4 GIDP + 0-13 RISP + 1 E = 0-1
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 10, 2006 9:09 PM PDT
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PrintThat was one dubious equation that the A's created tonight. And the funny thing was that after the A's beat the Twins all the experts could say over and over again was that the A's are a team that plays the game the right way. If that's the right way, I don't wanna be right.
Tonight was essentially George Costanza's opposite day. At least on the defensive front. And it wasn't just the Jimenez error, although that was huge. Swisher not getting an out on the Granderson play. Chavez missing a ball that he vaccuumed up during the regular season. It just wasn't the A's on the defensive side.
As for the GIDP thing and the lack of hitting with RISP, well, that is a tendency of our lovable muppets. And if the A's are to advance, that's something that they're going to overcome with great pitching and defense. Tonight, the pitching and defense couldn't bail them out.
Yes, the umpiring was horrid. I found the non-strikeout call on Polanco to be the worst offense of the night. But our boys lost this game tonight. If that's Zito's last appearance in an A's uniform, then that's a sad way to go out. I was surprised that the Tigers were able to go against their stats and have a very patient approach against Zito. They looked more like Yankee hitters than Tiger hitters and for that they deserve kudos. I think the Twins could've done the same thing and had success against Barry because to me, the majority of Zito's pitches were also out of the zone. The difference was that the Tigers gave the ump a chance to call them balls. When you throw 92 pitches and only 49 are strikes, you aren't going to win many games.
The A's set a couple of ignominious records tonight with the most double plays in a nine-inning game in an ALCS game and missing success with RISP, going 0-13.
The way I'm trying to approach this series (my wife would argue unsuccessfully considering how I was yelling at the TV) is that this has been a successful season and I need to be happy with whatever happens. But the truth is that it's really hard to get this close to a World Championship and not have every play make you go crazy.
Still, 0-1 isn't the end of the world. Although the Tigers have probably their most talented starting pitcher going tomorrow against a guy who most A's fans still think is going to fall apart like a house of straw any moment now. The one thing that could be the difference in this series...if the Tigers remain that patient and approach every game that way, this could be a quick series. Although the Sean Casey injury could have a big impact on their offense.
As for the A's RISP problem, I expect it to change if the A's continue to get guys on base, but the truth is that it probably won't since it hasn't all year. They are also facing a great pitcher each and every night now in the playoffs, so it could continue to be tough sledding.
The Tigers lost the first game last series and then went on to win three straight. Let's turn the tables this time.
GO A'S!!!!!!!
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first?
Okay, who pinched me?
I'm glad...
I'll be there tomorrow!
Go A's!
I'm with you Blez....
Each pitch is so stressful and important.
We hit the ball well tonight and if we had any luck we would have scored five or six runs, but luck wasn't on our side tonight, niether was the home plate umpire.
As for Zito, the 2-1 homerun pitch to Inge was brutal and Zito just couldn't finish anyone off tonight. After the homer, he lost all focus and was really lucky to give up only 2 runs in the second inning. His luck ran out when Ivan Rodriguez smashed another 2-1 pitch over Kotsay's head.
We can't play any worse then we did tonight and hopefully Loaiza can surprise us again and beat one of the games very best youngsters.
We need the win tommorow as Harden, Haren and Zito will be ready when we head to Detroit.
That's the key...
by Coach Cleats on Oct 10, 2006 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
That was...
by compy75 on Oct 10, 2006 9:12 PM PDT reply actions
it was an ugly game.
let's tie this thing tomorrow.
LET'S GO A'S!!!
After tough A's losses...
I'm not sure how good Kiger
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 10, 2006 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions
That's what I said during
by Salvatore on Oct 10, 2006 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
See your point, but . . .
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree about Kielty being in there tonight
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 10, 2006 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't you think
by Salvatore on Oct 10, 2006 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes I do
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Never happen
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 10, 2006 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Dear Mr. Zito,
P.S. I'm still going to miss the hell out of you.
I've noticed Zito doesn't do well
by calvin @ Athletics Nation on Oct 10, 2006 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Just got Home
No offense but...
I just don't want to see him take the money and run to THAT OTHER team over there in the rotten apple.
I hope beane pays the man and pays him handsomely what he is worth.
Even though he was not worth alot after the 3rd inning tonight.
by Sheldon72 on Oct 11, 2006 1:04 AM PDT up reply actions
Zito likes stats
Apparently he's not happy enough with the Oakland offense to stay here, and money is not the big issue for him.
by Oaktown Girl on Oct 11, 2006 2:13 AM PDT up reply actions
Different Drummer Boy
It's been pretty apparent since he made the timely switch to Boras that he was thinking more about his future than the Athletics'. It's human to anticipate the big bucks.
It's also human for an A's fan to wonder whether his studying of the Yankees' Press Book in the YS dugout last spring (caught on TV) was motivated more by long-term social interests than short-term strategy. Zen and music don't seem adequate explanations for his aloofness anymore.
by FanSinceKC on Oct 11, 2006 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Whew
by bluelightrain84 on Oct 10, 2006 9:21 PM PDT reply actions
Unacceptable!
Sorry Blez, but that mindset is unacceptable to me. This team is going to have a lot of holes next season and if the goal is not "championship or death" than holding on to Zito was a horrid mistake.
That said, 0-1 doesn't worry me too much.
Tonight was a horribly accurate (and putrid) microcosm of everything bad about the A's. Inept managing, inept with RISP and bountiful GIDPs. I have a theory that this 7 game series will be representative of the 7 months of the 2006 season. A rough couple games, bounty in the middle, a tough Game 6 (representing September... which had its lulls) and a Game 7 that will mirror the success or failure of October.
I wish Haren was going tomorrow but oh well. Chin up AN, you're supposed to feel better after vomitting and that perfectly describes what Oakland did in Game 1. I wish I could be around for Game 2 but that's not what the Fates have intended. On second thought, I wasn't able to follow any of the A's/Twins series, so maybe my absence will bring good fortune to the A's.
I don't need you to validate
If you don't like it, tough.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 10, 2006 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions
That's better!
My wife would tell you that
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 10, 2006 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Hello!
Wait a sec...
Nothing to see here folks! Move about your business!
FWIW, Blez
But I feel -- and I hope the A's feel -- somewhat, I dunno, liberated by the sweep of the Twins. The monkey is off our back. It's time to have a Nick Swisher type of attitude -- play all out, take a huge cut, and even if you K, go back to the dugout with a smile on your face.
So we K'd tonight. Get back in there tomorrow night and take our hacks. And keep doing that until they stop scheduling games for us to play or we raise the trophy.
I feel liberated too.
Although I slept like crap in Boston last night.
by poetwee on Oct 11, 2006 6:24 AM PDT up reply actions
well
I'll be drinking more tonight, since I can RedLine it. That reminds me (again) that I should buy some Henessey for the commute home. I'm gonna tear this MBTA sh*t up, Oak-town stylee.
by poetwee on Oct 11, 2006 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions
WDMDW?
