Early Projections on Red Sox Playoff Rotation

0:00All right. Welcome to Threads in the left brought to you by your New England Ford dealers and F series America's best selling truck for 49 years and the official truck of the boss and red socks were welcoming in medium mobile. The founder co-founder I should say of baseball is in boring which you can see on books podcasts apparel stickers everything and at Fenway Park recently I I congratulate you in person but we all know that it didn't happen unless you did it on a public forum whether on the internet or on TV so I wanted to congratulate you on a fantastic extremely popular night at Fenway Park. Thanks. Well, first of all, there's no human being I'd rather be talking to more than you right now and and also thank you to the Red Sox for putting on baseball's and boring night. Thank you, Cisco Brewers. I mean, it was it was just a great a great night and there is so much to pick through it all of it represented a sense of community that we have started four years ago with Joe Kelly and myself screaming from the mountaintops at yes baseball is indeed not boring and then obviously having said

1:20some signature moments including Joe throwing up first pitch that was anything but boring because it sailed over Garrick Rochets head and the reason it sailed over his head as we found out was because Joe ripped his pants so again right on brand perfect way to integrate into the great great night and Lenny you're part of the family so thank you for all you do in this great game of baseball. Well, I appreciate you very much and that's a good segue into our first topic today which is hitting your spots and maybe not hitting your spots so much so we saw the last two games of the Angels series the Angels the lowly angels took two out of three from the Red Sox. This is an offense that just hasn't been getting and done throughout this season but they were able to go out and make some heart contact off a Patrick Sandevelle. Jake Bennett last night. Yeah, to me I'm watching those games and it's just some matter of hitting your spots getting into those two O21 counts and leaving balls right down the middle.

2:25Sandevelle, tons of traffic 12 base runners and six innings. It wasn't the walks. He only walked two guys. Bennett won guy but going into this stretch you want to feel good about the biggest part of this season and the reason why they are here. The offense is great. It came around you know June 25th. Durban pinky day. We all seem what happened but the reason they were able to be there at that point and where they are is the pitching. So yeah, it's just kind of a little bit of a blep against a team that should have been swept frankly but what did you see out there Rob? Yeah, first of all, the Tom and Manzki instructional tape will have Joe throwing his first pitch and then redepter throwing all his pitches right how you don't do it how you do do it. But I think that the Red Sox unfortunately were a little bit on the side of Joe in terms of locating the pitches and that's the discouraging thing about this series. It was yeah in the grand scheme of things for standings and everything else. It didn't make that big of deal and you could swipe it under the rug a little bit.

3:33But you have to understand the angels were terrible offensively. We came away from that first game and we said, hey good for you Brian Bayo but it was that you went up against a terrible offense that was hardly scoring any runs and the next two days happen. And they're hitting the ball all over the place. So yeah, that was discouraging and I think the biggest part of it. If we look at the big picture is the Bennett outing because Bennett was still in the convert. Maybe he still is in the conversation about being part of the solution when it comes to the postseason. This is what this is about for these last 19 days. It is jockeying for position, figuring out what you have. And it sure looked off that Jake Bennett started Yankee Stadium that you had something that was going to be a weapon against the team that you were playing. And that might be the case, but certainly it took a step back in this outing because all the reasons you said, line. Yeah, it just proves to me that there's such a small margin of error when you're facing big league hitters.

4:34You know, it's a just a small scale. If you miss by this much, you're going to get beat up there and then it proves you know Bennett went out there the last three outings prior to last night was what 18 eightings 20 strikeouts to one walk. That's when he's at his best, but and I talked about this before he's been in the strike zone so often this year that he's going to give up home runs every now and then most of the time those are going to be solo shots because he just does not give away free passes. And that one outing two outings ago, I should say was two solo shots didn't really hurt him. The red socks were able to overcome that, but you look at three home runs for Bennett last night. You're talking multi multi run home runs, not those solo shots, five of the six runs came in one inning did not have a put away position. He just looked kind of predictable. He was getting heavy arm side and down. If you want to be effective with arm side down, you got to be able to show in and I kept saying it I was doing radio is like you got to throw something inside whether it's that forcing fastball, the sweep or something to back those guys up off the plate from getting their hands extended because they were so comfortable in the box and he just did not make that adjustment.

5:48By the way, is there we are so lucky to have you to analyze this stuff because you are so good at it. And I'm not just saying this because you're sitting here on this podcast with me, but it's also like that is the type of analysis where we have to know this is why okay Jake Bennett. Tough luck. You had a bad outing, but this is why you had the bad outing. This is where you can correct it. So again, kudos to you, Lenny and as you're talking, I'm thinking, okay, how is this going to manifest itself if you face if you put him against the Yankees because that's what this is all about, right? Like what happens if you put this guy in against the Yankees as a starter, as a lever, whatever it is, how is that going to play. And it makes me a little nervous in the sense of Lenny and I anxious to get your take on it is yeah he shut down the Yankees before. But because he throws it in the zone so much because major league hitters understand, hey, if we attack him this way, we are going to have success.

