Ding Dong, The Streak is Dead

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 27, 2007 8:14 PM PDT in News Comment 93 comments

Things didn't look good on paper going into this game. You had to think that the A's were in trouble in the pitching matchup. DiNardo had a couple of rough outings the last few times out. Carmona had been good coming in.

But you know what they say about the darkest before the light? The A's had some of the best ABs they've had all year against Carmona, approaching this game like it was an elimination game in the World Series. Carmona helped out by getting so many of his pitches up, but for once the A's gladly obliged and smacked him around the yard. They went to the opposition field consistently and regularly, basically taking whatever the pitchers were giving them.

And while the A's middle relief tried to make things interesting...Colby Lewis gave up three runs and Dallas Braden gave up two, the A's didn't stop scoring runs. And the artist formerly known as Jairo Garcia closed the door. Imagine how good the pen would be if Calero, Street and Duke were all healthy and Casilla was pitching this way. One can only dream.

Congratulations to Jack Cust, who had five RBIs for the first time in his career and now leads the A's in home runs, despite playing about half the games of everyone else. Oh and Shannon Stewart has nine hits in this series and has raised his batting average .019 since the start of the series. Not to mention the fact that we can indeed get home runs from our catcher. Do you think there's any chance we can see Suzuki in the lineup a little more now considering he has two home runs in 13 ABs compared to the two home runs Kendall has hit in three seasons with the A's.

Eric Chavez seemed to wake up. I swear he just doesn't like being in the third or fourth spot in the lineup. Geren should always keep him in the fifth or sixth. He seems to relax and have much better ABs in that spot. It's like a mental weight is lifted off his shoulders. The problem with that is that the A's don't really have anyone who is really a three or four hole guy. Yeah, Swisher is a good third hitter. Maybe Buck will grow into that guy. Or maybe Jack Cust's carriage will never turn into a pumpkin and he'll be a permanent fixture there.

I'm just glad that the five game losing streak ended. For a little while there, I thought the game was going to get interesting, but thankfully, the offense didn't let that happen. I'm not going to declare that our offense was lost in baggage claim between Oakland/New York/Cleveland and the good folks over at Feel Great Airlines just found it and returned it. It's just good to see it make its way to the Ohio at long last.

Oh and make sure you set your alarms tomorrow as the A's and Indians bang heads at 9 a.m. PST. Maybe that will help keep the offense going. Smokin' June Blanton takes the mound. He's been awesome in June so far and the A's could use another one of those starts to make sure that the trip continues in the right direction.

Ding dong, the streak is dead. Hallelujah!

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Some of our Knee-grows played well tonight.

Billy must be pissed.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jun 27, 2007 8:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh and we gained a game on the Angels

YEEEESSSSSSSS!!!

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 27, 2007 8:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Chavez

Made some huge adjustments to his swing in this game. He looked like he was actually landing softly on his front foot and his swing was more balanced as a result. He didn't look like he was flailing at outside pitches either, it was nice and smooth, no reaching.

"Look at this, OK? I want you to remember this face. This is the guy behind the guy behind the guy."

by baseb3383 on Jun 27, 2007 8:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Looked as if he was thinking left field

on everything.

Not sure about what adjusted what, but I think you nailed it.

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA. "Philadelphia Athletics" will sound great.

by One won lost won on Jun 27, 2007 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good wrap Blez

I agree agree and agree. Chavez just looks more comfortable in the fifth or sixth spots. Cust just keeps going - I happened to listen to the first two innings on XM, and the Cleveland radio guys couldn't believe that he hadn't been on anyone's major league roster before the A's traded for him. He is certainly one of, if not the best story of the year for the A's. Personally, when the relievers are healthy, I like Casilla in the 7th, Duke in the 8th, and Street in the 9th. That leaves Calero for the all purpose position.

by IndianaAsfan on Jun 27, 2007 8:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with IndianaAsfan Blez

very elegant wrap, "touched 'em all" as they say, and I agree Cust is the story of the year.