Between Zito's shoddy performance, the defensive lapses, the DP's and the RISP 0-fer, I can't recall anything that Macha screwed up tonight. Doesn't mean it didn't happen; I just can't remember it.
The no Kielty decision
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 10, 2006 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't blame Macha for the loss, but
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions
two runners on
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions
My big problem with Macha (tonight)
Look, Zito didn't have his "A" game tonight and he couldn't get a call from the homeplate umpire to save his life. When Zito isn't getting his curve called for strikes, when he's getting squeezed by Blue, he's not going to be very effective. Barry does not have the fastball to blow it by hitters if they're sitting on it, he can't dial it up to 96 MPH like Robertson did.
Tonight called for a quicker hook by Macha. Maybe it doesn't help change the outcome, but pulling Barry after Igor's HR would have been the smart play. But Macha didn't do it and the Tigers scored two more runs.
Hey, I'm not blaming Macha for the RISP disaster or the shoddy defense, those faults lie on the players and maybe 3 runs would have been all the Tigers needed tonight to win. But coming back from 3 runs is a lot easier than coming back from 5 down, and those two extra runs that Zito gave up are Macha's responsibilty. Barry did not have it tonight and it was Macha's job to protect his pitcher and his team by removing him earlier than he did.
Fair enough, but
Let's look at Zito's night. He retired the first six batters. In the third, he essentially gave up a homer, a double and a walk and got five outs, including the Polanco should-have-been-K and the Chavez misplay. I don't think that inning merited having someone up at the beginning of the fourth inning, which would have been necessary to make a change after the Pudge homer. Macha probably shouldn't have let Zito pitch to Polanco, but by then it was 4-0 anyway, largely due to Jimenez' bad throw.
by dylantravis on Oct 10, 2006 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Inept
Thing is, we've seen this kind of thing from Barry before. He got shook up in the 3rd and Macha should have been ready to pull him if he didn't show signs of recovering from the trauma in the 4th. There is no way Macha could not have recognized the danger signs, he chose to ignore them until it was too late.
I thought Macha played it exactly right.
Zito's inability to throw enough quality pitches after the first 8 hitters, Crawford's pathetically tight strike zone, and Chavy's and Jiminez' inability to make plays you would expect them to make, were the problems. Macha did the best he could under very poor circumstances created for him.
agree nico
I hope that was the only game that ellis' injury costs us. maybe the casey injury will cost them a game--but i believe ellis was more important to the a's than casey is (was) to the tigers.
by Steve in Napa on Oct 10, 2006 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions
A brave comment
Zito did not have it tonight and he was getting squeezed by Blue. This is the play-offs, when you cough one up you don't get a whole lotta opportunities to make it up. You said it yourself Nico, Zito wasn't throwing quality pitches. What more justification does a manager need to pull a pitcher?
hey...
by wolffpackdavid on Oct 10, 2006 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Your entitled to your opinion, but
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Did I say you weren't entitled
While I agree with the principle of yearly competitiveness, the 2006 roster did not lend itself to that plan. Payton, Zito, Kielty and Melhuse are all likely to be elsewhere next season and I think there is a good chance that one of Calero or Duke will be traded to fill a hole elsewhere. Crosby has become more question than answer at this point. Does Thomas really have two more years in him?
Point is the 2007 looks to be a lot weaker than this year's version and the farm system is not poised to reload the roster like it did in 2005. The yearly competitive plan would have called for trading Zito and Payton at the deadline to strengthen future rosters but Beane didn't go that route. He's shooting for a championship, therefore anything short of that would have to be considered a failure.
Meh . . .
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions
If the goal is a WS title
But a world championship is different. A new trophy can buy you that stadium. It can make you more attractive to free agents and advertising dollars. The trophy can have a long term impact on the health of a franchise.
On a different note, if FA compensation is done away with in the next bargaining agreement than yes, I think it would be imperative to trade players like Barry Zito rather than letting them walk away without receiving compensation. A lot of people have said that they'd be fine with letting Zito walk in exchange for the post-season and a couple 1st round picks. What if you didn't get those 1st round picks? What if compensation was set up like the NFL, where a team could lose a star player and it would get (at best) a draft pick at the end of the 3rd round? Would those extra two months of Zito be worth it if you didn't make the World Series?
I believe it's naive to think that what the future foretells does not have a bearing on the present. Frank Thomas was signed to a one year deal, he was exactly the type of player (ie expendable) Beane was looking for when he sought to build his roster this year. He knew that Zito was gone after this season and he deliberately brought in short timers like Bradley and Thomas because he wanted to build a roster that could win NOW. There is no long term upside to the trio of Zito and Thomas and Bradley, not in Oakland anyways. They are here to help the A's win now. And since there looks to be a significant talent drop-off on next year's roster the only plan that makes sense is to win the whole fucking thing in 2006.
Anything else is a compromised half-measure.
I feel sorry for the people who
I do too
I didn't make this call. Billy Beane set the bar and if he doesn't clear it than you have to call it a failure.
Beane brought Thomas in,
As a smaller-market team, you will always be "losing someone, keeping someone, and bringing someone up, just like last year and just like next year." The A's are intended to be contenders for the division, and any short-series possible, now and later.
Losing Zito will not send the A's into a rebuilding mode for 2007. Heck, if Harden is healthy in 2007, the starting pitching may wind up being BETTER than it was with Zito in 2006.
And if Crosby can stay healthy and live up
I'm not saying the 2007 Oakland Athletics are going to turn into the Pittsburgh Pirates West. All I'm saying is that next year's roster looks to be weaker than the 2006 version. The 2006 team was built to win it all this year. Right now it looks like the goal of the 2007 team will be much like that of the 2005 version: Survive and build.
Thomas
I don't consider a "failure" if we don't get to the World Series.
IMHO: This season has been a huge success. Everything else is gravy.
Go A's!
by Colorado Fan on Oct 10, 2006 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions
That's fine
And make no mistake, Beane's roster decisions have been about one thing, and one thing only, winning a World Championship in 2006.
I don't agree
Not having Zito next season makes this roster a non-World Championship Caliber team in 2006? I don't think so.
by Colorado Fan on Oct 10, 2006 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I knew you meant 2007
I'm an optomist. I'm absolutely positive that the A's can't plan around full, productive seasons from Crosby and Harden. That leaves the rotation holding open auditions for two jobs and hoping that Blanton can bounce back. The also line-up needs further reinforcments.
We could debate this forever,
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
You're not listening to me
That has not always been the A's goal. Nor should the A's attempt such a plan year after year, because their financial limitaions prohibit them from doing so. I agree with the concept of building a competetive team for the long haul, but that does not take away from the fact that Beane has built this year's team with an unusually heavy emphasis on winning this season.
What?
The Bradley deal was short-term focused, but I am guessing that Beane's logic was that Bradley will be better than Ethier in 2006 and 2007, and Buck will be almost as good as Ethier in 2008 and beyond.
Keeping Zito now will hurt the team next year, but I doubt that one starting pitcher is going to make the difference between the A's contending or not next year.
