Open Thread: Game 36 - A's vs. Orioles
Well, the A's take the field for the day game, in what will be their fifth sweep opportunity this young season. Although this homestand has been lacking an offensive explosion (the A's hadn't scored more than 3 runs until yesterday), they are looking to leave town with a 4-2 record with a win today.
Joe Blanton will take his tough W/L record to the mound in an effort to secure his third win of the season. Despite sporting a 3.88 ERA in eight pretty quality starts, he has only won two games, while losing five, in a combination of opposing ace pitching, poor defense behind him, and just bad luck so far this season. If you had told me before the season that Blanton would be 2-5 in the second week of May, I would have put the A's record somewhere near the Rangers. But clearly, Blanton has absorbed most of the A's poor play, and there is probably no one more anxious than he to turn things around.
On the opposing end, the A's will be facing RHP Jeremy Guthrie, and MLB's Mychael Urban correctly called Mike Sweeney's start today, but he is the DH, so Barton is in the lineup also.
Baltimore:
Torres, 2B
Mora, 3B
Markakis, RF
Huff, DH
Scott, LF
Millar, 1B
Payton, CF
Hernandez, R, C
Hernandez, L, SS
Your 2008 Oakland Athletics:
Suzuki, C
Barton, 1B
Sweeney, M, DH
Cust, LF
Brown, E, RF
Crosby, SS
Ellis, 2B
Hannahan, 3B
Sweeney, R, CF
LET'S GO OAKLAND!!!
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CG for Joe, HR's for ChoCoBoCro
Sorry I won’t be able to watch, going golfing instead…
You don't win friends with salad.
by tresselfan on
May 7, 2008 11:23 AM PDT
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Is it wrong that I don't want Sweeney to be starting?
Barton needs to be in there.
by mikev on
May 7, 2008 11:29 AM PDT
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If Sweeney is starting,
Thomas really shouldn’t be.
A day off once in a while for Barton is fine, but there’s no way he should be sitting for 2 games out of a 3-game series.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
May 7, 2008 11:30 AM PDT
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Weird...that's right.
I forgot about Sweeney’s start on Monday (?)
Mychael Urban thinks Sweeney will start today, but not I’m doubting it.
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 11:34 AM PDT
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You are exactly right.
Sweeney is in, and Thomas is not.
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 12:08 PM PDT
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Zing
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
May 7, 2008 12:11 PM PDT
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Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
I...drink...your...milkshake! I drink it up! - Daniel Plainview
by methodrampage on
May 7, 2008 12:12 PM PDT
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You know, I really don't mind you being a prick, in principle
but following me around and posting prickish replies? That I do mind.
F^%$ off. Next time you do this I’m going to start flagging it as trolling.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
May 7, 2008 12:18 PM PDT
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Paul, can I call you Paul?
Anyways Paul, you know I appreciate you doing me the favor by not “flagging” me but honestly I don’t really need any favors from you. Feel free to flag away.
I...drink...your...milkshake! I drink it up! - Daniel Plainview
by methodrampage on
May 7, 2008 12:22 PM PDT
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OK... done
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
May 7, 2008 12:24 PM PDT
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Gaudin to bullpen
From SSlusser:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=21&entry_id=26321
-Dan
by ironliver on
May 7, 2008 11:31 AM PDT
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YES!
That was exactly the right call, IMO.
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 11:31 AM PDT
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I agree, but am less sure about it
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on
May 7, 2008 11:33 AM PDT
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With how Eveland/Smith have been pitching, you can't mess that up
Gaudin has bounced from ‘pen to SP, and has been a fill-in; Smith/Eveland have real SP careers in front of them.
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 11:35 AM PDT
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Gaudin is also a real asset in the 'pen,
whereas Smith/Eveland probably would have been demoted.
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on
May 7, 2008 11:39 AM PDT
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that too
They are SP, either with the big club, or down in AAA
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 11:50 AM PDT
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Its only a bummer becuase Gaudin looks healthy
and we saw what he did in a Healthy first half last year…
I just don’t have a better option that I can think of either.