6:52The Yankees coming off of already facing him, that makes me a little bit nervous in terms of they might figure him out where there's no semblance of surprise from Jake Braddon. Yeah, yeah, I'm a firm believer that the offense always has the upper hand. The more times they see a picture, the better off it's going to be instead of every, you know, a picture is seeing an offense and feeling like they have the uprange, just not the case. Adjustments are made, especially from big league hitters. And like I said early on that arm side fastball inside the strike zone, they were aggressive early in counts, but later on as well, another adjustment he needs to make. If he is, in fact, going to pitch into playoff says that two strike approach, he did not have a put away pitch. When he's successful, he's going to use that forcing fastball up at the top of the zone. You can see the pitches right there. I mean, can you see anything inside to write right or nothing. So he's got to be successful when he gets to two strikes via the fastball above the zone that change up gets most of its chase most of that with down outside the strike zone.

7:58And I don't see anything down right there with any sort of it. Those are all hits because they're in the zone because they're aggressive early and because of two strikes. He just left them there. Missed spots. And letty, you said something about the hitters having the advantage, right, having sort of they can go in with the game plan of of how a pitcher is going to attack them. And I'm going to pivot a little bit to last year, the playoff, the came Schlitler game. So one thing that everyone should understand about that game is that, you know, so Tricycle machine has really meant a world of difference for all these hitters in terms of game planning. We understand what it is. How it really helps in familiarizing themselves with the pitchers, but you only have it at home. And the reason I bring that up is because if you go back to the last few days of the regular season, they didn't know they were going to face Schlitler. They hadn't faced Schlitler and they never got a chance to put him on the Jack machine because bizarrely, Major League baseball does not allow hitters or have teams have the Tricycle machine on the road. So they never got that with came Schlitler. Then you fat forward to June 25th, the pinky game. Okay, we're from we know we know what's coming.

9:12We know how to attack them. So I just think that what you said is so so important. And it is the different ways of doing that. You have to factor in everything. And I've never forgotten about that game because they never were able to see a semblance of came Schlitler leading into that game. Yeah, yeah, exactly right. That's huge. We never had that that old back in my day. We never had that right now guys are using that type of technology where there's track man. If you're pitching in between outing is there your bullpen every pitch you throw you turn around and say, okay, what was the tilts on that baseball, RPMs, deaths, what have you. And there's no no, you know, you know, Guerrero and Matt noon. Come on. That's you know, give you one of these. That was that was that was the feedback right there. And good pitch. So, but you know, after a series like that, you lose to against Anaheim this late in the season, you have to be able to turn the page. You have to realize that, you know, in that series, you

10:15didn't have a lot of guys, some reinforcements that you've had throughout this season. Guys like Wilson, Contreras and Rafael and with that said, you've got three days off until the playoffs, which is huge. Not only for those guys that just mentioned to help get themselves right and ready and healthy and ready to play ball, but you know, the guys on the field, the guys that we saw struggling throughout this series to get their minds and bodies right to reset, you know, you got Kansas City, who's a team that's scuffling. You got three against them. But after that, it's kind of a gauntlet. Thank goodness you have those days off there because Kansas City is one thing, but Texas is fighting. Tampa's outstanding Cleveland's fighting for it. And Chicago has been outstanding. So, you know, you got to be able to look at those days off, use them strategically, but realize that, you know, yeah, you're going to the playoffs, fingers crossed, hopefully, you don't want to back in or crawl in to a playoffs scenario. You got to continue to have your foot on the

11:16pedal against these quality clubs going into that scenario because it's not getting any easier after Kansas City. Not only, and I think it was important. I think that I get the sense from this team, they were desperately in need of an off day. They think about this. This has been obviously, it's always a long season, right? But this season seems excrucially long because everything has happened. It's great that they came out of it. It's kind of like you go back to when Chad Tracy said, oh, did you want the All-Star break? You were playing so well. Like, no, no, it was hard to get to that point. And that All-Star break hit just the right time and allowed them to reset a little bit and then go on another run. So I think the same thing here, I get that sense that the drive in the momentum and the juice that you get from, hey, the post season's coming up. That hasn't quite hit with these guys because it is semi early September. Now after this break, you get to these games. It's kind of you're going to get a little bit of the cougar in the car.

12:18You're going to get a little bit of the t-shirt gun. You're going to get a little bit of a, all right, here we go. The post season's around the corner and we feel great about it. And this is what we played for. So we are, we are just like jacked up for this. You don't get that sense right now. And the other part about this and maybe you can fill me in. But everyone's like, oh, well, Roman Ante, Trevor Story, they've had all this time off. But this time that they have been thrown in there, it's been a lot. Like, right? Like, you're basically playing catch up. You're intensity. You have jimokes like me asking them questions every day. How you feel, whatever, whatever it is, but it's been a lot. And I think for even those guys, these off days mean something. It's an off day from Brad Foat. That's what the guys are looking for. It was weird. Like, I saw it was like the Ted Lasso side, you know, it's like to believe it said, there's an off day from Brad Foat. Just what get through today, right? Exactly. And you said it. I smell a t-shirt drive momentum juice with the little period after each word, right?