I think Beane's offseason moves were actually pretty consistent with most of his offseason and deadline activity: put the best team on the field for the current season term without doing drastic damage to your ability to compete in the future.
by dylantravis on Oct 10, 2006 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Let's break down the track record
Tejada. He kept Tejada because he had a team centered around the Aces that was good enough to win a title. He also had a hotshot SS prospect in Bobby Crosby who needed another year of seasoning.
He traded for guys like Guillen and Durham and Damon becuase he knew their departures would not gut the core of his team. He also knew he had guys who could replace those players in his organization.
By my estimation the A's are likely to lose Payton, Kielty (although I thought he was a gones before this offseason) Melhuse and Zito. Now, Melhuse can be replaced in-house but there is no ready to step up and fill behind Payton or Zito. Hell, there's no one in the organization who looks primed to replace Kielty as the designated lefty-killer.
Thomas was all about winning this year. For one thing, he only got a one year deal! For another thing, you do not sign a 38 year old DH with an eye on building for the future. At that age the end can come at any time.
The A's aren't positioned to replace their losses from within. Sure, they could always go outside their system to find help but that requires either money (which has never been in great supply) or tradeable prospects (which the A's do not have in abundance right now.) You're looking at a minimum of a 20% roster turn-over and it's obvious that the A's are short on resources to fill the holes. The A's played short-handed often enough in 2006, I don't really want to see that happen again next year.
My response
I agree with your paragraph about Guillen, Durham and Damon, but I don't see how that shows that Beane is more short-term focused this year than in those years. Beane didn't make any "rental" (one-year or less) trades this year, which would refute your assertion that he has been more focused on the present in 2006.
The players you list as being gone made $14 million this year. Kendall will be $4 million cheaper. Raises will eat into those savings, of course, but I would think Beane will have the resources to sign a decent pitcher to a Loaiza type contract and find a Kielty-level outfielder (maybe Kielty himself in a platoon with DJ). Does this make the A's better next year? Of course not, but it's not a certain ticket to mediocrity, either.
We just see the Thomas situation differently. I think Beane would have made this move in any year he was needed a DH, regardless of his expectations for the team. If it works, it makes the team better today. If it doesn't, it only costs a few dollars off the current payroll. In either case, it has no cost in players or future payroll, so who cares whether the end can come at any time? The only way the deal might not make sense is if the A's had a young player to use at DH and Thomas would be blocking him from getting experience, but that was not the case. Unless the A's had been in total rebuild mode, the Thomas signing made sense.
Yes, the Thomas signing made sense
Hart and Crosby were not the sole reasons Beane kept Giambi and Tejada, they just made the decision easier on Beane. Follow the pattern. Giambi was supposed to be replaced by Hart, a good prospect already in the organization. When Hart struggled Beane went out and traded for Carlos Pena (one of the top 1B prospects in all of baseball) to replace Giambi. Tejada was going to be replaced by Crosby, one of the top SS prospects in all of baseball. He traded Mulder for Haren, who had just lost top prospect status because of a big league promotion. Hudson beget Dan Meyers, one of the top SP prospects in baseball. Where's the top prospect lining up to replace Barry Zito in 2007?
<crickets chirping)<p> <cow moos in the distance>
Exactly.
Beane broke his established pattern of having a top prospect ready to replace a departing core player because he was placing more emphasis on winning a title in 2006. He didn't go out and buy a short term rental because he couldn't afford the price. Beane will never be the type of GM who will strip his farm system to chase down a title.
I read all of this
A truly successful season is one in which you win and by win I mean win it all. I can consider this a good season if we win or lose because the A's did some "good" things, but in the end they still failed to reach their goal and that is winning it all, thus making it a failure. If Beane's goal is simply to make the playoffs or to win the AL West then I say we need a new GM. I know the thought of that is blasphemy on this site, but I also think that whoever said that we're just in it to make the playoffs above is sorely mistaken.
The second place is okay attitude is one of a loser. If you're aren't pushing to be the best at whatever you do, you're striving for mediocrity. If you guys are okay with that, then feel free.
The funniest thing about all of this, and I'll leave you with this thought...Which of the A's do you think are okay with not winning it all and thinking this season was a success???
I'd bet Chavvy comes out and says it was a successful year (I think his attitude is one of a loser). I'd bet that Swish, Frank, Milton, Loaiza, Kotsay, Scutaro and Payton would all be extremely pissed and think that this year was a failure. It's purely conjecture, but that's how I see a few of our key players. How do you guys see them?
by RunRickeyRun on Oct 11, 2006 6:50 AM PDT up reply actions
By your arguments then
How do I see the A's players? As long as they played as hard as they reasonably could, prepared, trained and worked as hard as they reasonably could, I have no problems with them and would continue to support them and cheer them without reservations.
The Yankees and many of their fans believe that not winnning the WS is a failure. To them, winning is a duty, an obligation, not a reward, and victory brings no joy, merely relief.
boosting attendance
What did you think they would win every game?
I agree with Pinella (who I thought was pretty good tonight BTW) if the A's keep getting em on, sooner or later they will drive them in.
I'm excited to watch the A's bounce back tomorrow.
Strike Zone
And for those of us who unfortunately had to watch from home, how bad was that announcing. Thanks for all the generic information on the A's and Tigers FOX. I know you wanted a Yankees/Twins ALCS but come on. Pathetic.
by Misplaced As Fan on Oct 10, 2006 9:27 PM PDT reply actions
It looked the like the plate umpire
thoughts
Breaks come and go for both teams, and the Tigers had them tonight, with the glove especially. All of the DP's were turned well by them.
I am also not in panic mode with 0-1, and the A's seem to play well when all analysis folks are talking shit about their past. That past, will now be the 0-13 and 4 DP's. Last Tuesday, it was Santana and the why-the-hell-is-it-here dome. Wednesday, it was how big Frank "carried them in game one, and no one else did jack shit." (even though we know otherwise). Friday, 0 and 9 in clinc...shut the hell up, ESPN/Fox--That one is overwith.
The A's have bounced back countless times since the ASBreak, with only one or two(?) 3 game losing streaks--I believe--before the division clinch. Just remember that this is the same team that lost 15-2 or something like that, to the Yankees on opening night, and look at them now.
The hitters will be pissed, but calm tonight, knowing that they are good enough to score lots of runs.
Peace V and go A's!
by wolffpackdavid on Oct 10, 2006 9:28 PM PDT reply actions
Well Ellis' offense is especially
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 10, 2006 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Fire everybody now!
On the bright side, we might be able to get Torre, A-Rod, Jeter, Rivera, Cano, and Posada real cheap for next year.
by matthias on Oct 10, 2006 9:28 PM PDT reply actions
I was disgusted tonight. DISGUSTED
-"This is the worst baseball park I've ever been in"
-"Hey, get up. It's the seventh innning stand-up"
- After Calero comes in: "Who the hell is this guy?"
These were probably the only three things that came out of their mouths even remotely connected to baseball the whole night. They talked and talked and talked the whole rest of the night about their lame ass tech jobs and did not shut the fuck up the entire night. I've never been more frustrated with people around me in my life. EVER. If you don't like baseball, stay the fuck home! If you don't like the A's, or even the Tigers for that matter, stay the fuck home!
