Kevin Millar

MLB Network analyst Kevin Millar made his weekly appearance on the Mut & Merloni show Friday to talk about the struggling Red Sox.

During his appearance last Friday, Millar predicted that the Sox had a postseason berth locked up. That was before the Rays made a big push, including four wins over the Sox in the past seven days. However, Millar said of the Rays’ chances: “In my opinion, it’s still a tough uphill battle. You’re looking at the Red Sox to keep losing.”

Added Millar of the Sox: “You’re three games up. You’re not chasing three games. And you’re in your house. I know you’re depleted. I know you’re beat up. … Win a game.”

Following are more highlights from the conversation. To hear the interview, go to the Mut & Merloni audio on demand page.

On Kevin Youkilis: “You sign this Adrian Gonzalez, now you’re asking Youk to move to another position that’s taxing on your body. It’s really kind of hurt him this year. … That’s a tough position to play in the show when he doesn’t have the arm strength, that big body to go over to third base. He’s a scrappy ballplayer, but he was doing just fine at first base also.”

On Daniel Bard: “He needs to concentrate. He has the velocity, he has the seam. He’s been throwing his breaking ball great this year. I watched him come in throwing his slider a lot more, making his fastball even more effective before this little stretch. But he needs to get back to hitting his spots. Go down and away. Hit your spot. You can’t go down the middle. Focus on down and away, focus on inside — whatever that seam’s going to be. You can’t get away at the big league level — you can get away with it a little bit more when you have that velocity, but you’re starting to get hit now because of the location, in my opinion.”