Open Thread: Game 44 - A's @ Braves
by Taj Adib
on May 17, 2008 3:46 PM PDT
Oakland Athletics @ Atlanta Braves
After getting burned by one former Athletic (Mark Kotsay) in last night's 3-2 loss, the Green and Gold will look to prevent another former comrade (Tim Hudson) from pitching the Braves into a series win tonight at Turner Field. Opposing Huddy will be Rich Harden, who will make his second start back from his latest DL-stint and we'd all like to see him improve upon his performance last Sunday in Texas, where he struggled with his control en-route to allowing five runs in only 3 2/3 innings. Ideally, Rich will be more aggressive in the strikezone, pitch-to-contact and last deeper into the game, but of course I've learned long ago never to bank on "ideal" scenarios with regards to Harden, but rather to expect the worst scenario and also just to be content with whatever scenario keeps him off the DL (note to GerFrancesco: DO NOT LET Harden swing the bat and if he gets on base by some miracle, DO NOT send him home on any potentially close plays at the plate.)
As far as the offense goes, is 3 runs over 9 innings asking for too much? Sadly, I guess it is, but the guys are due for one of those slump-busting, blow-out wins and for all of the frustration that last night's loss entailed, it was encouraging to see Cust get ahold of one early in the game that almost left the park, Crosby string together a 3-hit night and Bad Sweeney make solid contact in all of his plate appearances en-route to a 2-hit night. So I'll remain optimistic that the offense will come around sooner or later, and why couldn't that be tonight? Good Sweeney is the only current Athletic to have faced Huddy in multiple games, and he's had some some success against the former (and current?) ace, going 8-for-21, with 3 walks, 1 K, and 4 RBI's. Yet, all of Sweeney's hits against Tim were of the single-base variety, and guess what, he's not even in lineup tonight, so that doesn't even really matter!
It's seems like so long since Huddy wore Green and Gold and since the roster has been turned over so many times since he was traded I guess facing his former team won't be weird for him, as he says, "There aren't many of the guys I played with still over there. But it will still be fun to pitch against my old team."...and yet, the memories are still there for me, especially with regards to Huddy. After reading Mychael Urban's ACES: The Last Season on the Mound with The Big Three, I personally came to really appreciate the things Hudson brought to the organization on and off-the field, unfortunately right at the same time that he was traded to the Braves. Hudson just seemed like an awesome clubhouse presence, a true leader/bulldog/warrior, and a guy's guy that perfectly bridged the gap between Mulder's jockish arrogance and Zito's disconnected eccentricities. While the lefties always seemed more self-interested, Huddy was the consummate team ra-ra guy, always standing at the ledge of the dugout during games and always one of the first ones to congratulate position players on jobs-well-done. That type of attitude is rare in today's pro-sports environment and I think the A's are still kind of searching for his heir in that regard.
With all that being said, and with a dash of nostalgic wishful thinking, what do you guys think are the chances that Hudson might one day wear the Green and Gold once again? Since leaving Oakland, Huddy has re-established his reputation for durability, as he averaged 211 innings pitched from 2005-2007 to go along with a 3.91 ERA. He's signed through next season with a mutual option for 2010 worth $12 million. At that time, Huddy will be 34, but might be worth more than 12-mil on the open market, especially to a team like the A's who might be breaking-in a flurry of rookies to the starting rotation and could use a stabilizing, veteran presence on the mound. Two years, $28 million? Any chance at all of that happening?
In other news:
- Eric Chavez continued his rehab stint in Sacramento last night and went 2-for-2 with two doubles and an RBI, although he left the game early due to "tired legs". I'm starting to come around in thinking that Chavez + Buck + CarGon might just be the mid-season jolt that the offense needs to keep the team competitive in the dog days of summer.
- Speaking of Tired Legs, Dana Eveland, "walked in the 6th and admitted later that all the baserunning left him fatigued by the bottom of the inning, when the Braves scored twice." I know that Eveland had his first major league hit last night and is not used to running bases, but the guy's 24 years old, is a professional athlete and played in the National League for the last several years. You'd think that he'd be physically and mentally prepared for a few 90-feet jogs every now and then without using them as an excuse for ineffective pitching?
0 recs |
331
comments
Email
PrintComments
A clever statistician could investigate
Do pitchers have higher RA after being on base the previous inning?
Control vs innings they batted, but did not get on, and all innings.
There may be some correlations due to batting orders on the two teams being aligned.
by MobiusKlein on May 17, 2008 3:56 PM PDT 0 recs
Interesting concept.