To the three fucking nerds in 214, Row 2, seats 9, 10, and 11...you guys are really fucking lucky. My friends talked me out of literally pissing in your faces about three times.
I'm too pissed to deconstruct this game.
Steamroll the kitties tomorrow.
As you're disgusted by those fans,
by fadedash on Oct 10, 2006 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions
doubtful
by pickinmachine on Oct 10, 2006 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Exactly.
ever hear of a transistor radio?
you can create your own solutions to personal complaints, can't you?
by fadedash on Oct 10, 2006 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah Tony.
by Helloooo 1st on Oct 10, 2006 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions
fer realz
by burnone on Oct 10, 2006 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Uh....you're taking that the wrong way.
And as far as your transistor radio comment....that is laughable. I want to experience a game in person like I do on this board...as part of a larger group, collectively pulling, and hoping, and cheering for something. And, I guess I'm wrong for not tuning them out! Because it's pretty easy when they're sitting 3 inches from you and don't stop the whole game. Why don't you tell me where you're sitting tomorrow and I'll come sit next to you and see if you can ignore me for 9 straight innings.
i wouldn't have to ignore you for 3 hours
or was it just you being extra demanding?
and if someone would've wanted to give an arm and a leg to be at the game, they very well could have. have you not seen craigslist?
i'll be in 233, row 11 seats 8 and 9.
come on over.
by fadedash on Oct 10, 2006 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions
We're just going to have to disagree on this one
cause that makes sense
could you not have just gone to security? why was that so hard?
by fadedash on Oct 10, 2006 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Becasue if I went to security to complain
Dude, my point was that I hate to see a bunch of people who don't give a shit about the A's or the game show up just because it's the playoffs. I think you're taking the whole thing a little far. Let it go.
i'm taking it far because
would you prefer they didn't have a high attendance?
would you prefer them to receive little media attention?
would you prefer them to play in a dump of a stadium where only 15,000 show up?
or would you prefer that this team make it to the world series, sell out their seats on a regular basis, and become one of the more consistently talked about teams in the country?
with all the animosity fans have against the a's looking to move outside of oakland, i really question our fan base when they complain about a few fair-weathered fans sitting next to them.
maybe the owners have it right all along.
by fadedash on Oct 10, 2006 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions
OH MY GOD
I guess the fact that everyone so far has agreed with me and not with you wasn't enough to get you to stop. Or the fact that I tried to end this stupid little back and forth with a joke TWICE wasn't enough. I guess I was wrong. Those three weren't the biggest douchbags in the stadium tonight.
Keep responding. I don't care, I'm done with you.
yo
But in any event, sounds like Tony's right - they were dorks.
TECH Dorks.
by brooklyn as fan on Oct 11, 2006 6:56 AM PDT up reply actions
I hate to say it but
Just a thought, although lots of you my disagree(?).
by wolffpackdavid on Oct 10, 2006 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I
by bluelightrain84 on Oct 10, 2006 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions
So you guys would rather the A's
OK.
Just A Tad Hypocrtical
Q: What happened when we won 3 games against Minnesota?
A: Everyone whined about how no analysts or journalists gave credit to the A's, but instead focused on Minnesota making mistakes that cost them the games.
And what do the Tigers get today? Just one shallow compliment about their ability to work the count.
They simply knocked us out today with great pitching, great defense, and timely hitting. A bunch of props to the Tigers for a well played game one.
Hopefully we'll get them tomorrow.
by fadedash on Oct 10, 2006 9:35 PM PDT reply actions
wow
by burnone on Oct 10, 2006 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions
monroe's catch
their execution of double plays wasn't good defense (or good pitching for that matter)?
my point is, we didn't do anything all too well in the minny series, but we complain when the analysts dont give us credit and just point to minnesota's mistakes.
the tigers beat us today, and we don't give them any credit?
c'mon now.
by fadedash on Oct 10, 2006 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions
They got lucky?
by OaktownPower on Oct 10, 2006 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Their defense may well have been doodoo
Yeah and a few extra feet and Torii Hunter would have caught the ball too.
Why no Kielty?
Kielty had BETTER be in there
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 10, 2006 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions
He won't be
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions
kielty's also not bad defensively
by guy incognito on Oct 10, 2006 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Because Kotsay whined
by calvin @ Athletics Nation on Oct 10, 2006 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Money
by FanSinceKC on Oct 10, 2006 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Chavvy's "breakout"
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions
on friday...
by burnone on Oct 10, 2006 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Is tomorrows game on Fox or FX?
by A'sfansince1970 on Oct 10, 2006 9:44 PM PDT reply actions
The Portland market has it on Fox.
by OaktownPower on Oct 10, 2006 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions
let's keep the ALCS streak alive
Not actually meaningful, but...
by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 10, 2006 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions
don't panic now
The bad points have all been flogged, so I will emphasize a few positives:
Bullpen was fantastic, no runs in 5 1/3 IP. I thought Joe Blanton in particular looked great.
Good swings off Zumaya, the 103 mph man. Milton's and Chop's were smoked... in a day game Eric's ball probably goes up and out.
I never like to see an opposing player get hurt, but the Casey injury could really come back to haunt the Kitty Kats, with Guillen out of position and the Mayor's bat out of action. We shall see.
I agree this game was kind of a microcosm of all things bad about this team this year, but we are still good enough to be in the Final Four and beyond so let's stay positive and take it to them tomorrow night.
Go A's!!!!
Yeah, and...
by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 10, 2006 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually, no
by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 10, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I think FOX's radar gun was too hyped up
by franks a lot on Oct 11, 2006 7:18 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm zen about this series...
That said, I think the A's have the heart and that ineffable something to bounce back and have a great series.
by calvin @ Athletics Nation on Oct 10, 2006 9:45 PM PDT reply actions
Spirit of Making It Happen
by FanSinceKC on Oct 11, 2006 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Bunghole Tech Nerds
by ChucklesSD on Oct 10, 2006 9:50 PM PDT reply actions
just to make clear
by wolffpackdavid on Oct 10, 2006 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions
HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLO!
by A'sfansince1970 on Oct 10, 2006 9:55 PM PDT reply actions
It's one game!
by A'sfansince1970 on Oct 10, 2006 9:58 PM PDT reply actions
YUP YUP
Chin up, AthleticsNation! GO A's!!!!
by AsBrand on Oct 10, 2006 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm very concerned
Detroit has a deep staff, so it's not like we're going to face the Twins starters not named Santana. And they've already tossed their fourth-best guy out there, who managed to shut out the A's.
Verlander is very good. I'm hoping he is nervous, and that the A's can manage to get a few timely hits.
It's unsettling to have the whole season in the hands of Loaiza, but there it is.
Swisher looked horrible at the plate.
