Clubhouse Insider

Red Sox return to Fenway to open up a two game series against the Orioles tonight with Clay Buchholz on the mound. This is the Herb Chambers Chrysler Jeep dodge pregame show. And it's now time for the clubhouse insider -- generation would WEEI died com's rob Bradford and Alex beer.

WEEI guy comes rob Bradford and Alex bureau along side. Rob let's start with the Orioles while the White Sox were team than most Figurs is out of it and the Orioles are team that are just plain bad right now. Certainly a team that the Red Sox Agassi here and again later on in this month of September they need to pound.

Yeah I you know I think that a lot of people hang their hats on the fact the Red Sox -- your score much in September by as Michael this pointed out on the club house he said listen you remember back. A few years ago when we played Kansas switched to the city and everyone said oh Kansas City no problem and they came in and swept the Red Sox though. You have to be cautious and -- into tonight's game and -- Orioles have passed and said the success against Clay Buchholz in the last three times he faced them so. It's ways things they can't take anything for granted because if they do next thing you know -- Soviet of them.

As far as -- goes Alex two times ago two starts ago is probably his best start of the season last time not. He didn't have his best stuff but he still pitched well well enough to give his team an opportunity to win and at this point this season I mean that's probably all you're really asking for.

Quite frankly in many respects it's more impressive when you see young pitcher who is able to succeed and earn a victory meant -- when he doesn't have his best stuff. I think there was Curt Schilling was hurt I'm saying anyone can win on -- when they have their best stuff and you don't have your full compliment of pitches. And you can still find ways to locate well enough work with what you have identify what's worked in make the adjustments in game that's the sign of maturing pitcher which -- has certainly been mean. Fact of the matter is most of the games he's pitched for them since this all up. He's kept the Red Sox in the game eight out of ten eight out of ten starts. In which he's allowed three or fewer runs in that's that's a pretty good sign for for the Red -- particularly given. The state of the back after the rotation that buckled really has been a stabilizing presence for them. Over them rather unexpectedly I mean let's not forget that the guy I was called up from one game and one game only to start the second half but he's really been very significant part. Of what's allowed them to watch remain atop this wildcard race through the second half. Lineup today as Casey Kotchman and playing first Kevin Youkilis over at third and Michael on the bench where like all that right now.

Well I think he feels good about himself feels good about the ways between the diocese doesn't feel at all and he -- about the hip that is. And defensively. Feels he's much better than he was before getting the -- this shot. Mom and he's hitting the ball he's hitting the ball Fenway Park in particular. So with the that this is the dilemma that we knew that Terry Francona was going to run into it every once receipt swing the bat. And that's what he has tonight not dilemma but may be an opportunity for a guy like Casey Kotchman to step and get some playing time. I will say this is that Michael Wolfe is optimistic that when he gets through the offseason. And is not really have to do too much on the fly in terms rehabbing able to strengthen that area around the -- a lot more he feels by the time we get to spring training next year he's going to be a lot better than he is right now certainly a lot better than he has been in a long long time last year.

Two guys that are coming -- very difficult trips David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia in other swinging the bat particularly well right now. I think most Red Sox fans when Dustin Pedroia goes in the slump there's -- they're confident that he'll break out of it and every time David Ortiz goes into a slump there's this overall concern that. He maybe this is the one he does not come out of where you see those two guys right now.

I think you're right Pedroia has shown an ability does snap out of five to step out of slumps and a passion that's you know that'll give people whiplash you know with just he he goes from hitting. You know 250 which is typically is on I mean it was a little horse on this mistress and road trip but then all of a sudden all of 400 per month and all be forgotten. With Ortiz. That the concerns are a little bit more for achieving Terry Francona talked about it in Chicago saying. This has been a different kind of season in which he's been losing his lower -- just hasn't been able to execute with the same kind of consistent mechanics over the course of the year we're used to seeing David Ortiz is slumping months being like an 800 or 900 no PS not seeing it around five or 600 or in this month in the in the two or 300. And once again it seems as if opposing pitchers especially left handers have been able to exploit that hole that's right by his right by his hands with fastballs may have been pounding it. And whether or not Ortiz is able to -- is going to go along way in determining how much of a force he is down the stretch and into the post season.

Alex touched in the back into the rotation just a moment ago. Tim Wakefield now looks like on an every ten days schedule and that might be optimistic and Daisuke Matsuzaka is going to make at least one more rehab start. Two guys who they're probably going to need at least something from before the season said and done.

Yeah I think that with the Wakefield certainly they would like the at least one more start out of them and the way he's it's. Even though we lost last time he pitched well enough to supply some optimism. Yeah I think they've -- that would present some value to them -- Daisuke. Every once said this guy has upside is what he's been gearing up for all along. And he's shown enough in the mile -- to suggest that may -- can help them not only the tail end here of September. But perhaps even -- on board so he might be the X-Factor and a lot of people's eyes but they are regardless of who it is they're going to need some help. Because Beckett Lester and Buchholz can't do it by themselves every game counts and with you you really need those. Fourth and fifth guys are guys thanks as always we'll talk to assume John back DO.

If you missed any part of that conversation or you would like to hear it again you can do reduce that by going to WEI dot com and clicking on. Audio on demand it. The WEEI dot com as BLI no nonsense coverage interviewers -- to you by as BLI. When you won low cost life insurance would no hassle no nonsense. You want SBA ally the no nonsense life insurance company it's now time for the Red Sox trivia questions sponsored by KGB. What was -- arises occupation before pitching for the Red Sox. Will have that answer later in the show but if you would like the answer immediately text that question or any other two KGB KGB. Which is 542542. On your wireless -- And the KGB team will have the answer for you in seconds. KGB. They answered you still to come our trip around the majors up next it's the inside pitch would Baltimore second baseman. Brian Roberts this is the Herb Chambers Chrysler Jeep dodge pregame show on the WTI Red Sox radio network.