Athletics Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Open Game Thread: Game 79 - A's at New York

Banana_album_041907_tiny by monkeyball on in News

I think we’re all agreed that (per Geren’s deployment of Casilla for 2 innings on Wednesday) there really aren’t any “must-win” games, or series, in June. And I personally am in the camp that doesn’t really believe in “momentum” in baseball, neither in-game nor game-to-game. And given the condition of the A’s roster, simply remaining competitive against top teams is an achievement. And the Yankees are scuffling nearly as badly as the A’s right now.

All that being said, however … I have an ominous feeling about this series, starting with the pitching matchup tonight.

Despite the fact that Mussina is having a down year, he’s still a very smart pitcher who, if his control is on, can effectively pitch to hitters’ weaknesses. And, boy, do A’s hitters have some weaknesses—especially against Mussina. A’s starters are a collective .234/.271/.430 vs Moose—and Crosby has never faced him. (Stewart, oddly enough, has pretty decent career numbers vs Mussina; take Stewart out of the equation, and the A’s lineup is a collectively Kendallesque .212/.243/.404 against Mussina.)

Meanwhile, Kennedy has some fugly career numbers against Jeter and Posada (and has been getting murdered by righties all this year), while he’s been pretty successful against the Yanks’ current lefties.

Then again, it’s baseball, and anything can happen.

Lineups:

A’s

Stewart LF
Kotsay CF
Swisher RF
Cust DH
Chavez 3B
Ellis 2B
Johnson 1B
Crosby SS
Kendall C

New York

Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Matsui LF
Rodriguez 3B
Posada DH
Abreu RF
Phillips 1B
Cano 2B
Nieves C

0 recs | Comment 309 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Display:

home from work early

<sets timer for game time, takes nap>

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

by ak_A on Jun 29, 2007 3:15 PM PDT   0 recs

how about some good reverse mojo...

ugh!  Kotsay, Crosby & Kendall all in the lineup.

These friggin' unclutch losers will never, ever win another game! Ever!

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 29, 2007 3:16 PM PDT   0 recs

Kennedy's turn again, eh?

Feels like we are on borrowed time.  Let's hit the bejesus out of the ball tonight.  

"I still believe in 2007!"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 29, 2007 3:18 PM PDT   0 recs

Swish OK to play

yay!

by oak1 on Jun 29, 2007 3:24 PM PDT   0 recs

AHHHHH!!
"Kots went yard. With a pink bat. Stud."

by Jennifer on Jun 29, 2007 3:25 PM PDT   0 recs

I really want to know

why the hell Geren is batting Kotsay 2nd, and why Suzuki has been exiled to Melhuseland?

by Zonis on Jun 29, 2007 3:30 PM PDT   0 recs

as to the second question, I have no idea

As to the first ... well, Crosby, Kendall, Kotsay, Chavez, Stewart, Ellis (to be frank), and DJ are all "7-9 hitters." Someone has to bat in front of and immediately behind Swish and Cust.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 29, 2007 3:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and the fact that ...

... 78% of our starting lineup is 7-9 hitters should be demonstrable evidence that it would take more than one good new bat to improve the offense < cough > mdl <cough>

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

by monkeyball on Jun 29, 2007 4:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Basic arithmetic, Monkeyball

No, 2 plus 1 does not equal 10, but it's still more than 2.

Are you arguing that incremental improvements are worthless if they don't solve all our problems?

"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Jun 29, 2007 4:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

basically, yes

Upgrading the offense incrementally at one position and one position only won't appreciably improve the offense as a whole, and would likely cost far more than we should pay for such a minor upgrade, hurting us in the pocketbook and in future cost flexibility and on-field talent level.

I think the offense is a major problem -- but it's not one we can afford to fix for '07. We need at least 2 plus bats (legit "3-5 hitters") right now to have a consistently good offense. "Upgrading" to a Loretta at SS isn't part of that.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 29, 2007 5:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Scuffle = the new gawdawful sports buzzword

These are scufflers:

This is a bunch of self-important, overpaid losers:

And yes, I do hope our boys are in as foul a mood (except Chavvie) as I.  