13:24And speaking of those three words, will you abray you last night? Hit an absolute seed, 408 feet, 104 off the bat. It's nice to see him kind of getting hot at this time when, you know, the offense was struggling. You know, he's been great against left these. He's been better against left these and righties keeping that front side in, hands back and saying quick to the baseball. But you see where this ball is pitched and where it was hit when he's driving the ball to center field like that with authority. You know, good things are on the horizon. And this is a guy that now has a career high in home runs. He's a, you know, a gold, a multi gold glove. So this is a huge part right here getting this guy right. You know, hopefully they continue to do it. They, what they do with those big three starters and pitch, but having a guy like that, he's capable of changing the complexion of a game with one swing is huge for this Red Sox Club. Yeah. And, Lenny, I think that he represents why you should be optimistic, said by a more optimistic than he even last year.

14:29Because the two things that play in the post season are home runs and putting the ball in play. Last year in the brief post season run that they had, there was no semblance that they were ever going to hit the ball in the party. I think everyone, a lot of guys are banged up. They just didn't have Roman Anthony. Now you have guys like a braille you. Now you have guys like Anthony. Now you guys guys like story. Now obviously we'll see the prayers, Rafiella and even Adley Rushman potentially. But you have more capability of hitting the ball out of the park, which we saw last year throughout the Blue Jays run, that is such a key part of advancing in the playoffs. And this year compared to last, I think it's a lot different. You look at overall home runs. I think they're third in the American League since the, I love that you said the Pinkie game June 25th, the Pinkie game. Like, third in the American League in home runs where they were last before. Like, that's compared to last year in September. They were near last in home runs in September.

15:30There is a different vibe, a different potential with this team and a good version of a braille is a big, big part of that. That's, yeah, you're talking about the reinforcements. We've got a guy that went down to what sir came back and he had a conversation with Will, middle Brooks, our own Will, middle Brooks talked hitting. We're going to see who that gentleman is because it could be anybody, right? This is a little bit of tease and you're thinking who could it be? There's so many guys that I've got it done, but that's up next on three to the left, brought to you by your, your new England Ford dealers. We'll see you in a minute. Three ten to left is presented by your new England Ford dealers. You've been taking everyone out to the ballgame at Fenway Park for decade. Catch Ford next time you're at Fenway, including in the Ford Clubhouse, a full service bar perfect for bringing your line up together. And for recording our live edition of three ten to left, it's all brought to you by your new England Ford dealers and deaf suits. America's best selling trucks for 48 years and the official truck of the Boston Red Sucks.

16:39Welcome back to three ten to left. We were talking offense and a big part of that is the mighty Mick. You see his numbers since August 17th, the average, the power, the OPS. Are you kidding me? We need you to know what's going on in our own Will Middlebrook's talk to Mickey Gaspert during back practice to get to the bottom of it. All right, here with Mickey Gaspert, Mickey Bond, Mickey Mantle, whatever you want to call him. He hates it, but we're going to go with it. So first off, thanks for taking the time. I know it's a busy day. You're in the middle of the grind. You're going to play off push here. Start with the obvious, being the local guy. Right, you grow up in New Hampshire, you go to Bryant. You play in the college league in New Hampshire before you played in the Cape at Brewster. Right. And now you found yourself. Obviously you're dressed up by the Yankees. You don't have to talk about that, but you found your way home a couple of times now. Right. Just wearing the uniform, being from this area, playing in this stadium. What's up in life? It means the world. There's an expectation when you wear Boston colors. There's an expectation for excellence, for winning, and that's just something I've tried to hold myself throughout my life.

17:45I love to win. I love to compete and being able to come out here in front of these fans, in front of close friends from home. It's just a dream come true. I get it. That's awesome. All right, let's rewind a little bit and we'll get to the fun stuff. June 28th, you go back to triple, you go back to Worcester. You want to talk to the mindset there. Right. I've been on there. I've been on the shuttle. I've been back and forth. I've done all that. What's the mindset as far as going back and like, all right, this is what I got to do to get back to the big leagues. I know I've been long in the big leagues, kind of head down, go to work mentality. What was that like for you? It's all part of it. I really don't think too much into it. When I got down there, the first person I texted was Gettie. The team was on the road and I was meeting them the next day. I asked Gettie if he could come to Worcester and hit with me. Let's just get my mind right. Being around him, talking baseball with him, talking life with him.