I’m wayyyyyy too lazy/too dumb to even try figuring that out though.
by Taj Adib on
May 17, 2008 3:59 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Me too
why do you think I wrote a comment instead of doing it.
Hoped some other person would take the bait
by MobiusKlein on
May 17, 2008 4:01 PM PDT
up
0 recs
All we need is 3 of him and we'd have a good offense!
When will then be now? Soon.
by Syphon on
May 17, 2008 4:05 PM PDT
up
0 recs
why isn't the game on extra innings?
"If people don't know who he is, they'd better turn on the television and check him out."
by jacobo2u on May 17, 2008 4:05 PM PDT 0 recs
anyone else having this problem?
"If people don't know who he is, they'd better turn on the television and check him out."
by jacobo2u on
May 17, 2008 4:07 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Harden still has the goatee...
When will then be now? Soon.
by Syphon on May 17, 2008 4:07 PM PDT 0 recs
Dodgers win 6-3!
pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.
by pam5981 on May 17, 2008 4:09 PM PDT 0 recs
Let's Go A's
How can it possibly be nicer in Atlanta than here in the Bay Area?
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07
by doctorK on May 17, 2008 4:10 PM PDT 0 recs
Bloody Braves announcers talking about the possibility of a no-no.
I hope Hudson gets creamed.
by OldhamA on May 17, 2008 4:12 PM PDT 0 recs
They are painfull to listen too...
almost rather have White Sox announcers.
When will then be now? Soon.
by Syphon on
May 17, 2008 4:12 PM PDT
up
0 recs
What channel is the game on
None here in Southern Cal
by Trainman on
May 17, 2008 4:13 PM PDT
up
0 recs
I don't know about this line up
but I guess we’ve got to move it around to see what works
by butler19 on May 17, 2008 4:15 PM PDT 0 recs
JACK FARKING CUST!!!!!!
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07
by doctorK on May 17, 2008 4:16 PM PDT 0 recs
Why, hellooooo Jack Cust!
pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.
by pam5981 on May 17, 2008 4:16 PM PDT 0 recs
I'm not usually an overly sensitive or PC person...
...but I find the whole “Good Sweeney/Bad Sweeney” thing to be extremely juvenile and in poor taste.
Some read stats. Others actually watch the game.
by UncleLeo on May 17, 2008 4:16 PM PDT 0 recs
It's also not really apt anymore.
“Bad” Sweeney has been swinging the bat well. What if I reversed the connotations so that Mike is Bad and Ryan is good? Would that make things any better or just a whole lot worse?
by Taj Adib on
May 17, 2008 4:18 PM PDT
up
0 recs
No, no, no -
He’s Bad Sweeney even when he’s better than Good Sweeney.
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
May 17, 2008 4:25 PM PDT
up
0 recs
really?
It’s not like we have Black Sweeney and White Sweeney. What is Non-PC about "Good Sweeney/Bad Sweeney"?
Bad Sweeney might even move up to Mediocre Sweenty one day soon.
"I can't wait for tommorrow, cause I get so much cooler every day" - shirt worn by Swish
by Bigtoe on
May 17, 2008 4:20 PM PDT
up
0 recs
HE. IS. SPARTACUST.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on May 17, 2008 4:16 PM PDT 0 recs
Oh my my god! An EARNED run!
pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.
by pam5981 on May 17, 2008 4:17 PM PDT 0 recs
LOL @ Korach
Vintage Hudson with 2 ground balls then
BOOM
by Trainman on May 17, 2008 4:17 PM PDT 0 recs
WTF is Brown swinging at
But hey, at least we got one
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07
by doctorK on May 17, 2008 4:18 PM PDT 0 recs
why is barton in the lineup
last ten games .088 BA and 3 for his last 34 while Mike Sweeney is hitting over .300!!!
Beating LAA or wherever the fu*k they are, Priceless!
by MMunoz33 on May 17, 2008 4:19 PM PDT 0 recs
I ask myself the same thing everytime I see Sweeney on the bench
Geren does not like making it easier on the team.
Having said that all we can do it hope Barton gets a few hits today to build his confidence
by Trainman on
May 17, 2008 4:20 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Yeah...
And Mike Sweeney’s the only guy with experience against Huddy. I don’t understand this.
by Taj Adib on
May 17, 2008 4:21 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Few Things
on Eveland: Its a well known fact that running the bases = tires out pitchers. Thats why NL pitchers generally don’t go for the extra base when they don’t have to, etc. And yeah he might be 24, but he also is the weight of a small killer whale.
