Musings ...

Just a few thoughts on our A's before Cupcakes takes the mound tonight:

Was it just me, or was all of AN thinking "Don't run, just stand there ... please" when Big Frank hit the double play ball last night in the eighth inning.  Two on, one out in a close game, and all I could think was "Don't hurt yourself, big guy - it ain't worth it."

It's August now, and pitchers are breaking down and running out of gas all around both leagues.  We've got three big, young horses (Blanton, Zito and Haren) that just seem to be hitting their stride.  Maybe bats are coming through the zone just a bit slower in the dog days of summer and the big-framed, young studs are just warming up.  It's as if the finely tuned race cars need a break, but the big old American v-12 trucks are hitting the open road ...

which brings us to our own (and only) finely tuned racecar, Rich Harden.  Could it be a blessing that he has been in the shop so long?  Has anyone noticed, after so much chatter about his return in May and June, that there has been almost none in July?  Could he be quietly rounding back into form?  Will we get our flamethrower back by Sept. 1? ...

and, if so, in what capacity.  He'd be a perfect closer, and Huston has been serving up some beach balls lately.  Even when he doesn't get beat, it seems like he gets hit hard.  Even when he doesn't get hit hard, he seems to throw some awfully fat pitches.

What about Bradley?  The guy is as insecure as a bulemic teenager, but he can play.  He needs AN, Mark Kotsay, Thomas, Chavy and anyone else to stroke him.  Maybe we should take Mychael Urban out and humiliate him, just as a sign of solidarity with Milton.  We need you Milton.  We want you.  We love you.  Your act isn't tired.  Now get out there and make us cheer for you.

Chavy isn't quite the second coming of Ghandi that A's management thinks he is, but once again he tells it like it is.  He says "I can't hit" and he stinks at the plate.  He says "I'm feeling better" and he goes on a 9 game hitting streak.  But regardless of what you think of his heart, recognize that we are all experiencing the unique treat of watching the best third baseman in the history of baseball field his position.  Sorry, Brooks - no contest.

Maybe Bobby Crosby will not turn it around and start hitting, but I think our offense could be one man's hitting streak away from being a juggernaut.  I don't think Frank Thomas has gotten hot yet, and if he does he can carry the offense like no one else since Bonds '03.

The wild card, once conceded to the Central division runner-up, is anyone's guess.  It feels like there is a chance that the Twins win the central, and I wouldn't be too surprised if the wild card came from the West.

There is a lot of baseball to play, but right now the Angels look better than the Red Sox.  The A's look better than the Yankees.  The Tigers look better than the Chisox.  And the Twins look better than everybody.