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Red Sox slipped to return to their winning ways and snapped their two game losing streak to the Royals. In game three of their four game series tonight in Kansas City would Josh Beckett on the -- This is the Herb Chambers Audi pregame show now it's time for the clubhouse insider -- generation would WEEI dive comes Alex beer.

Thanks so much John Alex fear WEEI dot com along side and Alex. Let's start with would have been a surprising two games at least probably from the perspective of Red Sox Nation. Most expected Boston coming to Kansas City with the exception of -- game against Zack Greinke have their way with the -- that hasn't happened yet. Well the Royals have been a pretty good team of late surprisingly enough I mean given way if you look at their record over on the season you might not of expected them to be playing as well as they have. In these last couple days but. They they've really been hitting over the month of September and in the Red Sox pitching staff has been the victims of that. That they've did you know they've gotten a run for their money in these last couple of games of course. That plays a bit into questions about the Red Sox performances which have been uneven all you long and home versus on the road. But but certainly you know -- you can kind of throw out he's not he's sick he's he's performing in otherworldly passion right now. But it losing that first game I think especially when they had 56 run -- was one that they have to look back on and wonder how that happens we talked extensively about Zack Greinke last night. That one might have sold -- Cy -- foremost thing. It really helps for him to have that kind of visibility too and I think it yet the fact that it was against the Red Sox. That he delivered -- he's done he's had great outings against the Yankees as well but. He's on just too ridiculous run at this point I think if the areas. Zero point 26 in his last five starts so he's finishing the year basically just as hot as he started it. In so that that's really going to I'm going to kind of cement itself in voters' minds when would think. Paul Byrd struggled out of the -- obviously last night but he did manage to recovering give them innings. And listed the bullpen for the Red Sox right now is in a little bit of question just in terms of who they're going to use when their -- The game on the line type situations Manny Delcarmen came in for one out last night Michael Bolden is a couple days in -- hunter Jones is now here now. As back up some things to get sorted out down there not so much from. -- point of view but other guys in front of them. -- it was interesting I mean they you know it's September and so you don't expect this to happen but in some ways they were scrambling for arms in the last you know 24 hours when Paul Byrd. Looked like he might not make it -- one inning yesterday. They were they they were potentially a world of hurt because. Michael Bowden couldn't pitch long relief for them he had pitched the previous night and with -- and actually ended up pitching in back to back days yesterday for the first time in his career. Which in its own right was kind of interesting development because you know that suggested potent could have value. Out of the bullpen what wonders. Perhaps even a bit more than a guy like a bird. -- someone in the guy in the post season. Well he's done well against right handers he struggled against left handers -- in the small sample size but it is interesting to see. How he would fit in now Manny Delcarmen does between now and the end of the regular season because. They've got to figure out where he's at right now as well in their kind of being explicit about that they want to see Manny Delcarmen succeed because when he's going well he can give the Red Sox two innings at a time which is. Very significant for them from a roster standpoint it means they can have a bunch of short relievers have been a long one on the roster. But you know it's it's tough I mean he's been the overall effect -- so there was a sense that it was important to see him. Retire a batter with the bases loaded when he was brought into the game. In the seventh inning yesterday. What he's -- whoever going forward we'll see. We found out today that. I'm Tim Wakefield is slated to start on Tuesday at home against the Blue Jays with Josh Beckett going on regular rest on Monday which of course leads everyone to start counting days that could put that -- in line for Monday and then. Again a week from Saturday to pitch on regular rest which would line them up for regular rest in game -- of the division series. Assuming Boston plays the game one on Thursday and of course it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Josh Beckett VB game one starter in in -- division series scenario I mean. They've they've viewed him -- in described him as their ace. All along even at times when he's been struggling. You know Red Sox officials would still say he's our race he's the guy we lean on. Even in the year when John Lester has been singularly spectacular and arguably has the best stuff of any American League pitcher outside of Zack Greinke. It's remains the case that they still view. Josh Beckett is being you know as being the presence when they want to set the tempo for. The short season series no likelihood. And the interesting question is when he does start in the post season whenever it is with a lineup looked like it does tonight meaning Victor Martinez behind the plate. Catching Josh Beckett second time he's going to do with this season but the first time it wasn't a scratch awaits substitution situations. Yeah this is the case in which the Red Sox were actively trying to find a pairing of Josh Beckett and and Victor Martinez behind the plate. To see whether or not but two of them can gain a sense of comfort together. Terry Francona and describe it is not as a necessary means of covering all your bases just in case just in case something like this happens in the playoffs but. And he will -- it is a very very different lineup when they're able put Victor Martinez behind the plate and you know in half the -- the quote unquote full lineup that features a Duke listed first in the -- at third so. -- it will be interesting to see how they perform together at night Alex thank the volatile talk is so that's great job talent get it back the studio with John Ryder.

Thanks John if you missed any part of that conversation or you would like to hear it again you can do just that by going to WEEI dot com and clicking on. Audio on demand. WEEI dot com as BLI no nonsense coverage interview his pride do you buy SBA alive when you -- low cost life insurance would no hassle. And no nonsense you want SBA alive the no nonsense life insurance company. Now it's time for the Red Sox trivia question sponsored by KGB. Jim Rice was the AL MVP in -- season. I'll have the answer later in the show but if you like the answer immediately -- that question or any other two KGB. KGB. Which is 542542. On your wireless phone and the KGB team will have the answer for you in seconds. KGB. We answered you. Still the guy -- trip around the majors up next it's the inside pitch you're listed to their Herb Chambers -- pregame show on the WEI Red Sox radio network.