Watching the game, I caught all the Athletics home runs when they were hit, which is a nice turnaround from yesterday. ======>> the 9th inning walkoff. At least I turned that off the tube before the guy circled the bases!

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA. "Philadelphia Athletics" will sound great.

by One won lost won on Jun 27, 2007 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could have been 11 out but now only 8 out...

repeat of the other thread but there is a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE difference between those numbers. No way we could have imagined the Royals lessening the degree of our losing. Thanks to them.

"I still believe in 2007!"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 27, 2007 8:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh Please!!

Can we now see more of Suzuki!!! Pretty please!

by elephantman on Jun 27, 2007 8:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The pitching scares me though,

especially any time someone other than Dan Haren or Joe Blanton takes the ball these days. Pretty much everyone short of those two and Casilla has been shaky lately.

Nice to see Stewart shut some of his critics up because other than some shoddy defense I don't know what they have to complain about. It's also nice to have a guy like him with his speed towards the top of the lineup.

Cust is Cust, nice to see something other than a solo shot as well.

Suzuki definitely warranted increased playing time with his performance tonight.

Whodathunkit that Ellis would have the worst night offensively out of everyone?

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jun 27, 2007 8:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Did you know that eight of Cust's

13 home runs have been with men on base?

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 27, 2007 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AHA! So you ADMIT

that 5 of them haven't! No further questions, your honor. Actually, no questions.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 27, 2007 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should've clarified

I meant in general during this run of poor baseball extending back to the last homestand.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jun 27, 2007 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whew

That was nice.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me why exactly Colby Lewis is not only still around but being brought in quite often. I know we're short in the pen these days, but wouldn't anyone else be better? Komine, Windsor, Meyer, HALSEY??? I suspect there is a good answer, but I can't find it by myself. Perhaps I am just sore that I decided to go to Shea instead of Yankerstad this year and that I chose Friday and Sunday as the days to go <shudder>.

But here is the most amazing thing, and a point that I think you missed, Blez: At the conclusion of this game, the Oakland A's have 6 out of 9 starters with BAs over .270!!! When is the last time THAT happened? I know. Amazing.

by broaklyn on Jun 27, 2007 8:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Lewis: He retired 24 straight

crashing down to earth now... But I trust him more than anyone but Casilla and Embree.

by mikeA on Jun 27, 2007 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't feel that way about Lewis

I think the consecutive retired streak was a fluke and that the real Colby Lewis has shown up the rest of the time. He's always been a bad pitcher before and he has been Lugo-level dreadful on either side of the streak. He should be strictly mop-up, IMO...as should pretty much everyone we trot out there these days, unfortunately. But I'd pitch Flores and Marshall ahead of him; not Lugo or Braden.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 27, 2007 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Loogy before Lugo

by theblackpearl on Jun 27, 2007 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

(Except after Seanez)

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 27, 2007 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flores is a legitimate point

He is probably better. Marshall is great against lefties and horrendous against righties, so they're not really in competition.

I'm not really trying to say that Lewis is any sort of answer for the bullpen, but I think he's basically adequate, and adequacy is not in abundance at this point. Even with your policy, he will pitch in some important situations (behind (or I guess in front of) Embree, Casilla, Flores)) and that shouldn't be a problem.

I think it's still something of an open question whether in this case a bad starter can be turned into a good reliever.

by mikeA on Jun 27, 2007 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My God!

You're right!

It's strange. I watched every game of that boston series and I guess it was his May 22nd start that stuck in my mind. Then I saw him here in NY and felt a certain amount of hostility towards him.

Nevertheless, his line in his last five appearances (of which he has not NOT given up at least one run) is: 5.2IN 15H 5BB 11ER 2K 2HR.

