Clubhouse Insider

All right gentlemen it seems at times like the week has been interminable and it's been awhile since the Red Sox have played it's been even longer since they played. Quote unquote meaningful baseball would rob they finally get to do that tonight against a familiar opponent in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Yet the good thing there's been so it's nice weather out here doesn't seem like we've been waiting around forever waiting around the park watching these guys worked out you. Pitchers fielding practice everything right now they're ready to go it. And the thing is is that this is a slightly different Angels team than we've seen in the past -- more patient offensively. I don't think we have a good as bullpen include they're playing for something indicating hearts memories so I think it it all comes back to starting pitching however and the first game of the series because of the Red Sox are able to take this first game this series. The doubts are gonna creep back in the Angels minds it's only natural it's only human so that's why I think it's such a huge game.

Certainly no surprise that John Lackey is the game one starter Alex and it really should come as a huge surprise that Jon Lester as the game one starter for the Red Sox in fact Terry Francona said earlier tonight. That really it was an easy decision to start Lester in favor of Josh Beckett. He did say that -- I think that that was based in large part on the on the argument about rest rather than overall performance. Lester is a pitcher is able to bounce back a little bit better and it's on shorter rest so hypothetically he would be available. On three days' rest in the game or -- the Red Sox find themselves in such a -- in that down to ones say. -- you know it's just how they were lined up in the rotation for awhile that's I think what Francona was alluding to but. The fact of the matter is also the John Lester has been the Red Sox best pitcher since. Basically the end of may he has been force Billy Wagner who pitched with Randy Johnson and Johan Santana has said repeatedly. It Jon Lester is the most dominant left handed pitcher. He's ever seen in his career so that speaks highly pretty highly of the guy on the bump he's someone who's won World Series clinching game. Game 42007 Lackey has won a World Series clinching game. In 2002 so these are guys that pretty interesting -- degrees up from the point of having from a from a young age on. Into last year it was a great pitcher's matchup between the two of them in game one perhaps it will be again tonight. -- you mentioned a moment ago the Angel lineup what's different about this lineup going into the season -- Mark Teixeira that would seem to be a big hit but. Bobby Abreu is there in his patience seems to have spread.

Yeah I think you have it also you have to look at Kendry Morales the jump that you take human presence he's that. And -- the order in terms of the power threat they need debate really wanted to keep -- Mark Teixeira but you mentioned Bobby Abreu and he's had such a huge influence not only. In his own performance because he's a guy who takes a lot of pitches. Works the count gets on base steal some bases does a lot of different things but the influence he's had in the clubhouse and and having other guys now a lot of watch how he approaches things noted -- the general manager told me the other day. They've just been so impressive about half of its influence on the rest of the lineup and you're seeing Chone Figgins how patient you become an out really kind of morphed into a different kind of line up here one that Scott from the most impatient team in the league thirtieth overall the majors in terms of pitches seen. It to the fifth best in terms of seeing the vote these the most amount pitches.

And Alex the Red Sox lineup has changed considerably as well it's easy to point to the date -- time it was the acquisition of Victor Martinez. Overall what he brought to the team was essentially everything that they did need in the middle of the season. They thought that they may end up with some weakness. Potentially from the right side depending upon what happens with bout with Mike -- how they thought they may be a little bit shorted either catcher or third base depending on what happened with Varitek. Or with -- from a health standpoint. So they acquired a guy who has a switch hitter able to drop into the middle of the order. In the guy who is the quintessential run producer someone who is focused on you know on not on getting RBIs I'm always driving in the run. -- in was telling me yesterday that. That victor is a guy who tends to Alter his approach. When he does have runners on base to ensure that you know that he is maximizing the scoring opportunities he's not going to be focused on hitting a home run with runners on base is instead looking. Looking to. -- to drive in a run no matter how and is his pick up has been extraordinary and certainly. -- season changing thing for the Red Sox both because of what he's done on the field and he's been their record is phenomenal when you've been their catcher. But also what he's done in terms of just injecting more energy and life. Into a team that was kind of stagnant around the time of the trade deadline he's a high energy guy that's been felt in the Red Sox clubhouse.

Finally doesn't want to ask you about the decision to have Paul Byrd the roster in favor say someone like. Manny Delcarmen does that speak more to -- apartments in effectiveness of physical condition right now. Or as Paul Byrd gives them something IE the ability to go long if necessary that they feel that they need to protect themselves against.

I Vegas -- flipping the fact is there it certainly car accident didn't help me eighties cause. And be showing them what he could do in the last few days there but also you mention having kind of a safety valve and Paul Byrd. They have to cover themselves in some exit in case something goes awry and having long guy like Paul Byrd. It is a huge took part of that and it's a good story too. If for Paul verdict I would play -- for the kids in July and also finds himself on the Major League playoff roster.

Hi guys thanks as always we'll talk to tomorrow I thought. Remember you can find that conversation along with -- all of our pregame features a WEEI dot com just click on audio on demand. Right now it's time for the Red Sox trivia questions sponsored by KGB. How many times of the Red Sox won the World Series is a wild card team. While the answer later in the show but if you like -- three immediately text that question or any other. To KGB KGB which is 5425421. Your wireless phone and the KGB team above the answer for you in seconds. KGB they answer to you. Still to come we got our trip around the major leagues up next a look at Boston's wrote the playoffs audience not pitch this is the Herb Chambers BMW pregame show. On the WEI Red Sox radio network.