Unless one of the rook’s starts looking bad like they need to be sent down.
Let’s hope that doesn;t happen though.
witty remark
by dtownmbrown on
May 7, 2008 12:24 PM PDT
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I think he tired out in the 2nd half last year, too.
It was over 3x as many innings as he’d thrown in a season before.
If guys have to be juggled around a bit so that they’re all right around 175(ish) innings or so would be just about right IMO
by mikev on
May 7, 2008 12:29 PM PDT
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Methinks someone forgot the minor leagues
He threw 164 innings in 2005.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
May 7, 2008 12:32 PM PDT
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I was being specific to the bigs
But yeah, you’re right.
Man, Toronto and Tampa sure misused the poor guy.
by mikev on
May 7, 2008 12:33 PM PDT
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yeah his decline was probably a combo of fatigue and health, but
its all probably a moot point anyway, when Harden fails to stay healthy
witty remark
by dtownmbrown on
May 7, 2008 12:33 PM PDT
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Ditto.
I know we’re not supposed to talk about our feelings, but I’m bummed for the guy. He’s done a great job.
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 7, 2008 11:54 AM PDT
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Yeah, he really has
But he can’t be THAT upset…c’mon, he’s being replaced by Harden…what? Two weeks tops?
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 11:56 AM PDT
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Excellent point.
But, he’s earned his spot, IMO.
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 7, 2008 11:58 AM PDT
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Yeah, but you can't move SP rookies to the pen
Smith/Eveland, for their careers’ sake, need to start every day, either here with the big club or in AAA. They can’t bounce back and forth to the pen, but Gaudin can, and has before.
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 12:04 PM PDT
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I know. You're right.
Sigh.
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 7, 2008 12:07 PM PDT
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Again, though...Rich Harden :-)
(if I say it enough, will I jinx him into staying healthy?!)
:-)
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 12:09 PM PDT
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you just jinxed it
by saying you wanted to jinx it.
way to go.
by oakinboston on
May 7, 2008 12:10 PM PDT
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I fear Harden is jinx-proof.
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 12:10 PM PDT
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Maybe like 5 years ago, when he was terrible...
Gaudin has not “bounced back and forth” with the A’s before.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
May 7, 2008 12:09 PM PDT
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Yes, but he's not a rookie SP either.
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 12:09 PM PDT
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Your point being?
Normally rookie SP are MORE likely to get moved to the ‘pen and back than established rotation members.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
May 7, 2008 12:14 PM PDT
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I have no point.
I just happen to think that Eveland/Smith have more upside to being starting pitchers than Gaudin. Call it my particular brand of crazy.
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 12:23 PM PDT
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It's a reasonable position
I can’t say I agree with it, though. At least not in regards to Smith. Gaudin has far more upside than Smith does in my assessment.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
May 7, 2008 12:26 PM PDT
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Maybe for me, it's simply aesthetic
I feel like Gaudin nibbles a lot at the plate. Hard to watch at times.
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 12:31 PM PDT
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I'm bummed for me
my fantasy team is desperate for a starter and I was about to pick up Gaudin.
"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty
by 5Aces on
May 7, 2008 11:58 AM PDT
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Who are your other options?
Bring back Hammer.
by OaktownPower on
May 7, 2008 12:15 PM PDT
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I'm sure I can find others
heck, we have two generic “pitcher” spots and I think I can just move some folks around and make it work.
I just hate it when a plan doesn’t come together.
"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty
by 5Aces on
May 7, 2008 12:19 PM PDT
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Damn it!
I sat Votto today.
I...drink...your...milkshake! I drink it up! - Daniel Plainview
by methodrampage on
May 7, 2008 12:17 PM PDT
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thats a real bummer
I picked up Lieber….
witty remark
by dtownmbrown on
May 7, 2008 12:28 PM PDT
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you are permitted to speak of these things you call "feelings"
... but you may only do so if you fill out our survey tool.