Kotsay's performance certainly didn't make me rethink my pregame belief that Kielty should have started. I'm less comfortable with him playing left field in Detroit's spacious park, but the A's may not have a choice with Rogers scheduled for Game 3 and Robertson in Game 5.
Zito got rattled after the home run, which irks me because there was no reason to freak out over a single run. He had his usual postgame talk about getting too fine after the home run, which irked me even more. That's one thing about Zito I will not miss.
Jimenez is our only realistic option. We're just going to have to hope for the best.
Detroit didn't make any mistakes aside from Guillen's butchery of Kendall's cue shot.
Robertson made some good pitches in the fourth inning with two on and nobody out, but those at-bats were pretty bad. Chavez swung at a ball. Swisher swung at a ball. That eliminated the team's last realistic chance to get back into the game.
It was fine that the bullpen got some work, but I'm not terribly comforted that they did well. Macha didn't have much good to say, so that was all he had.
I've got to think some more about how I feel about Harden in Game Three. At the moment, my only thought is that I hope it actually matters whether Harden or Haren pitches first.
"To fine" --my ass, Barry!
Barry is not an ace if he keeps admitting the same mistake over and over. I don't hear that shit with any of our other starters (unless I missed something). I won't miss him next year, along with "..."you know...you know...you know..." makes me dizzy just hearing him intereviewed sometimes! Hudson was worse.
Next year, I hope that Haren has what it takes to be the ace, but happy if E-Lo or Harden (if healthy) can be it instead.
Enjoy being a Yankee/other, Barry. Your outing tonight showed that you forgot that you have a job to finish here first before collecting the Benjamins times a million.
by wolffpackdavid on Oct 10, 2006 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions
"to fine"
by burnone on Oct 10, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions
too fine
by beijing on Oct 10, 2006 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Crawford's Strikezone
by FanSinceKC on Oct 11, 2006 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions
Positives:
Getting runners on
Bradley all over Zumaya's heat
Negatives:
The kid in front of me in a Giants sweatshirt who would insist on waving the yellow foam stick right when the pitcher would release the ball. Asking his father politely to tell him he can wave it all he wants until the pitcher starts his motion and he looks at me like I was from outer space.
The cougar behind me who would not shut up about what time she wakes her kid up, her favorite restaurants, reality shows, vacations, etc. Slurring by the third inning, yelling the wrong things at the top of her lungs at the most inappropriate moments - think Mox's mom at the bbq in Varsity Blues. Ugh.
Zito's inability to bear down at the first sign of any adversity.
Mark Kotsay.
The 1-1 curve to Pudge called a ball before his dinger.
by southofcruiseamerica on Oct 10, 2006 9:59 PM PDT reply actions
Definitely agree about that bad
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 10, 2006 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Foam sticks
It reminded me off the thunder sticks in 2002's Game Five against the Twins. That's never a good reminder.
They're really kind of an insult
by southofcruiseamerica on Oct 10, 2006 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions
From the CF camera angle,
And yet his strike zone was STILL the most ridiculous thing he had going tonight.
soft!
by AsBrand on Oct 11, 2006 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Pay Up to Wiggle a Noodle
by FanSinceKC on Oct 11, 2006 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, actually
by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 10, 2006 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions
In Detroit?
Booo!
foam sticks
i was sitting in the second row of the left field bleachers, and i threw them on the field in disgust after the final out was made, in a pathetic attempt to physically harm billy kock.
foam sticks II
And they were from Tickets.com...the cheap-ass
Is this what we get for our outrageous "convenience fees," S&H AND whatever-the-fark-else they throw onto your order--some stoopid foam mophead-looking sound-deadening device?
I make more noise when I breathe. I don't know who decided to let 'em insult us so, but they completed the task.
by The Dogfather on Oct 11, 2006 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
There's only one way to go from here
by AsBrand on Oct 10, 2006 9:59 PM PDT reply actions
I just got back from the game
Tomorrow I'll be there again, hoping for a better result.
Enjoy it Gentlemen
Besides...I've got game SEVEN tickets :-)
by ChucklesSD on Oct 10, 2006 10:08 PM PDT reply actions
I don't have too much to add,
Hopefully, it's like Opening Night, when the team, and specifically Zito, bombed but the A's still won the series.
I think either of these teams is fully capable of winning 4 in a row against the other, so I'm not entertaining notions of "If we/they win Game 1 or 2 or...then it's over." When one of the teams gets to four, then, and only then, it's over.
Let's hope it's us.
Understood...
Do I like the team's chances against Kenny Rogers, now that he has gotten rid of his postseason demons? Do I have the slightest idea what the A's will get out of Harden? Nope. I think the Tigers should be favored in Game 3.
Do I like the A's chances against Bonderman, who they can never hit and who just made the Yankees look silly? No. I think the Tigers should be favored in Game 4.
I didn't think the A's HAD to win the first game, but I don't think they can survive losing both games at home. (Besides, I'm selfish. I've got tickets to Game Six.)
The game, I'll agree, was a bore. I can't really say I was that surprised even by the things that went wrong. Jimenez was an accident waiting to happen. Swisher is pressing and hasn't really been hitting well for months. Thomas and Scutaro can't be expected to do everything. Zito was a disappointment, because he reverted to his bad old self, but I guess that's not a shock either. We knew Macha wouldn't play Kielty when the lineups were posted, and there is no guarantee his presence would have helped.
Sure...They will be favored in Games 3 and 4.
by OaktownPower on Oct 10, 2006 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
It's all going to be OK!
Link
I encourage others to do the same, if you can.
by KrautBall on Oct 10, 2006 10:11 PM PDT reply actions
WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!
Just got home from the game, and I have many questions. Yes, the 'pen rocked, and we got runners on, so that was good.
- Why was Zito not pulled about 5 pitches earlier? 3-0 is easier to stomach than 5-0, and everyone where I was sitting was already screaming, "What are you waiting for, Macha?" before the last couple of runs scored.
- Why not pinch hit for Jimenez in the 9th? I mean, it's a perfect opportunity to get an at-bat in there for Kielty, or Melhuse or whoever.
- There is NO number 3.
- Why must Frank Thomas almost always lead off an inning?
- Was the strike zone as inconsistent as it looked from my completely horrible angle?
To answer your queries...
- I agree--that was the one (albeit likely irrelevant) in-game move I disagreed with. It was all about trying to get two more baserunners on, and Kendall/Kotsay were decent bets. I would like to have seen Dan Johnson pinch-hit there. Why not?
- Great point.
- It's Murphy's Law, which says that Thomas has to lead-off the inning because Dwayne Murphy is retired and thus is not even in the lineup.
- The strike zone was horrible. For both teams.
Zito in the fourth
Zito wasn't getting help from his fielders (Chavez, Jimenez) and he is the team's ace. I've seen many games when he pulls it together and pitches a couple more shutout innings. I don't think it was crazy to leave him in.
This isn't a matter of loyalty to his players. I think Macha was wrong not to play Kielty because he's loyal to Kotsay. But I think you leave your ace in the game because there's a good chance he works out of it. There was no guarantee that relievers would throw shutout ball the rest of the way.