As for Huddy, I doubt he’d sign a 2 year deal. He’ll be going for at least 3 years, likely 4 or 5, and will probably get it, and may even get more than $12 million a year (probably $13). And there’s also the likely-good chance that he stays in ATL.
And also remember that we have a Rotation Crunch right now as is, so I doubt we’d sign an expensive starter unless someone not named Harden goes down. Then again, who knows if we will have anyone challenging for a rotation spot out of the minors next year. Gio Gonzalez is struggling in AAA, and Jason Windsor James Simmons is still in Double A.
by Zonis on May 17, 2008 4:20 PM PDT 0 recs
Unfair on the Windsor-Simmons comps.
Simmons is still in Double-A since he’s only 21 years old and this is his first full-season in the minors. He’s doing well, he’ll likely finish the year in AAA, he’s got a lot better “stuff” than Windsor and he’ll compete for a rotation spot next Spring.
Agreed that Huddy will probably take more money elsewhere or something similar from ATL to stay close to home, but I was just wishful thinking anyways.
Gio does not look good so far this season.
Eveland is a hulk of a man, but I just don’t like the idea of him placing the blame for pitching poorly on running the bases when he’s surely done that before in his career.
by Taj Adib on
May 17, 2008 4:26 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Running the bases...
not a whole lot in his career. He didn’t do it in his time in the Majors, since he never got a hit. And he likely didn’t do it in the minors much since pitchers only hit in what? AA and AAA, and only when 2 NL farmclubs face each other.
by Zonis on
May 17, 2008 4:30 PM PDT
up
0 recs
He is a much more "robust" guy than I imagined from hearing his voice.
Older, too.
by mikev on
May 17, 2008 4:22 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Does Emil ever take the proper route to a fly ball?
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on May 17, 2008 4:21 PM PDT 0 recs
Why? That's Crosby's fault.
CF wants the ball, CF gets that ball.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on
May 17, 2008 4:23 PM PDT
up
0 recs
We've already had a similar conversation.
He almost ran Crosby over.
by butler19 on
May 17, 2008 4:24 PM PDT
up
0 recs
No, Sweeney needs to call him off
But first he needs to be able to camp under a ball hit that high that’s hit that far beyond the infield. It drives me crazy.
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
May 17, 2008 4:25 PM PDT
up
0 recs
He would have been camped under it
But he was too busy diving out of the way of Crosby.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on
May 17, 2008 4:27 PM PDT
up
0 recs
He didn't get there until a split second before Crosby caught it.
That should have been a no brainer catch by a good CF. Sweeney is not a good CF.
by mikev on
May 17, 2008 4:29 PM PDT
up
0 recs
If it is, I'm sure he'll pull a muscle in 3 innings.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on
May 17, 2008 4:25 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Hottest hitter on the planet: Chipper Jones?
Apparently Skip isn’t familiar with this guy
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on May 17, 2008 4:24 PM PDT 0 recs
perhaps..
he is referring to the .423 average coming into the game…
by sddbaker on
May 17, 2008 5:43 PM PDT
up
0 recs
excellent....got stuff done already....partly cloudy
so not bad weather and been out and about…and now it appears we have a lead and Harden looked good.
alaska A
by ak_A on May 17, 2008 4:25 PM PDT 0 recs
I kind of like Vince better as a TV guy
and thus far he’s been much better then Kuiper
by Zonis on May 17, 2008 4:26 PM PDT 0 recs
Well that was nice.
pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.
by pam5981 on May 17, 2008 4:28 PM PDT 0 recs
Great baserunning by Barton.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on May 17, 2008 4:29 PM PDT 0 recs
Let's go Bad Sweeney!
;)
pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.
by pam5981 on May 17, 2008 4:29 PM PDT 0 recs
Accidents happen
Tried to destroy a promising inning
OK, lets score a few
by Trainman on May 17, 2008 4:29 PM PDT 0 recs
good grief...had the volume off, saw that
and assume dplay….this is our day. it better be
alaska A
by ak_A on May 17, 2008 4:30 PM PDT 0 recs
GOOD BAD SWEENEY!
Very, very good Bad Sweeney!
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 May 17, 2008 4:30 PM PDT 0 recs
If Hudson wants to not give up a run here
He needs to intentionally walk Sweeney.
Might as well Jump! - Van Halen
by sprtsnwyn on May 17, 2008 4:30 PM PDT 0 recs