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 29, 2007 3:33 PM PDT   0 recs

Why is it called
"The 60 Day DL" when it could just be called "The Snelling"?
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 29, 2007 3:43 PM PDT   0 recs

Snelling to the 60 Day DL,,,,

he only got scratched on the knee!!!

by Zonis on Jun 29, 2007 4:01 PM PDT   0 recs

We are dead

If we dont take at least 3 of these against the Yanks we are dead.  We need to start winning.  Its june for crying out loud, this shouldnt be happening.

by Claudius8110 on Jun 29, 2007 4:04 PM PDT   0 recs

Or even more

why stop at three - let's stay a whole week, kick their asses twice a day.  Force MLB to have doubleheaders.   Knee A-rod in the nads!   Vomit on the putrid soul of cash & carry economic mode of Stienbrenerian-imperialistic servility.  

by MobiusKlein on Jun 29, 2007 4:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And the Dee Brown era begins
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Jun 29, 2007 4:10 PM PDT   0 recs

angel hernandez an ump in this series? we lose!
that guy hates the a's or something......

by greendatitiz on Jun 29, 2007 4:10 PM PDT   0 recs

51 hours-

that's how long this game is going to take to play.

"Kots went yard. With a pink bat. Stud."

by Jennifer on Jun 29, 2007 4:13 PM PDT   0 recs

Hi everyone. Just getting the game up

what have I missed so far?

by kapers on Jun 29, 2007 4:13 PM PDT   0 recs

WHA?
"Kots went yard. With a pink bat. Stud."

by Jennifer on Jun 29, 2007 4:15 PM PDT   0 recs

that strike call? incredible!
subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 29, 2007 4:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If you have to hesitate

to make the swing call as a home plate ump, you gotta wait and get help.  Bad technique.

Watt Funk Staturist

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 29, 2007 4:17 PM PDT   0 recs

Cust hit a ball in the air

and it didn't go out...

I'm shocked.

by Zonis on Jun 29, 2007 4:21 PM PDT   0 recs

Congrats Melky,

you're wearing one in the helmet next AB.

by Zonis on Jun 29, 2007 4:21 PM PDT   0 recs

ANOTHER bunt...

pop out...

by Zonis on Jun 29, 2007 4:22 PM PDT   0 recs

Jeter fundy-grit points take a huge hit!

Popping up the bunt after Melky just showed how really bunting is done.

Watt Funk Staturist

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 29, 2007 4:23 PM PDT   0 recs

Kendall looks evil...

even more so now that he's bald...

by Zonis on Jun 29, 2007 4:23 PM PDT   0 recs

Kendall's looking quite the Road Warrior

with that Manson-in-prison haircut he's sporting.

Watt Funk Staturist

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 29, 2007 4:24 PM PDT   0 recs

He looks like the Road Warrior

But he hits like Mrs. Doubtfire

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Jun 29, 2007 4:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fuck....

you know the drill

by Zonis on Jun 29, 2007 4:30 PM PDT   0 recs

entirely predictable

Kennedy vs RHs this year: 8 HR, 26 BB, 27 K, 1.60 WHIP, .309 AVG

So far as I can tell, Kennedy should really be a LOOGY. If Beane can bamboozle someone into buying him as a starting pitcher, I will once again be awed by Billy's mojo.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 29, 2007 4:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and ...

Posada lifetime vs Kennedy: 11/27, 6 2B

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

by monkeyball on Jun 29, 2007 4:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you could see that coming
subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 29, 2007 4:31 PM PDT   0 recs

WHY ISN'T SUZUKI IN THE LINEUP?!?!?!?!

ARRRRRRGHGHGHGGGHH!!!

<throws computer out the window>
<jumps off Golden Gate Bridge>

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

by lenscrafters on Jun 29, 2007 4:32 PM PDT   0 recs

Indeed

in fact, all those blowout we sat through with KME in effect, they would have scored 15 with any other catcher.  And you can not prove me wrong!@ neener

by MobiusKlein on Jun 29, 2007 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Shannon Stewart

showing off that... um... well, he didn't try to get the ball and he didn't try to throw it...

Is he doing a Ben Grieve impression?

by Zonis on Jun 29, 2007 4:32 PM PDT   0 recs

Is tomorrow's game being carried Nationally?

I mean it is a Sat and it is the Yankees.  They're on every other frigging Saturday.

by kapers on Jun 29, 2007 4:32 PM PDT   0 recs

Nah, just on KICU.
The hell if I know.

by pam5981 on Jun 29, 2007 4:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's weird, isn't it?

Game is during the blanket reserved Fox timespan of 1 PM EDT through 4 PM PDT?  Usually that'd be reserved for Fox national only, and we'd be out of luck entirely here.

Watt Funk Staturist

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 29, 2007 4:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Turns out pitchers who
can't get righties out don't make good starters. Who knew?
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 29, 2007 4:35 PM PDT   0 recs

i didn't. (scratches head in wonder)
subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 29, 2007 4:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

as I said above ...

If Beane can bamboozle someone into buying Kennedy as a starting pitcher, I will once again be awed by Billy's mojo.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 29, 2007 4:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He better move fast

JK value is plummeting with every inning started.