And yes, the strike zone was horrible for both teams.
To query your answers...
- Tossup, agreed. And if Jimmy at 2nd turns the DP, it's a different inning.
- I don't know.
- Thank you.
- Is Dwayne Murphy related to Eddie and Charlie Murphy?
- OH NO!!
i don't
we're going with jimenez from here on out - much more likely he's going to come up in a do or die situation than kielty or the house, so he needs all the abs he can get.
big hurt had a couple chances with men on and couldn't come through, and bradley was robbed by the great catch as well.
yes, the strike zone was pretty bad. all over the place, and there were several calls that if they had gone zito's way things might have been way different, but they weren't so all we can do is forget about it and play better tomorrow.
agreed on Macha/Zito
I think you skipped the praise all together
I just got back from the game.
Robertson pitched better than Zito tonight. That was far from impossible, since they have nearly identical numbers this season.
This is a seven game series, and it's going to go that far, or nearly so. Losing one game at home is fine, because I guarantee you we're going to win one in Detroit.
Obviously, if the A's offense doesn't take better advantage of their opportunities than they did tonight, they're going to be in trouble. But my distinct impression of these two teams is that they're very evenly matched, and there's six more games left for the team that makes the most plays to win. I have a lot of faith that this group can still make those plays.
LET'S GO OAKLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!
What probably irritated me most
Perhaps.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think
And he was starting Game 1...and not showing great command...and giving up hits like they were going out of style...and sporting a WHIP of 1.80...
...And we never made him pay. Grrrr...
Yeah.
QFT
by burnone on Oct 10, 2006 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions
if Robertson's pitching was mediocre ...
Expected
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 11, 2006 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions
<nods sagely>
Jus got home from the game =(
by iloveoakland on Oct 10, 2006 10:22 PM PDT reply actions
My 2 Cents
First of all, I was sitting right next to two guys who were from Detroit! (Ok, they were both cute, so it was kinda good) But really, I was not please sitting next to them each time they scored!
Second, Zito worried me, I really don't want that to be the last memory I have of him. I don't think it will be, but that thought crossed my mind and made me really sad.
Third, I really, REALLY, REALLY, want to see them START KIGER tomorrow! Honestly, I don't think that his showing could be much worse than what we saw tonight from Jimenez. If nothing else, it will prevent that bad taste I have in my mouth from surfacing tomorrow any time a ball is hit to second!
Fourth, UMPS SUCK!
Fifth, I was really unhappy when I saw 2 men get arrested, one for HITTING A COP and the other for unknown reasons. Very disappointed, we are on the National Stage people!! We have a series between two of the "nastiest" cities in the country, Detriot and Oakland, can we PLEASE show a little CLASS!!
Sixth, on a positive note, getting hits off Zummaya was a very positive sight. It really gave me the feeling that all is not lost and I hope they take those hits and that momentum into the next few games.
Seventh, I really think this is not lost. It is only one game and I think like others have said, they will take this loss, learn from it, and come out simply wonderful the rest of the series!!
Eighth, I love Joe Blanton. I was very happy when I saw him warming up. I just love him and I think he got the raw end of the four-man-rotation deal. I totally understand it, but I still Love Joe and I was glad he got in the game tonight!
That is all, lets get them tomorrow!!
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 10, 2006 10:23 PM PDT reply actions
It must be "Get Arrested Night."
start kiger?
by KCB on Oct 10, 2006 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Were the third graders
This is the kind of outside the box
by OaktownPower on Oct 10, 2006 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Why Not Start him??
PS. I would be happy to rub my boy's back, I volunteered months ago and never got a call! =(
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 10, 2006 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Whats the harm?
We miss Ellis, there is no doubt..but Jimenez is the best choice we have....if he wasnt, Kiger or Melillio or Ginter would have been on the roster originally.
Jimenez has played a lot of major league games....gotta let him settle in a bit.
by OaktownPower on Oct 10, 2006 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions
The calls for Kiger
He's an absolute, emergency-only replacement. He's not going to pinch hit, pinch run, fill in on D or anything else unless Scutaro or Jimenez's arms fall off.
good thing he's not trying to impress you
by fadedash on Oct 10, 2006 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I am sure they are
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 10, 2006 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I dont think the ALCS
Not to mention you screw with Jimenez's confidence when you need him the rest of the series and you also take 4 more AB away from a guy who needs AB's bad.
Using Kiger tomorrow would be a big mistake and a huge overreaction by Macha.
by OaktownPower on Oct 10, 2006 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions
did you just politely ask
i don't think it works that way.
by fadedash on Oct 10, 2006 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Rather
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 10, 2006 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions
That was.....
I jinxed 'em.
I'm sorry, boys.
But those green stripes will be in my hair for tomorrow, so please, baseball gods, forgive me this trespass.
"No. It's Oakland."
I really dont get the Start Kiger movement...
I think the idea of putting some dude who has never played a Major League Game into a situation like this makes no sense. Welcome to the Bigs, it is the freaking ALCS...dont make any mistakes? Man, I cant think of a worse idea for a guy. Kiger is there strictly in an emergency...Starting this dude would be a VERY poor over-reaction to one play in my opinion. I dont think it is fair to Jimenez and I REALLY dont think it is fair to Kiger to put him in that spot and expect flawless D.
JImenez looked solid at the plate.
I'm not sure I support the Kiger movement either
yes
by BlameChannel53 on Oct 10, 2006 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions
well
I've never been happier that the ALCS is a 7 game series. A LOT can happen still.
LETS GO OAKLAND!!!
Take Your Hand Off the PANIC Switch
It's Game 1. We still have a long way to go. I wouldn't make any personnel adjustments. They just have to play their game mentally. The team that keeps it together between the ears is going to win this series.
by Dann on Oct 10, 2006 10:30 PM PDT reply actions
Your analysis perfectly explains
Stat geekism to the n'th degree!
I slipped on some sangfreud once.
by The Dogfather on Oct 11, 2006 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
I saw Sangfroid and Roy in Vegas once
I Sangfroid to a female psychology student...
I think we need a sangue to another word
by The Dogfather on Oct 11, 2006 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks!
Just got home from the game
Between me, you and a fence post, I seriously doubt that Verlander, Rogers or Bonderman will come close to throwing games as good as they did in the division series. It wouldn't surprise me a bit to see Verlander have as bad a game as Zito had tonight and not get out of the 4th inning.
Yeah
by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 10, 2006 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Just got back from the game
Anyway insane game! Wow...
That really sucks.
I saw that too
Why start trouble with other fans of the game, I don't understand it! They are just there supporting their team, as are we! Can't we just sit back and enjoy the game! Way too many people getting arrested tonight and way too many fights, it really needs to stop!
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 10, 2006 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Just curious
Personally
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 10, 2006 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions
That; sucks.
madness
I blame Tony...
by The Dogfather on Oct 11, 2006 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
i didn't see any fights
by burnone on Oct 10, 2006 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Raiders 49ers game
by Hit4TheCycle on Oct 10, 2006 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions
so we've
chokeland pathetics...
whatever.
i coined a new one tonight, not to my liking.
the oakland emothletics.
