Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports - MLB

" Each and every Tuesday at this time. We connect well our fox baseball insider Ken Rosenthal joins us on the line hey Ken how -- right thanks to -- better than Milton Bradley is today. -- hey we talked about this briefly earlier Canada I think Major League Baseball makes a huge mistake they would investigate my winners and they should. But if they determine that winters did what was alleged. They believe they're finding more dock in post season births or whatever and we'll never know about it and I think that's wrong."

" I agree and need to be viewed the political term transparent. If players are held accountable and that -- coaches and managers are an umpire should be as well in. If he said you know elections at Pratt he called them. But double expletive name it and it definitely should be action take on the ever going to excuse Redick what you. Control myself better and I don't care what attack all of them you've got to -- ago. The alleged behavior of the umpire if it turned out to be true it's outrageous."

" What are are there any. In any indications that this guy it will be disciplined that this case will be reviewed by his."

" Michael they're going to investigated the question becomes. Way to go there and what happened in do we know about it it's better and these are very they're pointed Belgrade. Again there has been mine. I -- you increased number of these kind of -- at. But umpires kind of acting more -- how horrible that they were in. Priors and he also taken over with Major League Baseball kind of putting the rain on the and if -- get more aggressive with the eyes and I think -- should -- should look because it. Again this was not. In and that reflected well on either the umpire -- the player."

" Well back to the players and you know we always analyze ourselves differently than. Other people we see ourselves in a different light now Milton Bradley assessment during that ran to -- his explanation his expert -- explanation was that he's his assessment. He's doing everything he can he's been a great teammate. How has he been in San Diego this year what is the book on him now."

" The problem -- Bradley -- The officials of the sport is that kind of distraction. David Ortiz off you know we -- in well that and while it was popular with the Oakland. Indeed in LA it was true become when he explode and government right now bill Bradley -- popular with an eight. After basically take himself out of the equation here so he would feel very complex guy change. My understanding is an old beat you know he had trouble back. It is real emotional baggage there a psychiatrist accurately comment on but all that that. Attic or mr. standard eight years you failed Dudek and change because he's really good player."

" As -- as I do the math here and as I look at the schedules I was trying to figure this out I believe. That Cleveland will end the season having played one fewer game because of rain outs situation than Boston and Anaheim and the question is. If they are a half game ahead or half game behind for the overall first over overall standings are they going to make them play a makeup game on Monday."

" Let me check that because I'm not sure that's correct but they had one more game with Seattle they -- going to make not this week."

" Right now they've played one fewer game in the Red Sox."

" So they played Monday now. It to a double OK double -- and Thursday Friday after that was that if I didn't realize there was a double letter. Okay because it and it's fair question obviously. Okay can -- the."

" Seattle Cleveland series from. Remember people really wreaked havoc right in right at the final wrap it. Frankly I think Cleveland equipment early but Detroit way to way. Change it -- this double header of the affected by it."

" When you look at all the playoff teams cannon in the American league all of them are pretty familiar with one another they all electric got something on the other team -- mean the Yankees have -- over over the Indians angels have something over the Yankees the Red Sox have something over the angels the Red Sox Yankees ever met with each other. I want to focus of this Yankees Indians thing. They did beat the Yankees this year and and they are such a good team why do you think the Indians struggle against the Yankees."

" It agent this year so we've talked about fictional record that the yanks have in. I don't put much about it that -- the pitchers did pitch. So I don't really the harmonica promoted to pitch I think -- good start and ones mediocre. So Michael. Did you think that we can over analyze these kind of -- that's a classic case I mean at six record people appointment but you have to point out. -- for heaven's sake the best pitcher possible cy young award -- He I did not face. So -- the Indians are different teams and they were in the first actually those games to play a ball where command. -- second baseman in the opening off with red and Betancourt really urging it be set up man. There -- different team and they were perhaps face the let's -- topic Chamberlain is a huge difference so. Regular season records. Obviously it means something but I would too much would put more stock in the fact that the angels -- utley --"

" How many starting pitchers do you expect these teams will go with in round one."

" You get ago with that it Carmona and third starter most like Westbrook active and on rest. If you play 78 schedule obviously you would start. I don't think the Red Sox. Angels really matters all that much because I don't think beyond their top starter in each case. Yet there -- at -- actually the Yankees would be better off playing 880 that they don't want. -- but don't have a strong would you rate the angels -- strong to even though as quiet great year he struck so. The team that stands to benefit most here is Cleveland. And possibly the Yankees if they get sucked in the -- format as well."

