ESPN Baseball Tonight Commentators Preview World Series Game 4 – Prior to World Series Game 4, ESPN televised its pre-game edition of Baseball Tonight from just outside of Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Karl Ravech hosted the show with analysts John Kruk, Curt Schilling and Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin. Adnan Virk also joined the telecast from the field with analysts Orel Hershiser and Rick Sutcliffe. During the telecast, the Baseball Tonight team previewed Game 4. F
Curt Schilling on Shane Victorino and Clay Buchholz injuries:
“This is go time. There is nothing you can’t or shouldn’t do to get in the lineup. Back injuries are a totally different animal though. On the pitching side of things, I don’t know what to expect. I feel [the Red Sox] are treating this like a ‘down 3-0, everybody’s available’ type of game and they’re only down 2-1. There is a sense of panic that shouldn’t be here.”
Barry Larkin on Buchholz injury:
“This is a defining moment in this guy’s career and regardless of which way he goes, it’ll affect his earning potential as he goes on in his career.”
John Kruk on injuries and having a sense of urgency:
“There is a sense of urgency for one team to win the World Championship and one team thinks they’ll get back there every year. You don’t miss Game 4 of the World Series. You do what you need to do to get back on the field.”
Orel Hershiser on Buchholz and what having a “dead arm” means:
“When you have a dead arm and you have general soreness, when you go to attack a hitter you usually leave the ball up. That’s the thing I’d be worried about if I’m the Red Sox is leaving the ball up… And you’re breaking ball isn’t as sharp. [Having a ‘dead arm’] is like somebody pushed you in the pool with jeans and a wet shirt and then asked you to go do something athletic. Everything’s in slow motion.”
Rick Sutcliffe on what Lance Lynn does to succeed:
“He feels great. He’s coming off an outstanding season. He’s one of the unsung guys. What makes him so special is the late sinking action on his fastball. Even when it’s elevated it’s really hard to get it in the air.”
“He’s only 26 years of age but the real improvement for him this year is when he locates his fastball as he’s done more than ever this season.”
Kruk on Xander Bogaerts:
“Besides Ortiz and [Dustin] Pedroia, Bogaerts looks like the most comfortable player on the team. He looks like he wants to be on the field and part of that big situation.”
Larkin on obstruction call and base running:
“I thought it was a really smart play. What you’re told [as a base runner] is that if the defender is in your proximity; try to make contact with him. You’re taught try to make contact so you’re awarded the next base.”
Schilling while watching Buchholz warm up:
“If you watch the finish – that’s ginger at best. One of the things that can happen is that you can’t finish and you can’t extend and he’s doing neither.”
