Open Game Thread: Game 11 - A's vs. Indians

by notsellingjeans on Apr 11, 2008 1:32 PM PDT

A pair of staff aces look for their first wins of the season today as C.C. Sabathia and Joe Blanton square off in Cleveland at 4:05 Pacific Time. It's the opener of a three-game series between the two teams.

The Sabathia Free Agent Tour has gotten off to a much rougher start than the Joe Blanton Trade Value Tour thus far. C.C.'s been roughed up in both his starts (one of which was a 6-1 A's win on April 5) to the tune of a 7.59 era and 1.78 WHIP. His 9 strikeouts and 7 walks in 10.2 innings may indicate that his stuff has been there, but he's struggling to spot his pitches. We'll see if that trend continues tonight.

Blanton stands at 0-2 after three starts despite not allowing a run in the first four innings of any game this year. He's lost consecutive starts by the score of 2-1. The A's haven't afforded him much margin for error, and the games have come down to that third trip through the opponents' lineup. It will be interesting to see if Joe can get through that third trip without getting touched up tonight.

The A's hope to continue their hot streak after sweeping the Blue Jays. Weather may put tonight's game in jeopardy; rain is very likely.

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It actually said on weather.com that the chance

of rain is 100 percent. Not sure if I've ever seen that before.

by Blez on Apr 11, 2008 1:35 PM PDT 0 recs

100% of rain is half mental.

by Eggman on Apr 11, 2008 1:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

Duke...

Harden...
Crosby.

Storms may produce large hail and strong winds.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Apr 11, 2008 1:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

That's amazing

Weather.com is putting a hell of a lot of pressure on themselves.

"I still say put Jack Cust on some roller skates, arm him with a squeeze tube of epoxy, and let him loose in CF...righteous!" -MRod

by notsellingjeans on Apr 11, 2008 1:43 PM PDT 0 recs

If they can't commit 110%, then I don't trust them.

by Eggman on Apr 11, 2008 1:47 PM PDT up 0 recs

lol

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 11, 2008 3:11 PM PDT up 0 recs

It should actually clear up later on though...

It should clear up around 10 or 11 PM, eastern. Will they wait it out if that's the case? Tomorrow and Sunday look iffy as well. I'd think that if they can squeeze one in, even late, they will.

by Dr Pez on Apr 11, 2008 1:44 PM PDT 0 recs

Well it doesn't look very pretty either

by theblackpearl on Apr 11, 2008 1:45 PM PDT 0 recs

Can we play in Akron? That looks nice.

by Eggman on Apr 11, 2008 1:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

Freemont on that map looks like it's nice as well. Eerie!!!

by drink409 on Apr 11, 2008 1:54 PM PDT up 0 recs

Sandusky, OH

Home of the best Amusement Park, Ever! Cedar Point!

by Colorado Fan on Apr 11, 2008 2:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

I hope the A's don't make...

A Stop at Willoughby.

Chocolate Cherry

by Ice Cream on Apr 11, 2008 2:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

Willoughby

Probably snowing there

Enjoy the game

by DCinWC on Apr 11, 2008 2:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

I should defer to monkeyball on this...

I'll look for you in old Honolulu,
San Francisco, Ashtabula,
Yer gonna have to leave me now, I know.
But I'll see you in the sky above,
In the tall grass, in the ones I love,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

by Soaker on Apr 11, 2008 2:59 PM PDT up 0 recs

"Well it doesn't look very pretty either"

should have included an actual photo of cleveland:

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 11, 2008 3:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

what clean water... feel like swimming

by drink409 on Apr 11, 2008 3:32 PM PDT up 0 recs

At least

it isn't on fire

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on Apr 11, 2008 3:35 PM PDT up 0 recs

Well the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you churn, and the Lord can make you overflow...

...but the Lord can't make you burn.

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

by The Dogfather on Apr 11, 2008 3:59 PM PDT up 0 recs

I want this game to happen

Been looking forward to another game all day. Also, does anyone think that Geren might use the a move Torre, Girardi, Bochy play book and start the game with middle relief anticipating a rain delay? It isn't a bad move but our bullpen is really stretched thin tonite with all these long games the last couple of days. What do you guys think it would look like if they did?

by Jason on Apr 11, 2008 2:30 PM PDT 0 recs

Let's hope he doesn't pull a Bochy

i.e. start a reliever, bring Blanton in in the third inning, have him sit through a 75 minute rain delay, then have him come BACK into the game...

[My brain is still reeling at what a dumb decision that was. Sabean should have gotten him on the phone and ordered him to sit Lincecum back down as soon as he saw him warming up again. Unfortunately, Sabean is even more of an idiot than Bochy.]

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 11, 2008 3:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

My mouth hung open for about the first ten minutes after Lincecum took the mound again. I thought I couldn't be seeing what I was seeing.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 11, 2008 3:52 PM PDT up 0 recs

Krukow says it OK, so it must be OK

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on Apr 11, 2008 3:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

Unfortunately?

"Looks like you brought two too many."

by BWH on Apr 11, 2008 4:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yes, unfortunately

if you like good baseball, or hate idiocy, or are actually from San Francisco and are only an A's fan by semi-coincidence...