" What do you like going into the playoffs mean what what team. That's that your team that's your pick."

" I liked them right now because those two starting pitchers I don't know. Outside the Yankees want him at it. It is in other teams -- matched as two starting pitchers and he's seen those guys both. Really outstanding all year in -- they've got to back. So that's why right now. I have great questions about the closer after the -- I'm sure -- but not as good spot. He works well we went --"

" The same time I just think they're pitching that they've got a lot about them. It played really well."

" When you take a look at at this final week and how managers are going to be be playing this whole thing. You've got that balancing act I mean Terry Francona wants to win the division they want to -- they'd like to finished with the best record in the league I think. At the same time. You know David Ortiz could probably use a blow or or or Mike Lowell could probably use a couple of days off you got to line up your pitching how to they how they balance all of these things."

" That's a great great point and it's been very difficult to balance that as we've seen with the Red Sox approach to this race so called rates with the have to keep the Gator bowl on the post season the World Series if you -- best overall record 88 Ortiz for two days. -- needed it is the biggest quandary here. Just what I that they have a very definite reason of best overall record the Yankees it. We've gained. To me it's a little bit different. I checked the angels lineup well if -- they played pretty representative on they obviously have in mind as well. And I -- his value is also values I two victory. So it is very delicate balance and I think frankly there -- well. From -- distance did not know whether the reaction was vehement it's made out by the -- that the Yankees want to win."

" I think I think most people in New England is that I had to guess and sometimes I don't have to us because they call it. I think most people want to win the division just because it is the Yankees now he's got Baltimore in second place you know that never happened over. I've got Baltimore's second place and their catch in the Red Sox I don't think it it doesn't have the same weight as the Yankees overtaking them."

" Okay here's my question return to that I understand that a -- action a total again. But let's -- you push push push try to beat the Yankees. You don't get -- not any extra rest of the -- extra rest you ride Ortiz and the first writers -- that it."

" He's not pointed towards it and that's what you have to. Think about well I."

" I think as outstanding -- earlier can I that you can. In in a best case scenario you really do think you can get the best to vote you can rest some guys. And you can continue to win these games -- to playing against Oakland in Minnesota's top ranked you're facing some stiff competition in these last six games."

" You can see by any stretch the imagination you think though. -- to have to make choice to use the whole -- trust. The Red Sox were in the World Series of measures they hate you lose the division I think people with that they should be able to deal. You know what part of the --"

" If it's June or July and Manny is coming off an oblique strain. It goes to the topic for a week and he gets his swing grooved and he gets himself been in you know game ready condition it was accurate starts raking. Not an option if there's a guy who needs at bats this week it's probably man."

" I would agree in this thing -- lingered far longer than I think anyone expected. Oblique injuries have a tendency you'd but you're in the mystery that always seems to surround man. Who knows where he's going to be. Given what you just said dale it will point out that what you always hear about. He get out of bed and I think to some extent that's true obviously what you come back oppose these they've. Eight you're dialing up a higher level so -- an ideal world yet he be in the after."

" What what will be more important in the playoffs in your opinion and I about the AL playoffs because that you gave me that the breakdown of the Milwaukee brewers' system I'm not going to -- national league again with the -- we gotta stay with AL well -- more important the managers or the home field."

" Why is that -- choice. Well like you'd you'd give me your answer -- now Barrett up there aren't yet. I would say it."

" But that that the reason is they're also hard to define and they they're both. They're not intangibles but it's really hard to to tell how important home field is in the post season and you really don't know me we well."

" It appealed the not that important in the -- Martinez in the World Series that's the best evidence that that's why it said. Padgett are on the older managers one's -- be. -- I think is great manager but really a great manager for 162 much more than he will be I would imagine post these. They play the way they play they -- they are the Red Sox saying I don't know that any one decision Francona wanted to make affecting much any."

" Yeah and the reason I asked about the managers specifically is Eric wedge events don't. Know a lot about his managerial style when it comes through. Being on the field in -- has good relationships with his players that most good managers do but I don't know. What his style is as much no Francona is and stories and of course social."

" I don't know that I know an -- which I don't think it's that distinct. Sources the Francona basically run his team. I think pretty recently. Torre's bullpen management of course question over the years out of it Eric wedge and distinct personality just yet I just think that the the year that I would have the is this has been proven in recent years that -- the leader elect expert. They have not been in this position game they are essentially -- fairly young. So you know out they'll respond out of -- respond once bright -- on a common so that's the question I have but. Again looked in recent history form all of those -- didn't affect a lot of both -- expert White Sox the year they want. Astros well bashers had but I think we've seen teams win without that prior experience. Detroit at Leicester is another example it -- we just. The year is how teams respond and in many cases in recent years they've responded pretty well."

