game stretch and you have a pretty good David Ortiz if you look at the pitching matchup we talked a moment ago about any that it but the pitching matchups at least the first two games of the series with seemed to clearly favor. The Yankees on paper Brad Penny has not pitched well for quite some time now is a real -- Well yeah I -- is if you want to look at the optimistic point of view. You say Brad Penny pitches better Fenway Park in Brad Penny has pitched a very good game against the Yankees definitely part. So if he's going to write this ship so to speak it might be here might be now although this lineup is different from that game where he pitched. A quality six innings before so yeah -- it's it would seem to favor the Red Sox but you know things happen you have some potential. In -- Brad Penny you have some potential it is our. In the go up against guys who have been very good to be sure but like you said. The one thing is is that going into this series unlike any of these other serious threats that the Yankees have been playing. Both sides are are playing pretty well and that's what everyone wanted to see how they would match up when that was the case.

I rob thanks as always -- and enjoy the series they start and we like to remind you that you -- that conversation along with all of our pre game features a WEEI dot com just click on audio on demand. The clubhouse insider is sponsored by Alexis who invites you to look. The Lexus golden opportunity sales event featuring their best values of the year on -- of your dreams hurry the event in September 7. It's now time for the Red Sox trivia question sponsored by KGB. How many Red Sox players have been crowned home run derby champions. Of the answer later in the show but if you like the answering immediately. -- that question or any other two KGB KGB which is. 5425421. Your wireless phone and the KGB team won't have the answer for you -- seconds KGB. They answer to you. On the way we've got our trip around the major -- up next Jonathan Papelbon on the inside pitch. This is their Herb Chambers Mercedes-Benz pregame show on the WRKO Red Sox radio network.