Clubhouse Insider

" It's the Red Sox and blue jays for the first time this season this is -- Herb Chambers -- pregame show right now it's time for the clubhouse and -- and Alex here WEEI dot com and Alex. Let's start with the -- the Red Sox haven't seen them up close and personal. Until tonight what they've been missing is what has been the best team in the American League east so much shockingly I might -- it was very much a case where entering the season everyone said the American League east. Would be one of the most difficult divisions in the history of of the division race post wild card era in that was because of the Red Sox the Yankees in the raised. No -- an added Toronto to that list nevertheless there they are atop the American League east and it's been. Very surprising and fascinating development mean they've been getting contributions from. All manner of guys who were either unknown or completely unexpected to emerges. As. Incredibly productive contributors here in the early going. The record as but it is the run differential suggests that the record is legit. But the personnel specifically the starting rotation some unknowns that are really perform well for them or they would. That's a fair question and there have been some other people around baseball who have noted did you know they've had very little exposure to the American League east thus far they've just started to get into the divisional. Part of their schedules so I think we'll have a much better sense. Within maybe a month's time of how legitimate they are but. At the things that you can say is that. Aaron Hill is a legitimate player who is a big time contributor in the same is true that Adam -- Both those guys were expected to be you know to be stars have their positions when they were coming up in the minors in now we're seeing both of them -- David Ortiz returned to the lineup tonight pretty much as expected the jays are throwing two left handers here at the Red Sox to be in this series but Ortiz after the long weekend off -- the day off yesterday back in not a -- lot of living there too. Yeah and it's worth noting that he seems like he's in terrific spirits obviously the first day off he was walking around in in. In Seattle and looked pretty miserable that at that time and Terry Francona -- a multiple occasions it looked like he had been you know he hadn't been sleeping much that evening. But it seems like he's kind of turned the corner and he's in good spirits now the big question is whether or not that will translate into results the Red Sox are taking on the idea that. Their best lineup is when he does produced from the number three hole in the lineup and so they would like to see that happen. Rather than starting to move parts all around. While anticipating that that won't happen another important piece -- lineup expected to return tomorrow and Kevin Youkilis in fact this could be a week of returning guys Mark Kotsay is activation could be sometime within the next few days dependent on. How his work -- going Daisuke Matsuzaka is gonna take the start on Friday this could be a big week in terms of getting the walking wounded back my sense is that cuts is actually a little bit behind the rest of the guys it that he was still having some difficulties running round in the outfield earlier today. But certainly the fact that they are going to get. -- Matsuzaka back in the rotation and he did have a very strong final rehab start but the Justin Masterson now becomes you know kind of a super weapon in the bullpen he would do all kinds of things wipe out you know wipe out rallies with runners on base and get a double play ball coming in you know in in pressure situations -- set -- man for Jonathan Papelbon so that's certainly bodes well for them and of course Kevin Youkilis was. The best hitter in the American League at the time but he went down a Tim Wakefield starts tonight. We all will house streaky Wakefield can be. He was Boston's most startup and now he's been. The little up and out of the -- of his last three starts how long do you go before when you officially declare Wakefield to be in an office streak -- On the great question and one for one that even Terry Francona -- because he says that you know in the middle of the game you have no idea if he's about to turn around from inning to even even if you it looks like he's getting hammered around the park you know you there's still that possibility that suddenly you find it becomes unhittable so. That's that's a tough one and certainly a unique managerial dilemma. Red Sox have historically played well and -- part of this year particular. In recent seasons they played very well here. Contrast -- with their struggles on the road last year that really struggled away from home it really struggle to the west coast we've struggled this past west coast trip. What is it about Fenway Park is there anything that you could put your finger wrong when you analyze it. That elevate their play here -- fans -- here but there has -- more than that. Well I think that they they have made -- point starting with starting -- when Theo -- took -- the general manager and you know prior to the 2003 season they made a point of identifying players. Who had a batting approach that would be successful for Fenway so left handers were willing to go to the opposite field. Right handers like Dustin Pedroia who -- who could succeed on the basis of pulling the ball so they have a a roster it's constructed for that success. But all teams are better at home the mirror on the road it's nice to sleep in your own bed. And does it have been nice to play where you know the next -- or park. I'm Alex thanks as always -- so it's a great job we'd like three argue that you can schedule or pregame conversations anytime you like it WEEI dot com just click on audio on demand. Right now it's time for the Red Sox trivia questions sponsored by KGB -- the first shutout in American League history saw the Red Sox lose to hold. On the answer later in the show but if you'd like the answer immediately text 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 they answer to use. Still to come our trip around the major leagues up next Toronto general manager JP -- audience not pitch this is there Herb Chambers Porsche pre game show on the WRKO Red Sox radio network."