STOP CRYING PANSIES! WE GOT A GAME TOMORROW THAT WE ARE GOING TO WIN! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
(Note: that was directed at any of the Active Roster A's that are crying right now)
by takebart on Oct 10, 2006 10:41 PM PDT reply actions
Harden starting Game 3
by southofcruiseamerica on Oct 10, 2006 10:45 PM PDT reply actions
its a gamble
if he's the real richard the lionheart it gives us a great shot to go to the series. if not, oh well, we might still pull it out in 7 and if we don't, its still been a great ride. i was nervous as all get out last fri, but now that we are out of the alds, i am taking a very relaxed "just enjoy watching the team you love play in the alcs" attitude. if they do make the series though, i am sure i will be start getting quite nervous.
About Verlander . . .
I mention this just to humbly suggest that we keep things in perspective. Johann is now at home in front of the TV with a Bud Lite watching us play.
GO A's!!!
who's johan?
by burnone on Oct 10, 2006 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions
crowd
Tough loss, obviously
That said, I can't say I was too shocked to see Zito tagged today. I love him, and I wish we could keep him this off-season, but I don't think he's our best pitcher for Game 1 in the playoffs (my vote goes to Haren). The A's D was a bit of let-down tonight, but when you're giving up double after double after... home run, and the best counter you can come up with is one helluva hard-hit ground ball to the second baseman... well, the defensive lapses seem a little nitpicky by comparison.
Especially because the ship will be righted. Chavvy and Swish will return to their excellent defensive ways, Frank's gonna connect sooner rather than later, and Jiminez... well, he'll earn that gold star for effort come hell or high water. This is why we play best of 7. So let's try to get it in 5.
On a different note, my thoughts go out to Sean Casey. It's being reported as just a strain, but anyone who saw that X-Mo replay was about 4 seconds from redepositing dinner into their laps. I really hope he gets back soon, even if it hurts our chances to win, first because you never root for a player to get (or stay) injured, and secondly because I want our best 9 to beat theirs.
10, if you count Kielty playing at some point.
Go A's.
i wish zito had been SITZ tonight
as far as not starting kielty or pulling zito earlier, both of those would have been good moves (kotsay almost hit into four double plays), but neither one would have changed the outcome of the game.
pretty much the whole team was lousy tonight, aside from the bullpen, payton, kendall, and bradley.
Agree on the team-wide lousiness
team-wide lousiness?!?
Payton: 2/4 with 2 2B
Bradley: 2/4 with 1 2B
Dead horse: Hmmm, let's see, what's the commonality among these 3 batters?
you're not right -- but they all are ...
but they all are ...
-Cindi
No "I" in team monkeyball!
Tigers are smarter than I gave them credit for...
I thought a key moment in this game was the bottom of the fourth, the three consecutive strikeouts by Chavez, Swisher and Scutaro, which again showed the Tiger's intelligence. They seemed to be aware of Chavez always trying too hard in clutch situations and Swisher's inability to recognize/lay off an offspeed pitch. Both got ahead in the counts -- Swisher up 2-0, Chavez 2-1, both clearly geared up for fastballs, and I noticed Robertson threw several consecutive sliders and/or off speed pitches in a row from behind in the count...only several pitches later when the count was back even did Robertson throw high heat up out of the zone to make Swish look foolish. So I think these guys are aware of the A's tendencies in a big way, and how to exploit them.
I always the one advantage the A's had was playing heads-up, smart baseball. I clearly have underestimated the Tigers who also seem to play very smart as well. More than anything, this worries me as talent-wise they are slightly better, and the perceived edge I thought we had I've now called into question.
I hear a lot of talk about 'regression to the mean' from time to time here at AN, well, as far as the RISP and GIDP problems the A's have (as we all know), the correction has certainly occurred from the previous ALDS. All we can hope for is the A's got it out of their system, and can get a few key hits tomorrow.
Oh and yeah, the fights. I was in 208 and there was one there and in 209 as well. Both involved loud Tiger's fans who were massively drunk. All I can say for A's fans is don't take the bait.
Game thoughts
- Agreed with Macha's decision in the 4th to leave Zito in as long as he did. He's shown plenty of times the ability to fix things after a streak of hits/runs. Tonight wasn't one of those nights. The Tigers must've figured out something after the first 8 were retired, because 6 of the next 13 got hits/walks.
- Wish Blanton was brought in in the 7th instead of Calero. If you're gonna use Blanton for long relief, save Calero for a 7th when a lead is on the line.
- Robertson did a pretty good job of scattering our hits and walks around. Reminded me of a bunch of Zito outings this year in his ability to dodge trouble.
- With 2nd and 3rd with 0 outs against a pitcher that's been doing well, the last people I want to see at bat are Chavez and Swisher. I even called the two-strike strategy to Swish. Nothing but off-speed.
- I know it's the bandwagon, but I kinda wish the stadium-wide Marco Scutaro chant would stop unless it's late and the game is closer. I'm of the opinion that there's only a finite amount of Marco mojo, and I want to maximize its usefulness. That and the crowd gets more disappointed each time he doesn't come through, which is what happens more likely statistically. That kinda pressure is not fair for him.
- Ominous signs - we lost what probably was our best pitching matchup of the series ... this could very likely be analogous to us beating Santana in the TerrorDome. Our team didn't really seem to wake up until after 7 ... the regular-season night start-time. Which Loaiza/Haren will we get in games 2 and 4? Will Harden be effective enough vs. the Gambler?
- Still trying to figure out the ump's strike zone ... he was calling the inside strike to righties, not calling the high strikes ...
- Foam fries had me wishing for the rally towels instead. They do look kinda orange and they're not firm enough to do much with.
- I'm resigned to being stuck with 'God Bless America' for every 7th inning stretch during the postseason. Is it unpatriotic of me to think that it's best saved for Memorial / Flag / 4th / Labor / 9-11 days only? It's not like we're New York City ...
- To the guy in the row behind me that thought it was amusing to yell out 'Polo' instead of 'Scutaro' ... yeah, you're a douchebag.
good observations....
Regarding (8) yes those foam fries were pretty pathetic. They just sort of bend over like a limp wet noodle and as you say are orange, not gold!
Regarding (6) Ominous signs yes but I guess I just start throwing out the tendencies and rather adopt a "put up or shut up" attitude as Frank Thomas says...if we're to advance, the A's will have the buck the trends of past history and come through in the clutch. That's what playoff baseball is about.
Prediction for Game 2
vr, Xei
by xeifrank @ Athletics Nation on Oct 10, 2006 11:51 PM PDT reply actions
fine and dandy, except
the marco scutaro chant...
i don't think it could be helping scutaro to have such high expectations placed on him every time he's batting.
Couldnt agree more...
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 12:12 AM PDT up reply actions
i was pretty sure this would happen
i don't think it will stop anytime soon, despite scutaro going 0 for 4 and ending three innings.
You;'re absolutely right. Wear it.