I say send him back. Give Komine a shot. Komine has got the kind of stuff that I think would be good in the bullpen. I think he would throw off the timing of hitters that just saw Haren, Blanton or Gaudin. Anyway, I wasn't asking a question so I could immediately disagree and state my own opinion like an ass (whoops), so what do you all think of Colby Lewis?

by broaklyn on Jun 27, 2007 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree about Chavez hitting down in the lineup

The experiment, now in about its fifth or sixth year, of having Chavez hit in the 3 or 4 spot in the lineup needs to be permanently terminated. I don't care about his contract. He was in the 5 spot tonight; I would actually move him down to 6 and just leave him there. I think we would all be pretty happy with his Gold Glove fielding and his respectable RBI total if we chose not to burden him with the expectation that he should perform like a cleanup hitter. The A's need to use other guys in the heart of the order. With Chavez at 6 and Crosby at 7...we might actually start to like the left side of our infield again.

Because it's a feel-good night, and the cartoon was referenced in the game thread, and I haven't seen it posted for a while...presented for your enjoyment when you have 7 minutes or so, here's "Baseball Bugs":

by Soaker on Jun 27, 2007 8:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Would normally

totally agree but his defense this year has been decidedly not gold glove caliber. Several plays this trip alone that we've seen him make routinely that have not been called errors but that he did not get.

by sslinger on Jun 27, 2007 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be really interested to see

the breakdown on Chavez' BA against lefties rated among the top half of the league and lefties rated among the bottom half. Obviously you'd expect any hitter to do better against worse pitchers, but my take on Chavez is that he maintains his decent (if that) stats against LHP by raking against the bottom of the barrel and is totally overmatched by the decent to good ones. He looked great tonight, but look who he was facing--not Sabathia, not Lee, not a team's LOOGY. Hmm...

Why was Casilla in? Seriously, I know it felt "too close for comfort" but we had a 6-run lead, we have no good relievers, Casilla threw 30 pitches yesterday, and we have a quick turnaround to Thursday's game. We wouldn't rather have had him available tomorrow, when he would have been but now won't be? A bit odd, I thought.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 27, 2007 8:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I could think of 2 reasons. 1, this was his 3rd

day in a row, so he wouldn't be available tomorrow anyway, and 2, Geren felt this was a "must win".

by theblackpearl on Jun 27, 2007 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rest him today and he's available tomorrow,

as it would have been two days on, one day off. If he could pitch three in a row, surely he could pitch three out of four instead! And as for a "must win" you either trust Flores, Marshall, etc. with a 6 run lead or they shouldn't be on the team. It was nowhere near a save situation; it was a blowout that had briefly become a little closer and did not, IMO, warrant using Casilla.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 27, 2007 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

plus you have Blanton going tomorrow, so you have

Joe for 7 Marshall, and Flores, the Embree, although that is 3 straight lefties

by theblackpearl on Jun 27, 2007 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Am I supposed to be comforted

by the thought that we have Marshall, Flores, and Embree as our options tomorrow?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 27, 2007 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well I read the ANtics, and Joe will pitch all

the innings

by theblackpearl on Jun 27, 2007 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

sending out Casilla was a bad move. Hope it doesn't hurt us tomorrow.

by mikeA on Jun 27, 2007 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well,

I agree with blackpearl for the most part (leaving aside the rest issue). Geren probably (and reasonably) thought he had to stop the slide, since consecutive losses are increasingly demoralizing, and to lose this game, after the lead the A's had, would have magnified the demoralization. He went to his surest thing.

You might trust Flores, Marshall, etc., with a 6-run lead ordinarily, while still wanting to go with your surest bet in a game that could well have got out of hand -- with potentially disastrous consequences for the team's confidence.

Plus, don't forget Geren's got old Iron-Arm starting tomorrow. I'm sure that was a factor.

by el campysino on Jun 27, 2007 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

looking ahead

I think Geren was thinking of the series against the Yankees this weekend, and how we might need Casilla against them. In that case, he knows he's gonna rest Casilla on Thursday no matter what, so that Casilla can go three days in a row if necessary Fri-Sat-Sun. Working backwards from the rest day tomorrow, he might as well use Casilla today to lock up the win.

by sec119 on Jun 28, 2007 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

mikeA and Shannon Stewart

have reached a period of detente. May it last.

by mikeA on Jun 27, 2007 8:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping Crosby and I can reach that level

and I would be happy if it were very soon. Stewart was not someone most were relying on this year but Crosby is a completely different story. Hope the night off helped him a bit.

"I still believe in 2007!"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 27, 2007 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it did--

by my count, it was the first time in weeks Crosby didn't chase a slider down and away.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 27, 2007 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, regular rest and "contemplative" time.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 27, 2007 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

only mikeA could go to China

I guess that makes me Doctor K, eh?

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 27, 2007 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

mikeA

wishes to make a "Dr K" joke about Stewart and a different Dr. K than you meant.

However, the Dr. K you were speaking of croaked, in his inimitable croaking croak, that I ought not violate the terms of this detente.

It would be salutary if the two Doctors K were in for a meeting.

by mikeA on Jun 27, 2007 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really thought for a second that you said ...

... Kissinger had died.

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 27, 2007 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He hasn't yet

but he will when he sees what Hamas have done with his Peace prize.

by green star oakland on Jun 27, 2007 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

where would the A's be

without the castoffs from the other teams like Cust, Stew, Go-Dan, Lenny Dinero?

Amazing that the four castoffs are probably more valuable than the high price tag Kotsay Chavez and Kendall

I guess that's what makes the team (and all the other Oakland area teams) unique

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Jun 27, 2007 8:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd really just like to see ...

... a regular, night-in/night-out 7-9 of Chavez-Crosby-Suzuki. Heck, to alternate L/R, Crosby-Chavez-Suzuki. By the end of the season, Suzuki-Chavez-Crosby.

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 27, 2007 8:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree those spots

reflect where those guys belong, but what exactly is your 1-6? It's not as if Stewart or Ellis is a #3 hitter or as if Dan Johnson is hitting for the power you expect from a 1Bman...What's your 1-6 if Chavez, Crosby, and Suzuki hit 7-9?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 27, 2007 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

good points

Barton 1B
Buck RF/LF
Cust DH
Swisher CF/RF
Stewart/Kotsay LF/CF
Ellis 2B

If we refuse to call Barton up and play DJ:

Buck RF/LF
Ellis 2B
Cust DH
Swisher CF/RF
Stewart/Kotsay LF/CF
Johnson 1B

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 27, 2007 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think with this team

we need to get over this whole traditional notion of 3rd and 4th hitter. What does it mean anyway? Except for in the 1st inning, when the 3rd guy is guaranteed to hit after 2 others have had a chance?

If we had Jose Reyes I could see the point of the 1st hitter assigned to someone in particular. But the fact is, we have no remarkable speed, and we have no reliable, predictable source of power. Lineup construction is a moot point for this club. I say stack the order 1-9 based on the last three years of OBP, period, done. Give the most ABs to the guys most likely to get on.

I don't know what kind of psychological impact it has on a player to be "batting 3rd", or "batting 7th," but if it takes a weight off Chavez to bat anywhere but 3rd or 4th, then great, and tell everyone else to get over it. What matters is the AB right now, the situation right now. You could meticulously construct the most well-though out lineup ever and still end up with the 9 guy in a position to get your team into the playoffs at the end. Who cares?

by broaklyn on Jun 27, 2007 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

for the most part, I agree -- for all teams

Yeah, I'm pretty much down with the "batting order is irrelevant" argument -- with the exception that you want your best hitters in the 1-6 spots, if only to maximize the number of times they come to the plate. And the corollary, that you want to minimize the number of times your worst hitters come to the plate. Hence, Cros-Chavvy-Suzuki 7-9 (not that I think Zuke is one of the worst hitters on the team, just subscribing to the "bat the rook C low to minimize pressure/expectations and keep his mind on defense"; I'd bat Barton leadoff because he's going to have high expectations no matter what, and he should by all accounts be an OBP machine).