On a scale of 1-10, how not-awesome do you feel about Gaudin being moved to the pen?
We're going to knock balls out of the country's park, for the home team, which is America. @('.')@
by monkeyball on
May 7, 2008 12:29 PM PDT
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But who is getting demoted?
No mention of how the 25 man roster spot will be opened up for Harden, but it does say that Braden or Devine could be sent down to make room for Foulke.
by mikev on
May 7, 2008 11:42 AM PDT
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She speculated in the notes that it will be Braden and Denorfia, which seems likely
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on
May 7, 2008 11:43 AM PDT
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baffling
what does Rsweeney have over Denorfia? I don’t understand.
by Future Ed on
May 7, 2008 12:01 PM PDT
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Hits left handed... nothing else....
I’d guess that he’ll go down too for Buck.
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on
May 7, 2008 12:04 PM PDT
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oh, I forgot
He’s a hybrid of Kotsay and Hendu.
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on
May 7, 2008 12:04 PM PDT
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putting either Gaudin or Duke in the pen
was really the best alternative for now…and for a lot of reasons it would be less problematic to move Gaudin.
As we all know, it may only be a temporary move.
by OaklandSi on
May 7, 2008 11:58 AM PDT
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Sweeney is for Frank
Suzuki
Barton
Sweeney
Cust
Brown
Crosby
Ellis
Hannahan
Sweeney
Brian Roberts out for the O’s; some scrub leading off.
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on
May 7, 2008 12:01 PM PDT
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how many names
are needed for a complete line up? 4?
Suzuki CF, C
Sweeney 1b, RF
Ramierez, LF, ss, 3b
Sanchez 2b, P
by Future Ed on
May 7, 2008 12:17 PM PDT
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I was REALLY sick last night...
...did I imagine Sharon making a game thread appearance on AN?
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 12:10 PM PDT
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She. Was. There.
"Hasn’t the foggiest inclination toward winning ‘tall. Hates to win. Likes to be buggered."
by Jennifer on
May 7, 2008 12:14 PM PDT
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Yes.
"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish
by Sharon on
May 7, 2008 12:15 PM PDT
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AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
ok, I’m beginning to get over it a little…
"The Athletics at Fremont" is noxious
by ArakSOT on
May 7, 2008 12:16 PM PDT
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AHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Hi Sharon!!!!!!! We have missed you!!!
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on
May 7, 2008 12:20 PM PDT
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AHHHHH!!!!
I missed you guys too!
"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish
by Sharon on
May 7, 2008 12:22 PM PDT
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I feel so left out for not knowing Sharon.
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 7, 2008 12:18 PM PDT
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I think most of us know "of" her
It’s like a four leaf clover or the loch ness monster. Sure you’ve heard of it, but only few have actually seen.
"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty
by 5Aces on
May 7, 2008 12:21 PM PDT
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not just a feeling; you are left out
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on
May 7, 2008 12:24 PM PDT
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boo
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 7, 2008 12:32 PM PDT
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I feel left out...
...b/c there’s a lot that I’ve missed. It’s been a while for me.
"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish
by Sharon on
May 7, 2008 12:26 PM PDT
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not just a feeling; you are left out
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on
May 7, 2008 12:27 PM PDT
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Oh, poor ignorant little thing
No one, I mean No One, really KNOWS Sharon. She’s enigmatic, like the wind, and unknowable, like Zen
(Actually, I’ve no idea who she is, but… who am I to admit that in a public forum)
by As Fan in the Bronx on
May 7, 2008 12:28 PM PDT
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I'm familiar with Sharon
but am guessing she has no recollection of me, so I’m not sure how much she’ll appreciate this “Welcome Back!” message.
"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL
by oblique on
May 7, 2008 12:31 PM PDT
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I appreciate every "welcome back"
"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish
by Sharon on
May 7, 2008 12:33 PM PDT
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Well, then: Welcome Back!!
"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL
by oblique on
May 7, 2008 12:34 PM PDT
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