Nice call...
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 12:18 AM PDT up reply actions
interesting...
i'm reminded of a-rod, but of course in his case it's not chanting/cheering, but heckling/booing.
scutaro = the anti a-rod?
He is pretty much
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions
booing
by beijing on Oct 11, 2006 12:25 AM PDT reply actions
He got worse treatment in here....
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 12:34 AM PDT up reply actions
remarks online are different, i think
by beijing on Oct 11, 2006 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions
i heard plenty of booing the bleachers
i was surrounded by bandwagon-types with the baseball knowledge of angels fans. it was really quite horrible, pretty much every comment i heard made me cringe. many people were actually saying things like "zito isn't trying" or "why is he letting them get hits?"
so i think it may have just been naivete/stupidity and not being familiar with baseball customs and behavior.
i hope so
by beijing on Oct 11, 2006 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions
On the Bright Side
- All of the Tigers' runs came in the 3rd and 4th innings. There was about 30 minutes of the game where the A's played horribly. But before that, the A's shut them down. And after it, same thing.
- The A's bullpen looked sharp. Though they got into some 2 runner situations, they got the big outs. Gaudin and Kennedy pitched well. Calero got out of it. And Blanton looked solid and much improved over the end of the season. Blanton pitching well can only help us.
- Kendall and Payton were seemingly on base everytime. Bradley was a diving catch away from going 3-4. Kotsay and Chavez looked to be hitting the ball hard. Thomas and Swisher were both having some problems, but it's only Game 1. But yes, I agree that Scutaro was freaked by the chanting. They should stop.
- Detroit's bullpen seems overrated. The A's were hitting the ball hard off of them all night. Actually, I thought our bullpen was more impressive.
- Lou Pinella said: If the A's keep doing what they're doing, they'll get runs. It might not be this game, but it will happen.
- We have a veteran Cy Young runner-up going up against a very young guy with more attention on him than he's ever had before.
by Dann on Oct 11, 2006 12:47 AM PDT reply actions
Yet more remarks
by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 11, 2006 1:56 AM PDT reply actions
Thoughts from a seat in dead center...
- Zito, Zito, Zito... what can you say? He fell apart after that homer, but he was falling behind 1-0 on hitters all night. He has to be more aggressive on that first pitch, or at least locate it a bit better.
- Call me crazy, but if I'm in charge of MLB, and I'm picking umps for the postseason, I'd pick good ones. The plate ump today was horrid, putrid, gawdawful. I think I could've called balls and strikes more accurately by flipping a quarter. Hopefully the guy behind the plate tomorrow is not engaged in a cranial enema all night long...
- I've made this argument before, but I think a plate ump like that hurts us more than other teams. We're a team built on patience at the bat. Patience at the bat doesn't work when the strike zone changes with every pitch. A more aggressive team doesn't need as good of an ump...
- The bullpen was awesome, just awesome. Gaudin looked nasty; his performance under pressure makes me think he may make for a good starter next year.
- Was Payton out at first in the 8th? It looked like a weak call from my vantage point...
- Hopefully, they got all the bad mojo out tonight... I really, really, really hope that was the case.
Getting all the bad mojo out
By the seventh inning I was telling my buddy and anyone else in section 105 who could hear that the Tiggers weren't showing me much. We all know the A's are a much better team than they were tonight, and there's no way this kind of lightning is going to strike twice.
So they got the rust out, and they experienced all the jitters of an ALCS game, and they screwed up a lot but tomorrow's another day. The Tiggers have already gone further in the post-season than they had any right to expect, so they've got nothing to lose by playing loose and having fun. The A's expect to go on to the WS, so they're bearing down too hard. They just need to get loose and remember to have some fun.
They showed the replay in my section...
At least Kenny showed the balls to come out and argue for once.
Hey, also, I
Then I heard Detroit 3B Brandon Inge say on sportscenter that they were looking for certain patterns from Zito, perhaps confirming what I thought I understood Buan saying. Does anyone know whether there is merit to what I interpreted from Buan? Also, if there was, would it make sense to discuss and confirm it here in a public setting?
by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 11, 2006 2:52 AM PDT reply actions
we had to lose a game in the postseason
Hey folks....
by Catfish on Oct 11, 2006 3:54 AM PDT reply actions
Interesting
Actually, there are two correct questions. First, "Which teams won Game 1 in each of the last four American League Championship Series?" And also, "Which teams wound up losing each of the last four American League Championship Series?"
Don't count our guys out yet.
I also thought
LET'S GO OAK-LAND!!!
LET'S GO OAK-LAND!!!!
PATHETIC
by 3Chavy3 on Oct 11, 2006 7:37 AM PDT reply actions
What universe does that work in?
PATHETIC
by 3Chavy3 on Oct 11, 2006 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions
About expectations....
I guess that's why I watched the game last night with an unusual detachment - I just didn't want them to humiliate themselves, particularly in light of the constant praise heaped on the Tigers by the in-game announcers. I've decided that I'll be at peace with any outcome because I've loved this season and I've liked this particular team more than any in the past 10 or so years. I'm not going to place any high expectations on this that will leave me pissed, annoyed, angered or soul-sapped at the end.
That said, I had to remind myself last night that they haven't played since Friday afternoon and they all looked a little off except for the bullpen (and Blanton was just filthy - I really wonder if he didn't deserve a start in this).
Guys Guys Guys
We won't play that horridly in four games in a row, I guarantee you. This team won't go down without a fight.
Zito's blog comments...
The a's handcuffed themselves by losing game one. But neither of these teams could be described as excellent all things considered and neither side figures to have much margin for error in this series. The A's showed their worst side on Tuesday. But we'll probably see the September Tigers a couple times in the next week too.
Oakland Beat Themselves...Thats It...
But the A's failed to get the runners in. Macha failed to take Zito out when he obviously wasn't getting close calls which meant he didn't have his best stuff.
Zito faced 21 batters, 13 of those hitters he started out with a ball. He can't be starting that many hitters behind in the count.
Chavy should have made the play in the 3rd to keep the score at 1-0 and Jimenez obviously shouldn't have botched the throw to 1B on the double play. Poor defense.
Then the most obvious was them failing to get runners in when they had golden opportunities. I dont need to go over the GIDP and RISP numbers. But here is one that is fascinating. 6 out of the 9 innings, the A's had at least a runner on 2nd base with less than 2 outs. For them to only score once, that is bad. They must do a better job than that tonight.
Let's Go A's.
That is the best summary of last evening
by Sashulia on Oct 11, 2006 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Oh, hey, just a heads up
by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 11, 2006 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions
I missed everything after the fourth inning.
My only comment:
Where are all these crazy people coming from?
how is that lucky?
i think, like most crazy poeple, they were probably from missouri.
Hahahah, no, Kansas
by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 11, 2006 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Anyone else think...
"I like brownies."
http://athleticsnation.com/comments/2005/10/11/201234/62/80#80
It was 2 Es, not 1
by Sashulia on Oct 11, 2006 8:54 AM PDT reply actions
On Tigers' Patience
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