I actually think that the A's roster as conceptualized by Beane recently does require some careful ordinal (though not, as you point out, cardinal) sequencing: you never, ever want Kotsay or Kendall or Johnson batting behind Swisher or Cust, for example. Which, of course, I just realized I violated above.

< shrugs >

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 27, 2007 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Irrelevant

Well, I don't think it's irrelevant, I just think it is for this team. The more I look at the numbers, the more I think, "what the hell difference does it make?"

I feel like the 3-5 spots require power maxim is a downer for us when it means Chavvy is always called upon for some role he seems to not relish. If you look carefully at his face, he seems to be saying, "why can't I just flash my gold glove around, be cute and quiet, and hit like Alex Gonzalez? No one expects Alex to be offensive dynamite."

Lineup certainly mattered last year when we had FT. Although I think he should have been batting 3rd instead of 4th just to not have to watch the inevitable walk-clog-base-bath to lead off the 2nd routine.

And I do believe in relieving the pressure on the rookies even the A's clearly do not. But batting Buck lead-off is good for that, I think, because he gets it out of the way and out of his head first thing. Plus, he's been good enough to go first.

by broaklyn on Jun 27, 2007 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was nice for our offense to come up

when our pitching is questionable.

Great win for the A's.

Hopefully this starts a superwinningstreak for the A's and a superslump for Analheim and Shittle.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 27, 2007 8:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

can it really be this simple?

I've been keeping an undisciplined eye lately on something that occurred to me earlier in the season: that quite regularly, the team that has more XBHs wins the game.

I've done some Googling, and haven't found anything studying correlation of wins and XBHs (akin to the Pythagorean Theorem of RA/RS). Are any of the more sabermetrically inclined familiar with anything out in the ether like this?

If not, I'm claiming it as the Monkeyball Axiom: (2Bs + HRs) vs (2Bs + HRs allowed) -> W/L. (I'd think that you 'd want to eliminate 3Bs because they often reflect unrecorded errors, random events, park effects, and outlier speed factors.)

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 27, 2007 8:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd think

you'd want to leave out 3B because of our record with lead off triples this season somehow turning into a scoreless inning.

by broaklyn on Jun 27, 2007 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that, and because they're essential to cycles

< /Cotroneo >

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 27, 2007 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is good

Keeping the metrics simple.

It reminds me of last year at playoff time hearing BB on the radio right before the Detroit series when he declared that the team that hit the ball over the fence more would win the series. HR=XBH, I guess, so you and Beane think alike.

by broaklyn on Jun 27, 2007 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What makes me question that...

is that 3 of the 5 top HR-hitting teams this season are the Reds (#1 with 110 HR), the Rangers (#3 with 99) and the D-Rays (#5 with 92). OTOH, the Reds are 29th in doubles, the Rays are 20th and Texas is 17th.

Can't quickly find doubles allowed...but in HR allowed, the Rays are #1, the Rangers are #4, the Reds are #17th.

There have been a lot of really bad teams over the years that hit a lot of home runs. I'm sure your r-squared would be positive, but maybe not as high as you think. I'd try to plow through some of the data, but, ugh, Econ 141 (Econometrics) is 25 years in the past.

by Soaker on Jun 27, 2007 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

excellent points

I think, though, that when you add doubles hit into the mix, it corrects for the HR-happy teams/parks -- and even when you hit a lot of HRs, if your park/staff allow a lot of HRs, then you're spinning your wheels.

But, yeah, as for the strength of the correlation, I just don't know. As I said, I'm an undisciplined monkey. It's an uneducated guess.

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 27, 2007 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, Retrosheet has doubles surrendered

Using the 2006 A's as an example:

Offense: 266 2B, 175 HR = 441 2B+HR
Allowed: 289 2B, 162 HR = 451 2B+HR

Uh-oh, looks like a team at or below .500. Of course, the A's were 93-69 last year. I could check a whole bunch of numbers but I don't like the direction of this already.

by Soaker on Jun 27, 2007 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I seriously doubt

that this formula would improve upon team OPS, and team OPS is plenty simple.

I also think (don't know whether you were implying this)(also don't know if this is true) that doubles are a different beast than HRs. Doubles are the province of either high-BA guys (high GB/LD%) or top 2% hitters, which are obviously hard to come by.

by mikeA on Jun 27, 2007 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I honestly have no idea

I don't doubt that you're correct. I'm just guessing.

If the correlation holds at all, though, I think it'd be a pretty simple rule of thumb -- more simple than a rate stat.

I'm not even sure whether I'm arguing in aggregate (a la Pythagorean), or on a per-game basis (a la ... well, runs; actually I guess that would be the simplest rule of thumb of all, wouldn't it?).

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 27, 2007 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any Coincidence?

Any coincidence that we have an offensive explosion on the day that Kendall, Kotsay, and Crosby all sit? I'll take their replacements any day ...

by Crosbino on Jun 27, 2007 8:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

heh heh heh.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 27, 2007 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no and i hope...

they get the message. time to produce or they get more pine.

by oak1 on Jun 27, 2007 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I know Crosby has power, but I really do wonder how damaging all the double plays he hits into are to the offense; I pray that he strikes out every time he is up. I want to see Scutaro played more often and Crosby less.

Also, Suzuki will fall back down to Earth eventually, but I'd take his bat and defense at the expense of Kendall's game-calling and grit any day of the week.

by Threepwood XX on Jun 27, 2007 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You guys and your Crosby hate colored glasses

Scoot has grounded into 7 DP's while Crosby has hit into 8, with well over 100 more AB's. I am not saying Crosby is great, but he is MILES, and MILES better than Scutaro, except for the occasional 9th inning walk off.

by theblackpearl on Jun 27, 2007 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Miles and Miles

I used to think that Crosby and Scutaro were "Miles and Miles" apart, but really, they're only a couple feet apart. Both players are awful starting SS's.

by Colorado Fan on Jun 28, 2007 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well if we are talking about the A's, we must

talk about the injury update. Kielty went 1-2 with a walk as a DH, but Daric Barton left the game in the 5th inning, after going 2-3 with a HR, so either he will be in NY, or he got hurt. The score was only 8-3 so I don't think it was for rest.

by theblackpearl on Jun 27, 2007 9:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I vote for "abducted by aliens"

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 27, 2007 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

now you have

everyone looking for news on Barton

my guess would be he's coming

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Jun 27, 2007 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No updates yet?

The suspense is killing me.

"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Jun 27, 2007 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

(sets up coffee for rest of nighwatch

awaiting updates, drives to all night market for carton of cigarettes, places pillow on computer desk chair)

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 27, 2007 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AHHHHHHHHHH

by mikeA on Jun 27, 2007 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't it Blanton that

can't win when it's still daylight out? Is it still dark in Ohio at 9am in the summer? Or do they have a retractable dome we can close?

It's almost like winning twice when you beat the Angels." -- Milton Bradley

by Elvez on Jun 27, 2007 9:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kielty Question

Ok, so Kielty isn't that great a player, and he certainly isn't better than any of our outfielders right now ... but on the other hand, Billy loves him and he's rehabbing now with an eye to return on July 1.

So what's going to happen with him? If he comes up, who goes down? And do we need him? I know he's not really tradeable, but do we just DFA him?

by Crosbino on Jun 27, 2007 9:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well he is white, so we know he won't get D'dFA,

but I think he can still be optioned outright to Sacramento. We still have Melillo on the roster right, so Bobby can take over that spot.

by theblackpearl on Jun 27, 2007 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

KENDALL HAS GOT TO GO

look what suzuki can do!

