Open Game Thread: Game 109 - A's vs. Angels
And thus the series begins that could've been a lot more interesting than it currently is. Sigh. Oh well, I'm still pumped that this series will lead to AN Day on Saturday. It's the fourth AN Day and definitely is the most interesting opponent. This year we get to actually take on a division opponent instead of the Royals or Blue Jays.
Any way, the pitchers for tonight's opener are Chad Gaudin with his 8-6 record and 3.71 ERA and Joe Saunders who is 4-0 and has a 3.16 ERA. The good news about 2007 is that the A's have been handling the Angels very well this year. They are 6-3 against them, having swept the two-game series against the men in red in April and going 4-3 in Anaheim. If there's anything an A's fan can take joy in this year it's that the green and gold guys been able to smack the Angels. We've got to cling to the small victories this year and is the Angels wind up losing the division by a game, I'll just go into the offseason thinking that it was one of the A's games that did it.
The lineup for the A's looks like this:
Buck
Stewart
Swisher
Piazza
Ellis
Scutaro
Kotsay
Suzuki
Murphy
Suzuki has been hitting a little better of late, but he's still hitting .167 against lefties, so we'll see if that continues or if it's just a matter of sample size. Chavez remains out and Geren continues to manage with a 24-person roster. If he's really hurt this bad, can we just put him on the disabled list? Or better yet, have him have the surgery he needs and start getting him ready for 2008? I'm not usually one to call for surgery as the best option and it's possible that Chavez can just continue to get better, but it seems to have at least given Kotsay the ability to stay in there on a daily basis. You can argue whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at least he's had the ability to be in there.
The Angels counter with this lineup:
Figgins
Cabrera
Guerrero
Anderson
Matthews
Kotchman
Izturis
Mathis
Willits
If I remember correctly, the last time Gaudin faced the Angels was one of the worst home plate umpire jobs I'd seen. Yes, Gaudin was all over the place, but the home plate ump had one of the weirdest zones I'd ever seen. And Gaudin needs an ump with a somewhat generous zone because of all the movement on his pitches. I'll be watching to see if Gaudin hits Suzuki's glove on a regular basis or if Kurt is continually reaching for pitches.
LET'S GO A'S!!!!!!! BEAT THE DAMN HALOS!
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First
Looking forward to meeting you guys at AN Day on Saturday. Also, the 5 of us traveling from the Midwest will be sitting in the bleachers tomorrow night, so hopefully someone else is out there with us. See you guys tomorrow!
by sprtsnwyn on Aug 2, 2007 6:46 PM PDT 0 recs
Looking forward to meeting some people
but not you.
by ohtobe21likehuston on
Aug 2, 2007 7:43 PM PDT
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I hate the Angels.
I really really hate them. At least for tonight the dream of an sweep by the A's has a few more hours of life. What if.....
by alox on Aug 2, 2007 6:49 PM PDT 0 recs
did anyone else hear this?
During the pre-game Bob Geren Show, Korach asks him about 'just how great has Alan Embree been, since he's been closing games?' (sic). He follows up that question with an almost exact same question, to which Geren responds,
"What can I say... he's just been our steady, ... tremendous, bullpen man."
It was like Geren was about to say "our Steady Eddie" but he paused and improvised with "Steady Tremendous Bullpen Man"
I think that's a nickname that bears sticking!
by popcornjames on Aug 2, 2007 6:50 PM PDT 0 recs
sorry, Fosse not Korach.
(shows still on - 106.9 fm or 1550 am -like I even need to tell you guys, chuh)
by popcornjames on
Aug 2, 2007 6:51 PM PDT
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Funny
When I read your first post I thought that sounded more like the type of question Fosse would ask.
by andeux on
Aug 2, 2007 6:54 PM PDT
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It makes it hard to believe that
no one wanted Embree at the deadline. Or maybe Billy wasn't shopping him, but I would've expect that many would've proactively sought out someone like Embree who proved he is a very good setup man and can be a capable closer when called upon.
by Blez on
Aug 2, 2007 6:54 PM PDT
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are we paying Embree a lot?
Seems like most of the trade speculation had to do with the bigger contracts. When Blanton's name popped up in the rumors, I wasn't too surprised that the Dodgers balked at what the A's were asking for, Blanton's cheap.
At least that's the only sense I can really make of the Bradley and even the Kendall trades.
by popcornjames on
Aug 2, 2007 6:58 PM PDT
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I doubt that Beane would let him go
Embree is under contract for next year, and next year his exact pitching flexibility for situations in late innings may create many extra wins.
As someone has pointed out, Beane has done little the last 2-3 years at deadline.
by One won lost won on
Aug 2, 2007 7:01 PM PDT
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I can't get past the idea
of what could have been with a full season of Duke, Street, Casillas, Embree, and an effective Calero. Not to mention a rotation of Harden, Haren, Loiza, Blanton, and Gaudin.
Throw in a couple of hitters and we could have been contenders....
by alox on
Aug 2, 2007 7:05 PM PDT
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".. instead of bums,
which is what we is."
by Checkswing HR on
Aug 2, 2007 7:46 PM PDT
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Shooty has such a cool
baseball name. I love cool baseball names. Pokey Reese was another good one. Whatever happened to that guy?
by alox on Aug 2, 2007 6:52 PM PDT 0 recs
Daric Barton hitting .185 last ten
games, with no extra base hits.
Now batting .308 overall.
Glad ANers not running the team.
by One won lost won on Aug 2, 2007 6:58 PM PDT 0 recs
AHHH!
by Jennifer on Aug 2, 2007 6:58 PM PDT 0 recs
Indeed.
by Jennifer on
Aug 2, 2007 7:07 PM PDT
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barton
I feel Barton is not the best option for the A's. I just feel he will put up DJ type of stats. Barton is not a 30 homer guy so he is more a Hatty type of player. A 300 hitter with OBA.
by Arcman on Aug 2, 2007 7:07 PM PDT 0 recs
James Simmons
is pitching pretty good at AA. Some positive notes.
by chavyizdamn3 on Aug 2, 2007 7:09 PM PDT 0 recs
Aw!
That's sweet.
by Jennifer on
Aug 2, 2007 7:14 PM PDT
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Will do. Good luck to you guys.
That was one hell of a game last night and I watched it since the A's weren't playing. Wow!
by ohtobe21likehuston on
Aug 2, 2007 8:13 PM PDT
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I hate Figgins.
by alox on Aug 2, 2007 7:11 PM PDT 0 recs
oh god, was it.
Korach does this to us ALL the TIME.
by popcornjames on
Aug 3, 2007 5:16 PM PDT
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Shut up Kuiper.
by alox on Aug 2, 2007 7:13 PM PDT 0 recs
Crossed him up?
by alox on Aug 2, 2007 7:14 PM PDT 0 recs
It figures I have to miss part of an Angels game
I'm just now leaving work and will listen on the way home. Will tag back up with you guys when I get home and say hi to my kids for 5 minutes. Still pooped from driving back from Louisville yesterday so we need to take an early lead and keep it in case I fall asleep before the game is over.
by kapers on Aug 2, 2007 7:15 PM PDT 0 recs
With all the money Vladimir G makes...
why can't he hire someone to clean his equipment...
at least the batting helmet.
How can you be so stingy, you cannot hire someone to clean your batting helmet?
by One won lost won on Aug 2, 2007 7:16 PM PDT 0 recs
I know. I'm being facetious
Lotta players do this. I think the Red Sox are the most affected in this regard (esp when they had Millar). Trying to look "veteran".
by One won lost won on
Aug 2, 2007 8:20 PM PDT
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People have posed the question
"which would you rather have? 9 guys who hit 20 Homeruns each, or 3 guys who hit 40 and 6 guys who hit 10?"
People seem to usually pick the "9 hitting 20", but the more I think about it, I would prefer the 3 40 HR guys. That way, I could concentrate the offense and get the most runs in. If I have a few high OBP guys, stick them infront of the 40 HR guys and you got a bunch of runs per HR, instead of what we have: lots of Solo's.
by Zonis on Aug 2, 2007 7:17 PM PDT 0 recs
Please be okay.
by Jennifer on Aug 2, 2007 7:19 PM PDT 0 recs
The ump said he swung.
by Jennifer on
Aug 2, 2007 7:21 PM PDT
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Hm. Not for sure.
I heard the ump grunt something, I assumed he called it on a check swing type thing. Hell, I don't know.
by Jennifer on
Aug 2, 2007 7:25 PM PDT
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Not only wierd.
Retarded is not to strong a word.
by alox on
Aug 2, 2007 7:35 PM PDT
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RUN!
by Jennifer on Aug 2, 2007 7:34 PM PDT 0 recs
Golf clapo
for Marco.
by alox on Aug 2, 2007 7:34 PM PDT 0 recs
WOO!
by Jennifer on Aug 2, 2007 7:36 PM PDT 0 recs
Man on third with less than two outs...
where I have I seen this before?
by alox on Aug 2, 2007 7:37 PM PDT 0 recs
So it seems.
by alox on
Aug 2, 2007 7:44 PM PDT
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I'll take the under
by alamedagirl on
Aug 2, 2007 7:45 PM PDT
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Oh, don't try a squeeze bunt...
Yeah, just a ground ball...ooops. Another SURE score if the player can bunt...lost.
by One won lost won on
Aug 2, 2007 7:40 PM PDT
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Cust
Is there any other team in baseball that benches their leading home run hitter, leader in slugging, and number 2 in RBIs and On Base Percentage? I understand Geren needs to fit guys in but since Piazza's come back it seems Cust hardly plays at all. His splits are virtually identical against lefties and righties. He's going to have his ups and downs but his offensive stats are actually better than Teixeira's this year and even missing a month of the season he still could get over 30 home runs and 100 rbis with enough playing time.
by SA on Aug 2, 2007 7:37 PM PDT 0 recs
This drives me insane too.
I suppose he will have to wait until next season to get his full shot in the majors. It must be tough for Geren, who do you sit? A HOF'er who can still hit...or Cust.
by alox on
Aug 2, 2007 7:43 PM PDT
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And play the defensive liability known as Swish
in CF and the offensive blackhole known as DJ at 1st? Choices, choices(!)
by OldhamA on
Aug 2, 2007 8:04 PM PDT
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That's the million dollar question.
by alox on
Aug 2, 2007 8:19 PM PDT
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I swear, if I hear this damn Willits living
in a batting cage story again I'm going to throttle someone.
by OldhamA on Aug 2, 2007 7:44 PM PDT 0 recs
Hey people of AN! Let's beat these guys
and start a "what could have been" streak.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Aug 2, 2007 7:49 PM PDT 0 recs
Y'know if Crosby had Murphy's accuracy
he'd be a defensive wizz.
by OldhamA on Aug 2, 2007 7:50 PM PDT 0 recs
My ears are bleeding
oy!
by Amnesiac727 on Aug 2, 2007 7:51 PM PDT 0 recs
What version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
is played over the Coliseum PA either before or after the starting lineups or national anthem?
by Hit4TheCycle on Aug 2, 2007 7:53 PM PDT 0 recs
Is it a trick question?
I don't believe Take Me Out To The Ballgame is played at all except during the seventh-inning stretch.
by Englishmajor on
Aug 2, 2007 8:21 PM PDT
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Tired act.
by ohtobe21likehuston on
Aug 2, 2007 7:59 PM PDT
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Damn it
why did those bozos have to talk about Vlad's HR slump at the start of the game
by doctorK on Aug 2, 2007 7:59 PM PDT 0 recs
Wow
Slow thread tonight. Is it our division rivals we are playing? maybe Im watching a delayed feed and the game was really on at noon today.
by Amnesiac727 on Aug 2, 2007 8:00 PM PDT 0 recs
DJ wouldn't have that one. Nice stab, Swish!
by ohtobe21likehuston on Aug 2, 2007 8:02 PM PDT 0 recs
Yeah, ok, Murphy isn't the SS of the future,
not with that piss poor range.
by OldhamA on Aug 2, 2007 8:03 PM PDT 0 recs
Go Ellis!!!
by Amnesiac727 on Aug 2, 2007 8:07 PM PDT 0 recs
MaEl with some 388+ communication.
The guy is gonna reach 20 homers this year.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Aug 2, 2007 8:07 PM PDT 0 recs
He's outhitting Swisher at this point,
which is pretty sad all things considered.
Ha, that Ump is going on the DL.
by OldhamA on
Aug 2, 2007 8:09 PM PDT
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Shhhhh.
by ohtobe21likehuston on
Aug 2, 2007 8:08 PM PDT
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grape flavor!
by Englishmajor on
Aug 2, 2007 8:22 PM PDT
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Watch out, Alphonso Marquez
Each Larry Davis visit takes months off your career. At least.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 2, 2007 8:09 PM PDT 0 recs
Larry Davis
work your magic on the Ump
by Amnesiac727 on Aug 2, 2007 8:09 PM PDT 0 recs
Uh oh. Larry Davis touched the umpire.
He will be day to day now.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Aug 2, 2007 8:09 PM PDT 0 recs
Ump visited by Larry Davis
He's doomed
by doctorK on Aug 2, 2007 8:09 PM PDT 0 recs
Can someone get Haren to teach Crosby
what a slider is.....y'know, whilst he's there! :P
by OldhamA on Aug 2, 2007 8:12 PM PDT 0 recs
Maybe the ump
will file a grievance with his union demanding that Davis never be allowed on the field with him.
by alox on Aug 2, 2007 8:13 PM PDT 0 recs
what the hell mark ellis
by xbhaskarx on Aug 2, 2007 8:18 PM PDT 0 recs