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 11, 2008 4:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

Red Sox Ad's on AN

Maybe this has been brought up already but can someone explain to me why I'm seeing a Red Sox advertisment every time I log on to this site? Seems like there are more Sox logos on the front page at any given moment than there are A's logos.

by GusanoQuemador on Apr 11, 2008 2:49 PM PDT 0 recs

Lineups per mlb.com GameDay

Ellis -- 2B
Barton -- 1B
Brown -- RF
Sweeney, M -- DH
Crosby -- SS
Cust -- LF
Murphy -- 3B
Bowen -- C
Denorfia -- CF

witty remark

by dtownmbrown on Apr 11, 2008 3:05 PM PDT 0 recs

Lefty

And apparently he owns Sabathia. Or something.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 11, 2008 3:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

looks like another tough one for Joe tonight

by jshaw25 on Apr 11, 2008 3:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

seriously

Hardluck Blanton will not be getting much support, when the lineup has Brown hitting 3rd.

witty remark

by dtownmbrown on Apr 11, 2008 3:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

our 3-4

is f***ing emil brown and mike sweeney?
i'd rather see andrew brown and ryan sweeney...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 11, 2008 3:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

looking at that lineup I'd rather have Ellis hitting third, but then who leads off?

witty remark

by dtownmbrown on Apr 11, 2008 3:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

would you rather our 3-4

was f***ing Matt Damon?

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 11, 2008 3:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

niiiiiice

by designatedforassignment on Apr 11, 2008 3:51 PM PDT up 0 recs

just noticed the rest of it...

murphy, bown, denorfia: geren hates blanton confirmed.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 11, 2008 3:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

OK, you've got dibs on Geren

PT has Harden.
I've got ~~Buck~~ Emil.
mikeA, what flavor H8rade are you drinking this year?

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 11, 2008 3:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

Hmmm, tricky one this year, but gotta go with someone...

Mike Sweeney would be an obvious choice, since everyone thought he would be awesome all of a sudden for no particular reason in April, and apparently still think he's awesome, still for no particular reason... But I like him, and he's no worse than the rest of these guys. Crosby hardly seems worth it. Emil kinda sucks, but I like him more than most people. I even like Lenny, and I'll defend him if he gives up 14 hits tomorrow. I sure didn't like DJ....

Ok, I don't like Foulke much anyway, and I think he's gotten lucky, plus got handed a role because he was good 4 years ago and they hope they can trade him. I'll go with Foulke.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Apr 11, 2008 3:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

Can I have Street?

by OldhamA on Apr 11, 2008 3:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

I think we need a FanPost for this

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 11, 2008 4:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

All of those guys hit lefties better than righties

and Denorfia is my dude, so... back off, boogaloo.

I'm not sure what's supposed to be wrong with platooning.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 11, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

You do seem to have an little thing for

Denorfia. So far he's not produced, but I'm willing to give him time.

by OldhamA on Apr 11, 2008 3:41 PM PDT up 0 recs

He had a hit in his PH role last night

didn't he?

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 11, 2008 3:53 PM PDT up 0 recs

Scrappy, gritty infield single

IIRC.

[Note: the above is sarcasm. I'm actually hoping that he doesn't get pigeonholed as a center-field version of Eckstein.]

"So far he's not produced," in addition to being palpably English, is not really fair. The guy's had 9 plate appearances.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 11, 2008 4:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

Hard hit ground ball up the middle

past the diving King of Scrappy/Grittiness himself.

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on Apr 11, 2008 4:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'd be happy with

Murphy and Denorfia if I were Joe from a run support perspective.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Apr 11, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

Murphy must be feeling better

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 11, 2008 3:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

and...

Sizemore -- CF
Cabrera -- 2B
Hafner -- DH
Martinez -- C
Peralta -- SS
Garko -- 1B
Delluci -- LF
Michaels -- RF
Blake -- 3B

witty remark

by dtownmbrown on Apr 11, 2008 3:06 PM PDT 0 recs

wow

the a's lineup looks good, when do those guys get picked up?

by Future Ed on Apr 11, 2008 3:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

Buck

So hot-hitter Buck out tonight with shin splints. According to the Chron it's minor.

by arch on Apr 11, 2008 3:07 PM PDT 0 recs

Link

Travis

by arch on Apr 11, 2008 3:09 PM PDT up 0 recs

I was wondering

If it was just a scheduled day off, as it looks for Hannahan, Bad Sweeney, and Suzuki

witty remark

by dtownmbrown on Apr 11, 2008 3:09 PM PDT up 0 recs

Geez...gotta bubblewrap Buck too.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 11, 2008 3:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

Tell me about it

He's constantly injured.

by OldhamA on Apr 11, 2008 3:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

ailments that sound like punk rock stage names

Shin Splints
Back Spasms

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 11, 2008 3:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

Subscalpularis Strain..

a good metal band name

witty remark

by dtownmbrown on Apr 11, 2008 3:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

lol

what about "anal fissure and the twisted testicles"?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 11, 2008 3:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

"Seligulean Combover"

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 11, 2008 3:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

Can we blame the turf?

He did run a lot.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 11, 2008 3:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

PRAY FOR RAIN!!!

by jshaw25 on Apr 11, 2008 3:19 PM PDT 0 recs

amen!

by arch on Apr 11, 2008 3:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

Why, are they playing in Atlanta?

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 11, 2008 3:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

Comcast is showing the A's in Japan again

I still am surprised about the players' expressing amazement about the Japanese fans waving flags and playing different songs for each player. It's not like we don't do that in Oakland!

The candy and the baseball all night long: )

by Englishmajor on Apr 11, 2008 3:47 PM PDT 0 recs

I noticed that too

by paradox on Apr 11, 2008 4:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

Has anyone been able to record it for me

I put up a post on FanPost a week ago but I guess no one has been able to do so....I live in Houston, huge A's fan, I have MLB ExtraInnings but they don't show the regular shows. I would really appreciate it!

oAkLaNd AtHlEtIcS!!

Spaceballs
Dark Helmet: Before you die there is something you should know about us, Lone Star.
Lone Starr: What?
Dark Helmet: I am your father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate.
Lone Starr: What's that make us?
Dark Helmet: Absolutely nothing! Which is what you are about to become.

by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Apr 12, 2008 5:14 AM PDT up 0 recs