Lets go Oakland! Check out my blog:http://sportsrus33.blogspot.com/

by bballfanr33 on Jun 27, 2007 9:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Question:

Could Jack Cust win the comeback player award? There doesn't seem to be an award for players who go from nothing to something.

He's not going to try to kill you, I'm just going to try to doink you. -Rex Hudler

by JediLeroy on Jun 27, 2007 9:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not a Hex

We went to the game tonight and the A's finally won, so my personal responsibility for the bad road trip feels closed. Great game, it was wonderful to get out early, but after last night and with the Indians making a comeback it never felt secure. And the local fans let us know it. But for the record, I have to give huge props to the Cleveland fans - everyone we met, fans, ushers, vendors - were all nice and while there was good-natured ribbing about us being in the wrong place, etc. when they learned we were from the Bay and here to see the baseball they were all totally appreciative that we were baseball fans and there for our team. The people sitting next to us even gave us passses to get up to the terrace lounge (equivalent of westside club only exclusive) so we could hang out for the rain delay. Totally awesome.

by sslinger on Jun 27, 2007 10:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Cool!

Were you rockin' your gold throwback Saenz jersey? I just bought the same gold jeresey, btw, but not Saenz.

"It is very important while building a toy of chaos to include a light." - margret@live-evil.com

by McFood on Jun 27, 2007 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not the Saenz

just a faded green A's t-shirt with an A's cap. Good memory though! Last night I wore the Eck shirt they gave out on AN Day 2 (OK, I guess it was officially the retire his number day) and I got pigeon poop on it. Someone said that was supposedly good luck, but 'fraid not.

by sslinger on Jun 27, 2007 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Barton tears a ....................

Daric tore a contact lense. Thats probably why he was pulled early today. I saw it on the Rivercats website.

SORRY ! I was excited too !

Plus DJ actually has starting hitting alittle better on the roadtrip. I am sure he is hearing footsteps.

" Small World, Big Island"

by thebabe on Jun 27, 2007 11:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

DJ

I want DJ to go on a tear...to increase his trade value before the deadline.

But if he does no one will want to trade him and we'll be stuck with him...

by Threepwood XX on Jun 28, 2007 3:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NIce win, bitches!!!

Fire Sale.

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Jun 28, 2007 2:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

From AP Recap

A's rough up Carmona, snap five-game skid

Oakland manager Bob Geren probably wishes he gave his ballclub a pep talk sooner.
Geren briefly spoke to his team and the Athletics responded with a 13-7 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night that snapped a five-game losing streak.

Was that really the first "pep talk" that Geren had given this season? I get that he's mellow yellow, but maybe he needs to be proactive about these "pep talks". Wait, wasn't this the same problem with Howe and Macha....

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Jun 28, 2007 5:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why would he have needed a "pep talk" before

now? Until this losing streak they were 8 games over .500. The players had called there own meeting, but it was cancelled for some reason. So Geren decided to speak to the team. He has done almost everything correct this whole season, with all the injuries.

by theblackpearl on Jun 28, 2007 7:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just surprised no pep talk

earlier in the streak

Just worried he'll be too laisez-faire and not "manage" the team's emotions enough.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Jun 28, 2007 8:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lots of "Pep Talks" Suck

Just ask players who play for Ozzie Guillen.

Great time for a Pep Talk, though. Good Job, BG.

by Colorado Fan on Jun 28, 2007 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if Geren is mellow yellow ...

... I guess that would explain why Beane ascribes to "if it's brown, flush it down" ...

But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 28, 2007 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

any word on Bradley status?

Sorry if this has been asked / answered before - I can't keep up sometimes, but aren't we close, if not past the 10 day rule for Bradley? Anyone know what the status is - is he now a FA?

Mike "lego my" Gallego

by catfish hunter on Jun 28, 2007 7:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs