Can We Go 9-3 By The ALL-STAR BREAK

by Gerard on Jun 27, 2005 10:28 AM PDT

Now that we've reached heights that we haven't been at for a while. We need to think realistically about the expectations of the A's over the next couple of weeks.

The next 12 games are against Seattle, Chicago and Toronto. Is 9-3 realistic over that span? I icked 9-3 b/c that would put us over .500

We've just witnessed a crushing of the Giants. But after all, the're just the Giants and were already going the wrong direction. Seattle took one in SD and we know they're tough. The WhiteSox are the benchmark by which all teams must be compared to so far this season. We were a little lucky the first time around. The A's will need to probably take 4 of 6 from the pale hose. Toronto is young and therefore unpredictable.

So what do you think AN? Can we go 9-3 or what is more realistic?

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very possible

but i'd say 8-4 is more likely.

6 games against the white sox, and i'd be very happy if the a's won 3, possibly 4.

the way seattle and toronto are going, it shouldn't be a big problem to take 4 or 5 of 6 against them, if not sweep them both.

love, mike in canada

by oakland ehs on Jun 27, 2005 10:48 AM PDT reply actions

I'd agree with 8-4

But who knows, if everyone stays hot they could go 10-2 or 11-1.

by BruceBochte on Jun 27, 2005 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions

More Fodder

Over the last 10 games:

CWS 8-2
Tor 5-5
Sea 5-5

against the AL west best record CWS 9-9, the other two are below .500

by Gerard on Jun 27, 2005 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions

I guess another way to look at this...

is how good do we think the team is right now. What does it lack to make a push toward the playoffs.
I'm not getting hopeful yet b/c we're still 5 games below .500, but the Angels can't feel good about losing one of their starters until late Aug./early Sept.

by Gerard on Jun 27, 2005 11:01 AM PDT reply actions

Question

Last year ESPN used to have this neat graph feature that showed team's games above or below .500 over time. I can't find it on their site this year, but I thought it was one of the most useful ways of looking at the standings and races. Does anyone know any other sites that post this kind of graphic information?

by BruceBochte on Jun 27, 2005 11:20 AM PDT reply actions

division race graph

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/teams/alwest/

Wasted? What about our staring contests? And the way we always knew what football coaches should have done? - Homer

by andeux on Jun 27, 2005 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

That's an awsome link.

by Mabster on Jun 27, 2005 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions

History is on our side

As the White Sox have played extremely poorly in Oakland. They are a hot team, but is any team right now really hotter than the A's?

I mean really, don't you keep wondering when one of the starters is going to have a bad (or even average) outing? Haren and Zito have found their grooves and Harden is simply untouchable. Saarloos has been an unexpected surprise, and combined with a healthy bullpen can be counted on for a win. Blanton is the only question mark in the rotation, but he seems to pitch as the rest of the team does, so if they continue to dominate, maybe he will too.

And we can finally say that the hitting has finally come around. In this weekend's embarrassment of the Giants, there was some great hitting all around. RISP hitting and two out hitting included. After yesterday, at least the hitters get a day off to rest their legs from running around the bases all day.

I'll spot two games to the Sox, one to the Jays, and a sweep of Seattle this week. That's 9-3, so I'll say yes to your question.

by almostreggie on Jun 27, 2005 11:50 AM PDT reply actions

ummm, the red sox are pretty hot too...

They have won 12 of 13 while sweeping the Indians (who had a 9 game win streak I believe before the series) and Phillies on the road...Granted its their bats and not their pitching, but I'd be scared to face them right now.

Sun. 12 at Chicago Cubs W 8-1
Mon. 13 Cincinnati W 10-3
Tue. 14 Cincinnati W 7-0
Wed. 15 Cincinnati W 6-1
Fri. 17 Pittsburgh W 6-5
Sat. 18 Pittsburgh L 2-0
Sun. 19 Pittsburgh W 8-0
Mon. 20 at Cleveland W 10-9
Tue. 21 at Cleveland W 9-2
Wed. 22 at Cleveland W 5-4
Fri. 24 at Philadelphia W 8-0
Sat. 25 at Philadelphia W 7-1
Sun. 26 at Philadelphia W 12-8

NOTE: Thats not taking away from what the A's are doing, I'm just saying the Sux look pretty locked in...

by CyZito on Jun 27, 2005 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Young Guns

