Alex Speier, Red Sox Pregame

" Alex here -- yard game number 81 they are officially halfway through the regular season at the conclusion of today's game an accident for first place all this. Seemingly right with a world from the Red Sox perspective but. All seemingly the way we expected it from the beginning of the season meaning. They've got quicker rate than their hands with the Yankees now just having one game back yeah and of course don't forget Tampa -- either -- you know this is the division that we thought it was going to be namely a in an incredible dog fight remarkable talent for that runs you know. More than three teams deep when you think about the Toronto as of the world as well. But the the Yankees have been playing tremendously of -- their pitching has really gotten righted and you know the bullpen problems that they've really seem to have early in the season especially when they are getting swept in in the a couple of series at the at the outset by the Red Sox. Seems to have settled down you know they've gotten -- he's back there and so. All of a sudden. The complexion of their team looks pretty solid even with him in long going on the DL yesterday in to you know the Red Sox are a very formidable of his wealth though. This you know could be a very very -- pennant -- the two teams and -- slugging it out on the on pace for 95200 wins. The Red Sox bullpen problems that seems almost ridiculous question asks when will mean that the numbers and performance it's just that we had to bull and disappointments so to speak in one week where the team that averaged about one month yeah that's that's very I think that again there they made the on the victim of the standards that -- set for themselves. It became fair to think that every time they have a lead. Or work close in the game you know -- game after six innings that they were going to end up winning because they have been lights out. You know you had some -- you had. Obviously -- Real aberration was that that was that nine run lead that they -- in Baltimore on Wednesday. And then yesterday cite those mean difficulties that were greater than he's had any other point in his career I think it's safe to characterize those as aberrations. If you see a few more of those happening between now and the author -- then you start to wonder guys getting tired. Especially the likes of sight of that by and -- they've done a really good job of managing the work load these guys though I think he -- it up just. The fact it over a 160 games a lot of things happen by. The -- the Red Sox are very content with the -- there they're pitching staff to touch on Saito for just a second. Winnable finish a canal everybody has been so successful they've been able to use guys lots of different situations -- monitor. Their usage etc. and I feel like have got a pretty good idea what everybody's role isn't that opened with the possible exception of the country's night to really quite sure. Where he fits -- out there. Yeah it's his involvement is less situationally oriented than it is at times you know rest oriented the fact of the matter is that they. You know are trying to keep sights on a different schedule another -- isn't so in so it's hard to slot means you you know this is -- situation. When he may not be available on -- days in some of the other guys simple and simply because they're trying to keep -- healthy over the course of of full season. -- I think that's probably part of the reason why here's some trade rumors surrounding the surroundings Saito because. His role isn't as obvious I mean. The guy was brought -- to be the primary you know perhaps the primary setup man for Jonathan Papelbon. When of the five guys are organized baseball history with a sub two ERA. Instead he's in this kind of weird role in which every once he gets the tie game but he's not really you know he's not really setting up. Papelbon in this situation so I think you're I think you're onto something there John and you know it's. We'll see how does the second half and if you look at in this respect though they basically took chances on three pitchers in this offseason Saito. Brad Penny and John Smoltz. Brad Penny has been unqualified success in my opinion. John Smoltz certainly don't shown signs that he could be that type of success that the nation. And title I think it's still very much company ever when you consider the high risk with -- each of those pictures that they are where they are at this point this season that's that's that's quite a lot. Yeah I think that they're pretty happy with you know I think that more than anything affected all three of those guys seem to be pretty healthy at this time years. You know suggests that that they're already getting moreover a return on their investment. And some people anticipated for any of those three penny as you say has been tremendous and seems to be getting stronger with the year. Smoltz showed signs of improvement and from his second start with first and he anticipates that's going to continue to be the case. And that we'll see what he can do in the second half and then -- mean he's had some really nice stretches which he's gone you know Anderson scoreless appearances some time. Consecutively so the fact that he is on the mound regularly and that you do hear about demonstrators. Suggest that they got what the exactly what they were hoping to that he has been you know success in terms of a pilot strategy important start for -- today Jon Lester today rather maybe less so personally more so -- perspective. -- really -- to be kind of stopper in this year's yet they haven't had this many it's been awhile since they've lost a couple of games in a -- like this and they've both been difficult defeats to street when the run one run losses in so yes Lester. You know they've also they've also used their bullpen quite a bit -- and the recent days things to extra innings and you know and a whole debacle in nine in Baltimore so. Yeah I I think that they do need that the fact of the matter is that there must've been pitching great -- game for a let standards and ways though. They're hoping that they'll be able to benefit from that and that he can turn in another dominant outing aren't Alex thanks always -- to assume based on."