Clubhouse Insider

" It's the Red Sox and mariners from Fenway Park in this is there Herb Chambers Lexus pregame show. And this -- the clubhouse insider with W -- dot com's Alex -- well Alex the Red Sox are back home they begin their long homestand now heading to the All-Star break -- anytime you start getting -- the All-Star break you start to think of and we're the team is right now look at this -- are great spot yes there's pressure in this division they've got the best record the American League."

" I think that you hit the nail on the head I mean I I think that what they are accomplishing. In a division that is tremendously difficult. Can be you know can't be overlooked they're on pace for a hundred wins this year. In division that features a couple of other teams the Yankees and Tampa that probably would be on pace for a hundred wins if they were in another division. This is a brutal and let's not forget the blue jays this is a very difficult division. The Red Sox have had enough contributions at different times they've had the lineup carry them at different times even when David Ortiz wasn't performing it at the starting rotation carried him at different times they've had a bullpen carried him at different times it's a very well rounded team that's performing very well up to date. And it now gets to close out the first half. With ten straight game with with long homestand. And -- they are the best home team in in them in the American League right. Now you mention the lineup the lineup has been a little bewildering mishmash. Guys moving in different spots in the order for different reasons tonight Jason -- out the cleanup spot. David Ortiz back in. For several reasons but the biggest of which is the guy and the -- Felix Hernandez. Yeah I think that that's that's I mean if Jason -- were hitting right now as he had been for the first couple of months of the season. I don't think that he would be moved out of the cleanup spot and Terry Francona suggested as much he said. You know we do -- split up the right handers in the Red Sox lineup against a guy like Felix Hernandez who dominates them Ortiz has very good numbers against Hernandez throughout his career. But at the same time you know I think that they were pretty happy with the way in which things were settling with or on -- teases and from the five from the five hole so this reflects both the desire to it to have the best possible -- up against king Felix who has been dominant. And also. To kind of give pay a little bit of a chance to want to move down and put Ortiz in a position where they hope he has the most important -- that's of the game. Felix Hernandez will be an All-Star would be highway robbery I think if he was not there will Tim Wakefield be there that's the continuing question the added an extra roster spot. That seems to be good news for a guy like Wakefield. Who you're really filling in what they're describing is. Maybe a guy who could be there in case the game goes to extra innings yet there's no doubt that he would be a great kind of bus safety valve for the American League team it will be very interesting I mean there are a lot of very good starting pitchers in the American League this -- so it is pretty tough competition that Wakefield faces that said. He -- you know it's Joe Maddon the Tampa Bay Rays manager who's picking. He has a tremendous amount of respect for Wakefield he's also seen Wakefield and his best because Wakefield has been so good against the rays. Over the years especially since -- has been manager. And so you know I think that there are a lot of people around the Red Sox who would love to see it by no means is guaranteed of happening. But it does certainly Wakefield is that it has positioned himself. In a better fast minute any time since his first year in Boston in order to be able to get that nod both with a number of wins ten as well as the number of quality starts that he's being out night after night which is much appreciated in Boston. From Red Sox perspective from their fans' perspective a lot of sentimentality. Goes in this is if it's almost like. The C seven a very good year now which is borderline All-Star worthy but maybe they should be more of a career award for a guy. Does any of that plane you think in the league's mine command line. I think it might in Joe Maddon mind more so than the league the league's priorities and make sure that there's fair representation of all teams in the nature there isn't a catastrophe. Like a tie. But -- J. D. Drew pitching. But I think it does certainly. You know across baseball circles remember the the players do have some influence on this. I think that that's where sentiment in entering or should -- be up for it in way in -- the fan voting for via for the final loss. Our Alex thanks as always talked you so thank you John."

" If you missed any part of that conversation and log on to W eEye dot com or you can find all of our pre game features just by clicking on the audio on demand. It's now time for the Red Sox trivia question sponsored by KGB. What is the difference in capacity between day and night games at Fenway Park. Audience and later in the show but if you like the answer immediately -- next that question or any other. To KGB KGB which is 542542. On your wireless phone -- And the KGB team a lot of the answer for you in seconds KGB they answer to -- On the way we've got a trip around the major -- up next David Aardsma on the inside pitch this is the Herb Chambers Lexus pregame show. On the WRKO Red Sox radio network."