" Roger Clemens is supposed to start tonight in Tampa Bay but. It's already -- knowledge by Joe -- depend hamstring may be an issue he's got -- and our Matt DeSalvo. In reserve just in case. How important is it for Torii and the Yankees to seek climate at some point this week before they have to slot amend that number three spot next week."

" Period if you can't take this week and you trust him it's in the post I was pitched want. He's 45 years old the in reasonable shape. And I think the -- is going he can't pitch has come back he'd -- to game three guys out of abuse. Accused of beating game four and they don't that we picked up what depth that it had those years there right out Kevin brown in game seven. In the Red Sox for a."

" Well and and that's I I think the point I was heading to hear is 60% of Roger Clemens better than a 100% of Mike Mussina."

" Good question not. Shortly answers because me seen has come back and read it starts I think we all agree. Pitched better his velocity. Better shot -- like on the ball it's -- a pretty good at the same time. The first game in Toronto -- but absolutely dead. That it was -- watching it general Altman while. The third game was the better test in Toronto at a period it was score a lot of runs that was the most recent start struggled early came back of so but the question is going to be how much of -- article yet. If Billy them combat -- or developing Rogers pitched 60% and it you do going to be able to pitch or you'll."

" Final question from me Beckett makes his final start of the regular season on Thursday he's got 20 wins already. Is he your cy young leader at the moment."

" Actually you know I haven't answered just -- as important as today after right -- would calm I mean obviously before the end. But that's what they want it over the right likely -- that goes."

" I know that you were given the rough draft right now I'm glad about us we can analogy you."

" No -- I rough draft is I think at the first about but I wanted to close look at. Radical referrals that and the reason I first Baptist is I think it's pretty morning. Your days about the -- strikeout to walk ratio is the best. I can make a number of very good art Josh Beckett I don't think wins -- losses. Recent years. People valued -- them. I think we've learned as writers think the fiscal people that which lost it went -- a lot of outside factors you know put much stock. But -- could not run support ERA. Certainly -- walks mind it's all of these things that's why I've got to look closer but. As it at my hunch right now I'd go with."

" You know what I'll make a prediction after you do that -- we did this at the end of the week at the end of last week after you do that you'll switch back to back. Because because I think you'll find that in most of the statistical categories that Beckett actually leads in most of them."

" What was that all about well. He might but I am looking at strike out right now it is liederman right obviously the that is. More innings but he has probably lower rate strikeout to walk I know it doesn't eat at -- his primary statistic like your right. Many of the others. Opposing batting average those kinds of things that it is the choice so again I've gotta look at look closer it's a tough call that ultimately deserving if you ask me. Eventually on the choice of it on line off."

" Well my question for you is how many emails and your inbox support one."

" Really be the nation is very vocal in the belief though and they're very. Comfortable telling guys like me what idiots we aren't and we understand baseball really only anybody -- hard to understand baseball wannabe and spot. And -- all great -- the novel that there are the biggest city in the world but that's the beauty of the game. And certainly. All opinions about it year it is a very were the -- to -- it take eat away. Extra like again look at it I may end up right back but I'm not sure right now like it at my initial hunch is that."

" Well what happened so privileged to be on the ground lord here that year as you wrestle with these ideas in front lobby government is right. We can say we knew how this whole things start. -- now hard and I try to make your work even worked at it you know right after. -- you can argue that in terms of stuff. That he's the best pitcher on that team. It got better stop and sabathia although sabathia -- been compared those two I don't know who's got the better -- you look at if you just -- and that's that the expanded stats. Maybe Carmona had a better season."

" Well it doesn't strike out I just think so that's going. Work against some people's minds but he has a lot of home runs either so. More like long abilities others but again toward the discussion which interesting -- I have to vote this year. American league MVP which is the biggest --"

" and nationally idea which is. Also now he's done this -- have."

" The on the serious ones all the ones I have to -- it's not a problem but when I write this -- operate you know like top ten MVP type -- I am. A lot of -- it is mental exercise in Canada."

" Can't we appreciate the time we will talk to you next Tuesday on the eve of the playoffs great take care. Ken Rosenthal from fox sports go to fox sports not common readers stop you can watch him of course. On the Saturday baseball package on fox as well"