Watt Funk Staturist

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 29, 2007 4:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Beane? Wait too long to trade someone? Nahhhh
But just because something can be plotted on an X and Y axis does not make it the whole truth. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 29, 2007 4:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

there is just nothing enjoyable about this team

right now.

"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on Jun 29, 2007 4:39 PM PDT   0 recs

if DJ has a good series maybe the Yankees

will trade for him.  Can't see DJ handling the pressure of being a Yankee though.

by bolt on Jun 29, 2007 4:39 PM PDT   0 recs

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

by monkeyball on Jun 29, 2007 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

#9 hitter should have good speed

we have #8 hitters.

by bolt on Jun 29, 2007 4:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I disagree

a #9 hitter is someone you actually want in the lineup....  Not sure a few of our guys even qualify in that regard.

by AsFanInLA on Jun 29, 2007 4:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is there ANY team would could beat? Major League

and not the Indians in the movie.

by kapers on Jun 29, 2007 4:44 PM PDT   0 recs

A's Live Game Time Chat

Check it - http://www.gamechatlive.com  Been working on this chat client for a bit- I think its ready for prime time.  C'mon over and let's chat during the game!

by chuckcheeze on Jun 29, 2007 4:44 PM PDT   0 recs

Kennedy

come on - at this rate, you'll be at 100 pitches in the 4th inning.

by MobiusKlein on Jun 29, 2007 4:48 PM PDT   0 recs

Argh. LAA already up 5-0
The hell if I know.

by pam5981 on Jun 29, 2007 4:49 PM PDT   0 recs

That was an awesome job by MaEl

to smother the ball and get the out at 1st.

The hell if I know.

by pam5981 on Jun 29, 2007 4:50 PM PDT   0 recs

Wow

that was a nice play by Jeter.  Says Korach:  "Nobody in the history of the games has done that like Jeter does."

Watt Funk Staturist

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 29, 2007 4:53 PM PDT   0 recs

I really hate it...

...when Jeter makes that damn play.

Bottom of the 9th - Baseball photojournalism by James Venes

by Flashfire on Jun 29, 2007 4:53 PM PDT   0 recs

and when michael kay goes apeshit over it.
subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 29, 2007 4:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

At this point, I'd be more surprised...

...if Jeter didn't make it.

Bottom of the 9th - Baseball photojournalism by James Venes

by Flashfire on Jun 29, 2007 4:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Mussina looks terrible
and he's shut the A's out for 3 innings. Gawd. It feels like the mid-90s again. :-(
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 29, 2007 4:59 PM PDT   0 recs

Kot & Swish first ball swining for outs?

IBB in the third inning?

This is not good

by MobiusKlein on Jun 29, 2007 5:05 PM PDT   0 recs

So Jeter just needs to throw the ball

and it's an out. The position of the firstbaseman's feet is just assumed?

by ghostofmikegallego on Jun 29, 2007 5:06 PM PDT   0 recs

i'll be damned..dp

i figured jOke would have walked ahh-bray-whoo

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

by ak_A on Jun 29, 2007 5:06 PM PDT   0 recs

Hi A's fans. Why can't we hit The Moose?

He looks awful but we are awful-er.

"I still believe in 2007!"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 29, 2007 5:07 PM PDT   0 recs

Gentleman Jack starts us off nicely.

Keep it goin' Mr. Clutch!

"I still believe in 2007!"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 29, 2007 5:08 PM PDT   0 recs

Chavez pops out to the right side

that's new. Usually its the left side.  Perhaps he's feeling better (or worse)

by bolt on Jun 29, 2007 5:12 PM PDT   0 recs

Yeah

That looked ugly.  

"The game has a cleanness. If you do a good job, the numbers say so. You don't have to ask anyone or play politics..." - Koufax

by Zakolantern on Jun 29, 2007 5:13 PM PDT   0 recs

JoKe is settling down

at least for one inning... but can we score a damn run off their "washed up" righty??

"I still believe in 2007!"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 29, 2007 5:17 PM PDT   0 recs

it's gonna come down to Stewart, Cust & Swish

I wouldn't count on production from anyone else.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 29, 2007 5:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My player of the game- Bobby Crosby

I can't stand him and tonight he will do something unusual like get a key hit.  Just wait... keep waiting...

"I still believe in 2007!"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 29, 2007 5:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Praise for Crosby while making an out.
He took a pitch the other way so the day off might have given him some time to think about his approach.  Please let that be the case.
"I still believe in 2007!"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 29, 2007 5:22 PM PDT   0 recs

His first ab, would have been a hit with most

ss, Jeter is not the greatest defensive, but he does t