18:47Just being around him, being around that dugout. You don't really have time to lick your wounds. You don't want to be that guy to bring that group down because it is a special group down in Worcester. There's a lot of great personalities, a lot of people that bring fun to the ballpark every day and to mope around would be a force because it's a lot of fun being around those guys. That's something too that a lot of people don't realize. Once you get a taste of the big leagues, you've been up a couple times, you have a little bit of success there. It can be mentally hard to go back. You go back to the bus rides, you go back to the stadiums that aren't nice. You're playing in front of 1500 people at times, a day game, wherever you are. It can be tough. Sometimes it can be easy to get a little salty and be like, I don't want to be here. Obviously that wasn't the case with you. That was an issue around yourself with good people. Obviously Gettie is amazing. I had him when I played. Kind of lean on your teammates who have gone through the same thing. Absolutely. teammates are everything. Even here, it's a great group of guys.

19:47It hurts when you're not around them. Seeing them win was a great feeling. It gives you that hunger that you want to be a part of it. I love these guys so much. Again, at the same time, I love those guys in Worcester. They bring in energy to me every day at the ballpark where it's... If I'm giving less than 100%, I wouldn't be able to look myself in a mirror. Let's walk over to the playtale of it. I want to talk about some adjustments you made. Whether it was down in Worcester or up here. Just looking at your setup from my perspective, it looks like you're a little more open. It looks like you're a little closer to the plate. Is that something that was on purpose? Obviously everything's on purpose at this level when you get here. Just kind of talk me through that mindset of, I'm changing this. Why do you think that was what's helped you a lot? For me, I feel like the openness has just come from wanting to see the ball better. It's helping you turn your head.

20:48Exactly. It's just that reinforcement when I get into be here and be comfortable with both eyes on the picture where sometimes when I get a little too closed off, it changes a little bit in terms of my left eye. I think I am right eye dominant from spring training. But just overemphasizing this eye, getting a full look at the picture. And then in terms of distance from the plate, I'm short levers guy. I'm not a big dude. Even when I'm standing here, I still feel like I have space to clear and still can cover over there. I would say my distance from the plate hasn't changed a whole lot in my career. I guess that was my thought too, is like you pull the ball really well. And where you are in relationship with the plate, does that allow you to do that with this pitch? To get your A swing off more instead of feeling like, okay, even in a two strike count where it's maybe a B swing,

21:50you're just trying to put the ball in place in a certain situation where you still feel like you can get that good swing off on that kind of a picture's pitch. Yeah, I feel like where I'm set up, it's all about timing in terms of where I'm hitting the ball. I think on a change up, something away from me, even a fast ball away, if I'm on time. And I'm hitting the ball out front. I think as long as I'm here, I can still pull it to the right center gap. I can still, if my path is where it needs to be to get the ball in the air that way, I think pulling the ball is really just a product of path. That's my belief and that's when I feel like I'm pulling the ball well, is that my path is locked in and then really, then pulling just becomes timing. Because everything good happens out here. Right, right? I mean, it's nasty. It's nowadays as hard it is. You start hitting it deep, you're falling off, you're falling behind as tough. So, absolutely. All right, so tap into what's been going on lately over the last 1920 games.

22:51It's really hard to stay hot in high school, much less at the highest level at the big leagues. So, looking at your numbers and your bats, what do you think is something that's helped you prolong kind of that consistent success? Like, obviously, the quality of your bats is, I think, what makes you who you are. Like, the quality of context, great. Like, that comes and goes with baseball. You know that, absolutely. Right, you know, it's a round ball, round bat. You can be a millimeter's off and fly out instead of hitting the hole. So, like, how much of that focus on just the quality of bat and getting yourself in good counts has been the part of this big thing here? Yeah, I think that's what makes me who I am is swinging at strikes, taking balls, trying to battle tough pitches that I think are those 50-50 balls. And, you know, just right now, I think it comes down to rhythm and timing. You know, I'm trying to be aggressive in the zone. I'm kind of taking my two strike approach from the get-go because sometimes I can get too passive early,

23:54looking for that perfect pitch, where it's two strikes. You know, I'm more aggressive to a, you know, say, you know, a breaking ball that I can handle that might be a little low. It's not the perfect pitch I'm looking for early, but I can still handle it and do damage. So, you know, really, it comes down to, you know, being aggressive, controlled aggression, obviously, and knowing that I'm trying to stay gap to gap. You know, if see the ball, hit the ball through the gaps. All right, well, we all know how humble the guy you are. Let me love that, and that that makes you who you are. But it's got to be weird seeing your name with, like, buried bonds, and Ted Williams, you have Wade Boggs giving you love, and wine. What's that been like? Because I know in you, you're like, shut it out. I don't want to see it. I don't want to see how well I'm doing. I want to be the same guy every day and just like, focus on today and the task at hand, but you're human. There's a human side of this. You've worked really hard to get here. To see that. What does that mean to you? It means the world, you know, it does. Like when I see, when I see a player of Wade Boggs' caliber,

25:01you know, I'm very grateful for that because, you know, that's a guy that laid the pathway for a lot of hitters. You know, he showed that you can make a living in the ball off the monster. He showed, you know, just being a complete hitter plays. Like one of many, I know that era was a little bit more of a contact oriented, a little more of a, you know, this strikeout is unacceptable. And, you know, I personally have carried that with me as a hitter. You know, that's something my dad instilled in me. You know, Wade Boggs is a guy that, you know, that my dad was like, you know, this is the gold standard. Right, this is the goldster. This is how you hit right here. You know, to hear that is, you know, that means more than any, you know, statistic, you know, month long thing where, you know, I'm with some pretty elite players. I get that. But just to hear, you know, a great recognizing that, you know, he appreciates my game. That means that means the world to me.

26:03So you and my Jones have built pretty cool little bond. Right? Just kind of the bass brothers from either side of the plate. It's kind of talked to me about that a little bit because you guys have, you know, teamed up to just be killers in the DH spot, right? Whether it whether a rider or lefty on the mound depends on which one of you guys in there, germizing there today against that. Let's talk about that bond a little bit because I know those type of things in clubhouse matter. Yeah. As Mickey Jones as we call it. And it's just, you know, I think that's just kind of the, kind of the epitome of what, you know, we're doing as a unit. It was just we're picking each other up. You know, he's he's a guy that matches lefties right now. I'm, you know, I'm asking righty. So it's, you know, we're playing complimentary baseball and, you know, it's it's helping, you know, be in the dugout each and every day and kind of knowing knowing the situation. You're going to be in knowing your role, knowing what you got to do. There's not a lot of question marks. You know, it's like, OK, the right is on the mound. Mickey's got to get him today. And then, you know, I'm going to lefties on the mound. James got to get him today. So it's, you know, it brings that level of rhythm and stability to you each and every day where it kind of it relieves it relieves the tense.

27:11The anxiety and you just know what your job is going to be that day. So last thing and it was something fun. Like mustache Mickey right? Go to go to Mickey's a little, little different kind of beast. What was the change there? We just like, I just need to do something different. Yeah, it was like my last day. I had been rocking a beard and was there for a few days and I had just gotten tired of looking at it because I can't grow beard. And so I figured, you know, let me, let me just shave a little bit off the sides and see how I like it and then. You got to stick with it now. Right. And then, and then the next day I got called up. I didn't have time to shave. So I was just like, all right, I'm going to run with it. And then next thing you know, I went on a little run and I love it. The go tease going to stick around. Good stuff. Thanks, make it. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Tell you what, that's a little run. I'll take a few more guys having a little run like that. That's a great conversation between two guys and Mickey Gaspard not only going off offensively, but it's nice to see a guy that's been a grinder for most of his career going out there and having success.

28:14And, you know, Rob, we were talking earlier at this point in the season where the red socks are. I feel like everything is intentional, right? Guys were playing certain positions on purpose when you're this close to the playoffs and Mickey had a chance to put on the the tools of ignorance last night. He was behind the plate. How much of that do you think is kind of looking at the tea leaves as far as what's going on in a few weeks? I think it's absolutely looking at the tea leaves like I don't think any of this what they're doing now is accidental whether it's re organizing the rotation, whether it's playing Roman Anthony and left to whatever it is. This is there are certain things which you have to a protect yourself against or be playing for because this is the best way to do it. And with Mickey Gaspard, the best way to do it, this version of this player, you have to get him in there. He has to be hitting against came Schlitler and game one. If he is this guy, I don't think there's any question about it. So how does that happen because obviously you have guys coming back.

29:17You have to reorganize things and so there's two different ways to look at it. Well, he could be in the D H roll. Did the H rolls, if he's doing that, then Roman Anthony's probably playing left field or if Adley Rushman isn't right, then he's your catcher or maybe he's the backup catcher. You know, it's all of this is to say that Mickey Gaspard is a huge part of the solution when it comes to putting on good at bats. And by the way, letty, we talk about homeruns, making contact, putting the ball in play. That's how you win in the postseason. Yeah, you're absolutely correct. I feel like there's no universe where Mickey Gaspard is not on the playoff roster. It comes down to dance with the one you came with. He's a big part of why the Red Sox are in the position they are right now. And he's getting the chance to go out there and catch yesterday, just shows his versatility and you talked about the power numbers, but it's also the walks.

30:17The discipline at the plate, if they're not going to come to him, he's going to take his his on base and go out there and do a job that way as well. And that's huge for this Red Sox club. And you know, another reason why he was behind the play yesterday's Adley Rushman ended up getting a quarter zone shot in that left elbow. And that's how it goes. And I think that's the most important thing to be able to do is basically when you get those shots, there's a two or three day period where the injection site is sore. And then after that, the pain tends to dissipate from the original injury. So, yeah, that's that's that's Mickey going out there and basically saying, you know what, I'll do whatever for the team and hopefully Adley can get right, but we're going to talk a little bit more about that here in a few minutes. So we're going to go down that laundry list and Roger to give me some insights here. So that's coming up on three to the left brought to you by your New England four dealers will see you in a few. Welcome back to three to the left and it's now time for the game plan for success presented by mass mutual. I want to start off with the start with Garrett crochet because it's kind of interesting. He's a guy. He's been a starter. He relieved early in early on in this career, but he could be a force out of the bullpen.

31:26He's throwing Friday all signs point to him being very optimistic about coming back. Hopefully for a playoff scenario. Yeah, I get the sense being around the park, been around Garrett a little bit in the last few days, like this is we talk about the reality of postseason kicking in. Well, the reality of postseason is kicked in for Garrett. I think that he's been throwing within 10. I think he's been approaching his rehab within 10, not that he hadn't been before, but he sees that what is around the corner and how he can impact things. And really maybe how people aren't really acknowledging how much he can impact things. I think the reality of of being a starting picture, he understands that.

32:27But boy, if you get a good crochet, a healthy crochet in the postseason for a couple of things in a whack, that is just such a powerful, powerful thing, especially like we talk about pockets, you know, the Yankees have here comes the judge pocket. Well, here comes the crochet pocket and the guy that we've been seeing throw in the bullpen sure looks like a guy who's driven to have those sort of moments. Yeah, I 100% agree with another guy that we haven't seen in quite some time. He went under the night had Tommy John his 10 or how he seems to be getting close as well. He's kind of a different guy than Gerrard crochet more of an east west movement guy, but again, could be a weapon out of the pen. Depending on that pocket you were talking about. Yeah, he could and like you said, because of the righty because you have the the righty hitters that they have the Yankees, I mean, that's a weapon. We know what tin or how it's done. It's interesting that tin or how in his time away, actually, he's like, yeah, I've been tweaking the sweeper. I'm like, didn't you invent a sweeper? Like you were like the OG of this. And they's like, no, you know, just tweaking a little bit.

33:36All right, okay, fine, but we know that that is such a powerful pitch for him when right. The only thing that concerns me, Lenny is that Tanner, how in spring training, I've seen a way too many spring training games. And I know it takes him, usually a while to lock in his command and his control. And we saw that a little bit hit first time out, not to say that he can't do it. But for me, it's less about stuff and more about having that feel where you can have command and control when you get out to a major league mound. And for me, that's the biggest thing when you're coming off surgery. It's that last little thought in your mind when you're releasing that baseball, that confidence that you can let it go. We talk about extension all the time. If there's any doubt in your mind that's going to affect that last inch, which is the most important of the pitch. But you know, we always hear about big leaders coming back into the big league roster, not wanting to go out on rehab stands, but Wilson can try us once a rehab. He wants to get on his feet. He wants to face pitching before actually seeing MLB quality arm. So he's going to be out there on Friday in Portland, talk to me out Wilson, how far is he because I saw him getting BP and he looks close.

34:50Well, not only hitting BP, Lonnie, but running the basis. I mean, he ran, he was doing first to thirds and it was there is zero hesitation. And as someone who has hurt their handstring 11 times, whatever it is, I don't know. I'm like, that's the last time I will ever compare myself with me. I'm a Julie baseball player or Wilson and terrorists. But hamstrings can be a tricky thing, right? Like if there's any semblance of pain at all, you do not error it out like Wilson can try to assess. And I think that he is built different. He is a veteran voice that they need. And he's also the understanding of what they have heading in the last few weeks here because he knows the most important thing is getting his timing right, being the best version of himself, not not just coming in and striking out a bunch and feeling bad about yourself. No, it's using the minor leagues, whatever minor league season you have to get right and then go, here we go. The last couple of weeks, here's Wilson, terrorists and heading into the postseason. And for all the reasons we said before about hitting the ball out of the park.

35:56And I think that he's been this year, Wilson, you terrorists is one of the most important players on this team. Yeah, yeah, and there's been a few of them, but you're absolutely right when it comes to on field production, the mentality, the energy he's been the lightning rod for sure on this club. And you know, there's a bunch of guys, but Eli White is a guy that has made the most of his opportunity in a starting role. He's been a bench guy for quite some time or since his acquisition at the All Star or trade deadline, I should say, but the other day ran into the wall. Got his right spike caught in the great out in that garage out there. He's getting some imaging. Do you have any information on what's going on with him because he ran off the field. He took it out bad. But apparently the next day wasn't feeling great. Yeah, you know, anytime this imaging you I like the fact that they're having imaging. I it drives me nuts, Lenny, when they're like, no, no, we're not doing imaging. Okay, you you can pay the medical bills. It's okay. Like it's just be air on the side of caution. So I like the fact that they're doing it right away. They're figuring out what this is.

37:00And I do know this is that Eli White can be an enormous enormous part of this whole thing because he I think he's their best pinch runner and Lenny. We the days of sort of the Quentin Berry is the Dave Roberts, the whoever you'll like, hey, we're going to drop in the pinch runner for the postseason roster. It kind of seems like that's gone out the window. You got to do a little bit more, but Eli White can do more. That's the point is that he can hit and he can field. And he become an important guy for this reason because Jamai Jones, who's been such a revelation. Well, if he comes in and pinch hits Eli White's going to be the guy in the field. Like that is what's going to happen. So that's why I think he has been a perfect fit for this whole equation. And you really hope that he's okay coming off of that imaging. Yeah, for sure. And you know, we just talked about a bunch of guys coming back, the reinforcements and earlier we were talking about how daunting it is seeing this red socks club got their lose to against the angels. But if you look at what they've got coming back and the possibilities as far as offense and a playoff scenario when this team is healthy.

38:07The protection in this lineups, the biggest thing for me because they didn't have that protection in this angel series that you know the lineup just wasn't long enough guys weren't, you know, passing the baton. So, you know, it's going to be a different mindset out there when you've got certain guys like Wilson and say Don and firing and all cylinders out there. Yeah, I think with any good postseason run. Well, you look at the world series teams. You have that group, which the other team has to get through. And I think that's like a few years ago, it was a tiny Freeman bets, so do judge stand like so identifying that group. And another part of this, which I would like to see even the guys who are playing the stories and the Anthony's, to start to swing and miss a little bit less. Because as I said before, it's great they can hit the ball of the park, but you got to keep the line moving in the postseason and putting the ball and play. And then I think that's the kind of guy like kind of Falefa, a guy like Gasper, those guys become so important, but that's the that's a nitpicky thing, but still something I would like for the last like a couple of weeks here.

39:10Rob, I'm going to give you three other names right here. Are you ready? Yeah. Grey, grey Suarez and toley. Grey's going to be your number one starter in the playoffs scenario, but there's a little bit of a debate. Are you going to give Suarez the ball game to toley? Yeah, there's a difference in stuff, different, difference in hand in this style. And you're talking a resume difference as well, guys that have pitched into playoffs, guys that haven't who you given the ball to game two. And also is taking the chance that you don't see the third guy, right? Yeah. But I think that it's Suarez keeps pitching like he did last time, then you I have no problem with him pitching the second game because really it's hyperbole, but half of his salary is because he can pitch in the postseason. This is what his thing is. This is why you have him. And so if that's the case, then here's your big chance. Sunny Gray, no doubt about it. Ace, Ranger Suarez, resume, better for the doubt.

40:10And then hey, listen, if you do need a third game, you do not want to limping into it. No disrespect the carly early last year, but after G. Lito got hurt, it was it wasn't ideal situation to throw out a rookie like early like this. Well, it wouldn't be an ideal situation if you had to have that game three to have been told. Yeah, speaking of rookies to my Webster had a nice conversation with Nick Sogard. We're going to hear that next on three to the left, brought to you by New England four dealers. I'm looking forward to that. We'll see you in a few. Three 10 to left is presented by your New England four dealers. You've been taking everyone out to the ballgame at Fenway Park for decade. Catch forward next time you're at Fenway, including in the four clubhouse, a full service bar perfect for bringing your line of together and for recording our live edition of three 10 to left. It's all brought to you by your New England four dealers and deaf students, America's best selling trucks for 48 years and the official truck of the Boston Red Sucks.

41:14There's nobody I'd rather be talking to right now than Red Sucks utility man Nick Sogard. So appreciate you taking the time, man. How much you enjoying this this final stretch here in the last month of the year? Yeah, it's been great. Teams and playing great baseball. Playing especially in this place right now is unbelievable. Are you aware of how much people love your game? I was texting with Jesse Turner who's watching the game randomly the other day about fantasy football actually, but then unsolicited he mentioned you. He was just like, I love Sogies, making plays out there. He's a ball player. He said that you're grinded or plays it the right way. How much of a compliment is that to you that your peers appreciate how you go about it? It means a lot. I think kind of how I just said like I had to really fight and scrap to survive, you know, at basically every level starting in high school or even before. So I think with that you kind of learn, you know, little ins and outs of the game where I can get a competitive advantage or just the fundamental things like I have to be very sound in order to be a productive player, you know.

42:23So to hear a player like him or you know, even just whoever say that it definitely is a cool thing to hear and you know that part of the game is something that I took a lot of pride in. Are you finally feeling like a first baseman? I'm going to play all over the field, but getting a lot of reps there recently. Yeah, I don't know if I ever feel like a first baseman. It's funny like some of my buddies in college, in college I hit like two home runs, you know, in all three years. It's funny my college, my college buddies do like yeah, you're hitting fifth and playing first for the red socks. Like what's that about? I said, I don't know dude. I don't know, but we're trying to make it work. Oh, that's amazing. All right. So we'll get rid of the baseball stuff, but we keep it in the conversation. We'd like to sit down with you guys and have anything but baseball conversation kind of fast, prior rapid, rapid questions. So we're going to we're going to hit you with a few of those. And the first one is who's the most famous person you've ever met? Wow. Last year, the first one that's coming to mind last year in the playoffs in New York, I met Shaq in the lobby of the hotel.

43:26So that's got to be that's got to be out there, right? Shaq, Shaq for me is probably the most famous. Yeah, he's a a-lister. We certainly like Shaq. You a morning person or a night out? That's a night. And the off season this past year, I was getting more into the morning thing. So I'm trending that direction, but still night for now. What's the first thought on your mind when you open your eyes in the morning and wake up? Where am I going to get my coffee today? What's your order? It depends. We do it all a latte, maricano, flat white sometimes. Ooh, that's just cold brew. Yeah, bounce around. What's the last show that you binged? Um, traders was my girlfriend. Yeah, I heard of I think Payton told me about that show. Yeah, it's a good show. It's a second time I've heard it. I might have to check it out. Yeah, what's the app you use most? Hmm. Does message discount? Yeah, all right. Text. Yeah. I want to. What is your current obsession?

44:27It's kind of anything but baseball. Um, but it can be baseball too. Why not? I mean, I think that's that's got to be it, man. Okay. What I spend my time doing. That's what at home I'm preparing to come here and then here I'm being present. I don't know. That's kind of what that's worth. Sweet or salty? Say sweet. Beach or mountains. Beach for sure. Dogs. I like the mountains too though. Okay. You can get it all in here. Yeah, right? Dogs are cats. Dogs. I'm allergic to cats. Oh, I love dogs. My wife is two, that's 20. Yeah. First person I've met allergic to cats. Yeah. I allergic. So we can't have a cat. We got a dog. Uh, dine in or take out. Take out. Summer or winter? Yeah. Say summer. Sneakers or dress shoes? Sneakers for sure. Yeah. What's one thing on your bucket list you haven't done yet? The first thing that comes to mind is skydiving. I don't know what I'm going to put that in, but you got to do this. Yeah, you have me too, man. That's all mine as well. Yeah.

45:27Maybe way too early time. Yeah. All right, we're going to hit you with some more introspective questions. Get you to think a little bit so we can dive deeper into your mental. What, what 15 year old Nick Sogart imagined you'd be doing right now? That's a good one. I don't know. 15. What is that fresh summer your high school? Yeah. Not this. Still dreaming, huh? Yeah. Not this. That was a weird time for me trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I was baseball was not something that I figured I would be doing. I mean, I wanted to do it obviously, but I just didn't know if I was going to be able to. It's a tough one. I really couldn't give you an answer. I remember in that time of my life really thinking, like, what am I going to do with my life? So that's kind of where I was at with that. Yeah. What were some of your interest? What ideas maybe came up as a, as, hey, if this doesn't work out, I can see myself doing this as a career. I liked physical activity, so maybe like a fireman or maybe construction or something where I could be doing stuff versus sitting behind a desk.

46:33Yeah, that was never really my day. Blue collar, so guard. You love it. You love it. Working construction. You love getting into the mind of these guys and knowing the personality. You know, you see them every day on the field and you appreciate what they do, especially in a guy like so guard, plays all over the field, then just play excels. But, but seeing his interests and recognizing that, oh, I had 15. I had no idea what I was going to do either. So I got to be honest, you bloody. I got to be honest with you. I love getting inside the mind of your my Webster, like how he didn't, how he hasn't heard of anybody allergic to cats. Like, well, he could probably run and hit somebody allergic to cats. You would be, he's allergic to cats. That's what I love. I love inside the mind of your my Webster. So yes. And by the way, in case you didn't, you missed it at the beginning of the interview, he does owe me $5 because he used my trademark opening. There's nobody I'd rather be talking to more than in this case, Lenny, DeNardo.

47:33So I was wondering if that was protected in any way, shape, or form. So five bucks from Gemini coming your way. But, you know, it's, yeah, nice. That little tidbit on so guard right there from Gemini great segments. But, you know, sunny gray, starting on Friday, looking for number 18. What would have you seen from sunny gray is the best year of his career and all star snub. Just, just getting it done unwavering. And this guy for me, when I watch him, the ultimate veteran is able to pivot at any point in the game. He's got six bitches. Doesn't necessarily use them all at different times. Like he revisits them. If they're not working early on, or go back late in games, he's so, so much fun to watch. What do you see him from this guy? I mean, it's been a while getting to know him a little bit, being around him a little bit. You hear about it. But then there's just the fact what how he views the game of baseball. And what's interesting in spring training was that he was actually saying, I don't know. Maybe I won't play pass this year.

48:33And how can you not play pass this year? You're at the height of your powers. This is you're doing everything right. And I think that the Red Sox have allowed him also to have this evolution. And he's embraced it. So all of it's been great. And I think that time off meant a world difference for him. And you talk about the All Star game and probably in hindsight, maybe that was a good thing too. Because it's not about pitching, but when you go to the All Star game, it's exhausting. So maybe that was a good thing for Sonny as well. All I know is this is that they've landed with the legit ace when their other legit ace has gone down and spent such a huge thing. Yeah, just resiliency and the next man up philosophy. They've really gotten it done and looking forward to seeing him. I hope he goes out there and gets 20. I know it's it's a tall order. But he's always been fun to watch. But Rob, thanks for joining us today, man. That's it. Thanks for watching 310 to left, brought to you by your New England 4 dealers at AppSeries. America's best selling truck for 49 years and the official truck of the Boston Red Sox. We'll see you again soon.

49:34Rob, thanks again, man. Yay, baseball.