I hope Zito doesn't get another ND by getting 1 run in the next game. It is possible to sweep the Mariners but the White Sox is another question as Harden has to be perfect on Friday to possibly take 2 of 3

You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club wont be worth a dime.-Babe Ruth

by doublehustle22 on Jun 27, 2005 12:09 PM PDT reply actions

What is the Sox rotation looking like

Will we get Buehrle,a nd Garland in both series? That is the big factor, the rest of the rotation is very hittable, but if 4 of six are against those 2 it will be tough.

by theblackpearl on Jun 27, 2005 12:10 PM PDT reply actions

Unfortunately, yes

It looks like we will get both Garland and Buehrle in both series.

Starting tomorrow at Detroit they're projected to run out Buehrle, McCarthy or Robertson for Hernandez, and Garcia.

That lines us up for Contreras, Garland and Buehrle in Oakland.

Hernandez should be off the 15-day DL to start agasinst Tampa Bay, followed by Garcia and Contreras.

Then they have an off-day, but if they stay with the rotation and just give everyone an extra day's rest we'll get Garland, Buerhle and Hernandez in Chicago.

by green star oakland on Jun 27, 2005 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions

And pray we dont get the Toronto Ace

Halladay

by theblackpearl on Jun 27, 2005 12:11 PM PDT reply actions

Unfortunately, yes again

As it stands (unless they juggle things with their two off-days) we'll likely get Halladay, Towers and Lilly. No Chacin though.

by green star oakland on Jun 27, 2005 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions

9 of 12 is realistic...

especially since we have some home games in there. 8 of 12 is more reslistic, and 7 of 12 is close too... I'm not sure. If our boys keep pitching like this, anything is possible! .500 by the break would be AWESOME!!!

"I have an Alka Seltzer bat. You know, plop plop fizz fizz. When the pitcher sees me walking up there they say, 'Oh what a relief it is.'" -Andy Van Slyke

by ZeroIndulgence on Jun 27, 2005 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

It should be noted

that in recent history, the A's have held up well in Chicago, and have handled Buehrle better than most teams have.

It's also not a matter of necessarily beating Chicago's best pitchers--"no decisions" work well, as our bullpen can match theirs about evenly for overall quality and depth.

And I doubt Buehrle and Garland will win 89% of their decisions this year, just as I doubt the Whitesox will win 111 games. There's a lot of normal regression waiting to happen in Chicago.

So whether we will go 9-3 (or even 6-6) remains to be seen, but can we? Sure.

Nico

by Nico on Jun 27, 2005 2:39 PM PDT reply actions

One of the theories...

...behind why the Cubs never managed to do well into the summer was b/c of the oppressive midwest heat. Playing all of those day games was a large part of that (in addition to their mediocrity). The WhiteSox were the forgotten step-child and didn't fare much better.At least, they didn't receive as much publicity.

I don't believe that the weather is the main reason b/c I can't imagine that NY, Boston or St. Louis were any cooler. I still think it has to do with that goat that was prevented from going to the Cubs' games.

I do think that the cooler climate we experience here does help our players. Hudson for example, has not learned to recondition himself yet to living back in Atlanta, as he admitted prior to going on the DL. But I think that the depth of the pitching staffs will be an important factor in determing whose playing better ball right before the break. If we are to face Haliday, Beuhrle and Garland, I'd rather do it now than at any other time we've witnessed our offense this season. Bring 'em on!

by Gerard on Jun 27, 2005 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions

chicago/toronto well be a...

...good measuring stick.

let's find out what this team is made of. sure the a's have had a nice little run here but they've been playing some pretty friggin' weak teams. if the a's can take 2 of 3 from the m's it should set them up for some good baseball in chicago. i'ii be at the toronto games (which means jack shit other than..well, i'ii be there) and the a's play rather well in the roger's centre.

go a's

The "Free Matt Watson from Sacramento-III", "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in"- Watson, mutterin' back to "the sac"

by bigelephant on Jun 27, 2005 4:09 PM PDT reply actions

You Should Bring...

Some obnoxious fluorescent yellow and green sign proclaiming "Athletics Nation" so we can spot you. Do you know what section/general region your seats are in? It's always cool to spot A's fans when they're on the road.
...unless I see of course, some pachyderm resembling Stomper walking through the stands...

by Gerard on Jun 27, 2005 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions