Open Thread: Game 81 - A's vs. Giants
by Taj Adib on Jun 29, 2008 1:00 PM PDT
Email
PrintSan Francisco Giants at Oakland Athletics, Jun 29, 2008 1:05 PM PDT
It seems like a long time since I've managed a Game Thread on a day when Joe Blanton is pitching. I kind of miss Kentucky Joe and I was ecstatic when he finally looked like the Blanton of old his last time out against the Phillies. There's no doubt that Joe Blanton's year has been a microcosm of the A's rollercoaster season thus far: at the beginning of the year, he was the Opening Night starter, a steady, consistent workhorse that everyone expected to be dealt by the trading deadline. Then he struggled, badly, against all levels of competition, lost the "Mr. Reliable" tag and whatever immediate trade value he had while aggravating the greater Athletics Nation into believing that a trade and/or an outright demotion from the starting rotation might be a good thing for him (and the team, since Gaudin has arguably been a better pitcher this season).
And yet, when all is said and done, Blanton's been right there to take the ball every 5th day, like he always has, and while his pitches have not been as crisp as year's past, his value to the team has remained strong. In a year when nobody was sure what to expect from pretty much everyone on the roster (save Ellis) Blanton has been the steady hand, ready to eat some innings (and some cupcakes). He'll take the ball today for the Green and Gold with some momentum from his strong last start and a couple of peripheral stats indicating that he might make another strong one today: on the year, Blanton has a 3.74 ERA at home (vs. 6.75 ERA on the road) and is markedly better during the day (3.20 ERA) than at night (5.00 ERA). He also sports a career 3.97 ERA in four games against the Gnats.
Blanton will be opposed by young lefty Jonathan Sanchez. This guy's been on a roll recently and on the year has an impressive better-than-9 K/9 rate (96 K's in 95 IP). That he's a lefty who is death on fellow southpaws (.585 OPS against & 29-5 K-BB ratio) shouldn't matter too much today as two of the A's best left-handed hitters (Chavez & Swooney) weren't going to be in the lineup today anyways, due to injury issues and will likely be replaced by righties E-meal and Raj Davis. Regardless, the A's will have their hands full with young Jonathan today, considering that Sanchez is just a notch below Lincecum talent-wise and we all know how much the A's struggled against him last evening.
The A's need this one guys and gals, as they could, with a "W" tonight and another Angels' loss, travel into Anaslime for the upcoming 3-game faceoff with a chance to take sole possession of the AL West lead by Wednesday afternoon!
293 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I think if Cust was batting 5th last night
the A’s win that game.
You just have to be realistic, with a high strikeout guy batting, and a high strikeout pitcher, pitching.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on Jun 29, 2008 1:02 PM PDT reply actions
Ugh
The right handed lineup is, what’s the word, not good.
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:03 PM PDT reply actions
Unfortunately...
NO lineup consisting of current A’s is good, so I’ll begrudgingly accept that this is the best we got!
At this point, I think he's
the second best pitcher the Giants have.
I'm still mad about last night's game
I lost my voice yelling for nothing (no runs, no win). I hope they score a little today (even though Sanchez is on my fanatasy team)
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Is Emil Brown REALLY batting fourth?
I don’t know if I even want to watch this game.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 29, 2008 1:14 PM PDT reply actions
True, i'm wondering whether Bowen might not have been a better choice
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 29, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Bowen is needed on the bench...
in case of freak injury to Suzuki. Sucks, but it makes sense he’s never a DH.
Right, because freak injuries happen almost every week,
and letting the pitcher bat or get pinch hit for once or twice is a tragedy of unimaginable proportions.
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 29, 2008 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Freak Injuries
Isn’t that the 2008 motto? Not to mention 2007 and 2006?
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
/Fosse/
He’s an RBI Machine, baby! /Fosse/
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep. Just like every other hitter in baseball who regularly bats 4th and 5th
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 29, 2008 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Stop the presses!
Emil did not K!
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:20 PM PDT reply actions
I'm glad I'm not going to watch the whole game today
looks to be another bad offensive game.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Who loves ya, baby?
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Would you also like a spot of tea and a scone?
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.
I'm actually drinking tea right now. :)
"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"
That half inning went by really, really fast. JD likey.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 29, 2008 1:26 PM PDT reply actions
A 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.
Jack
Fucking Cust!
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:29 PM PDT reply actions
Jack Cust is the man
I love that he always hits his bombs to center field. Don’t take the easy way out!
More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/
HE... IS...
SPARTACUST!
Ok, Cupcakes, there’s your run. Go get ‘em!
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 29, 2008 1:30 PM PDT reply actions
Interesting...
Cust’s last 3 homers have come against left-handers. Is it possible, that, Cust is getting BETTER as a hitter?
Question I'm too lazy to look up myself
In the past, has Cust not shown power vs. lefties? I assumed that he just had a lower BA (and OBP because of fewer hits, but not fewer walks) and more Ks. I figured he always could go deep against a lefty if he actually, like, hit the ball.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 29, 2008 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
You're pretty much right.
Much lower overall OPS against lefties, but, coming into this year:
7 homers in 124 at-bats against lefties = about 5.6% of at-bats
19 homers in 274 at-bats against lefties = about 6.9% of at-bats
So not a drastic difference. Basically, he’ll homer on any-ball he can handle right or left.
So...what happens now?
Someone on the A’s crossed the plate. I’m not familiar with this situation.
How does it show up in the box score?
"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL
Blanton cruising through 3
It’s always the last three innings I’m worried about though. Let’s watch this close.
More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/
The last three he throws...
Or the 7th, 8th and 9th? Because I think Blanton has struggled in the 6th a lot this year.
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions
SO HONGRY
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Ha-Ha
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:41 PM PDT reply actions
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
Where Hydrogen is built into Helium
At a temperature of millions of degrees
The sun is hot, the sun is not
A place where we could live
But here on Earth there’d be no life
Without the light it gives
We need its light, we need its heat
The sun light that we seek
The sun light comes from our own sun’s
Atomic energy
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
Where Hydrogen is built into Helium
At a temperature of millions of degrees
The sun is hot…
The sun is so hot that everything on it is a gas
Aluminum, Copper, Iron, and many others
The sun is large…
If the sun were hollow, a million Earth’s would fit inside
And yet, it is only a middle size star
The sun is far away…
About 93,000,000 miles away
And that’s why it looks so small
But even when it’s out of sight
The sun shines night and day
We need its heat, we need its light
The sun light that we seek
The sun light comes from our own sun’s
Atomic energy
Scientists have found that the sun is a huge atom smashing machine
The heat and light of the sun are caused by nuclear reactions between
Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Carbon, and Helium
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
Where Hydrogen is built into Helium
At a temperature of millions of degrees
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not impressed at all with Rich Aurilia's fielding ability.
I think it’s unprofessional. But he can keep dropping balls like that if it makes him feel better.
Damnit
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:51 PM PDT reply actions
Did molina really just get a double? I didn’t think it was possible.
by justarebelheart on Jun 29, 2008 1:51 PM PDT reply actions
I blame louismg
As soon as he started questioning Blanton’s effectiveness, he started faltering! Damn it all!
he wanted to get an early start today
by justarebelheart on Jun 29, 2008 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions
This is f'ing unbelievable
Damn Blanton … get out of this … always seems to bring a can of gasoline at least one inning a game.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
Can of gasoline is
More valuable on current market
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Fire! Fire!
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions
NICE JOB !!!!
If we dump two of three to this piece of shit team ….
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
Damn, he makes really bad hitters look great.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
Poor Blanton
Time to move him somewhere more productive.
All Games and Comments are Subject to Blackout
Make it stop!
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.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME??!!
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
So when is the soonest we can send Blanton on a bus ride elsewhere?
by justarebelheart on Jun 29, 2008 1:59 PM PDT reply actions
This went to hell REALLLL quick.
"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"
Shame on us. Damn. That's just pitiful.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
Bitches, sit down! I don't know you..
but you are on my last effing nerve.
"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"
It's not much of a battle, is it?
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
Were you just sitting in your lair...waiting for the inevitable Blanton implosion to write that one?
No, I just think karma is a bee eye tea see aiche
Sigh.
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
Fuck me gently with a chainsaw
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 2:01 PM PDT reply actions
Hey A's management
Chad fucking Gaudin is a much better pitcher.
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
Seriously, you lose to this team
You need to have a Come to Jesus meeting. There’s absolutely no excuse for that. Last night’s bad enough … I can live with that … but today?? No way.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
Lincecum and Sanchez are pretty good. They can beat anyone two days in a row.
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 29, 2008 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Spare me that nonsense ... please .. SF is a really, really, really bad team.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING!
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
I hope you drop that baby.
"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"
Blanket
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe they'll have on of those weird offensive days
And they’ll have a six run inning or something.
Because he’s Blanton, though, he should be good to pitch until the end of the eighth inning now.
RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.
This takes me back to last night's game
You can explain away last night’s various brain freezes as just one of those things, it all evens out, et cetera.
But a game like today’s was bound to happen, and that’s what bugs me. You can’t throw away games when your pitcher is dominant but your offense doesn’t know how to run the bases, or bunt, or do anything to press the issue against a tough pitcher.
Now you’ve got Blanton against Sanchez, with our current lineup, and last night’s game looks ever worse.
Hey Joe...
Did you have a brain tumor for breakfast?
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 2:09 PM PDT reply actions
Lots of anger today
This can’t come as much of a surprise. Most of the decent hitters on this team are sitting.
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
Anger
Weekend home games are typically the most negative game threads.
I think it’s because the positive people are more likely to either at the game or busy elsewhere, while negative people are more likely to be at home following the game thread. Lots of exceptions, of course (including all NRAFs), but still enough to make a noticeable difference.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
In fairness
It’s hard to watch today’s game without being negative.
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Jun 29, 2008 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions
It's the nastiness that really gets to me
The really vitriolic fat jokes and such. Jesus, chill out a little, y’know?
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
No kidding - whatever we may think or feel
we usually keep it to ourselves and speak in a more measured way. Sometimes the game threads are like walking into the merger of an Aspergers and Tourette’s convention.
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
Ha ha ha - I laugh at that point!
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
I HATE BLANTON
Just cuz you get double fudge and double burgers doesn’t mean you should give up FOUR doubles in one inning… not everything double is great fatass.
Brown?
Isn’t a game like this the reason to have a long man? Why have Gaudin wasted in the bullpen just to throw the occasional inning?
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 2:12 PM PDT reply actions
Oh good lord.
Bullpen, please!
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.
Can we sacrifice Blanton on the mound right now?
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
So what is he then, a pigfucker?
Is Nico jellus?
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
What's the deal with Andrew Brown?
Why bother using him now? He has been one of the team’s more effective relievers, and now he’s the garbage time guy.
Because Geren is a retard
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Jun 29, 2008 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Certainly the bullpen usage has been questionable, especially in the middle innings.
Some bright interviewer should ask Geren, Young or Beane about it.
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 29, 2008 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Dear Marketing Department,
Shut up next time. It’s such a classic Woofing Gods blunder.
Thirded
Fourthed by Cindi.
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
I'm sure Blanton sucking has nothing to do with a newspaper ad.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
No but it makes us look doubly silly when we mouth off and then suck
rather than sucking in silence
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 29, 2008 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions
The players didn't mouth off about anything.
And so what? The A’s won the season series?
You guys are being little girls about this. Oh my God, a snarky ad in the paper!
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
So we don't have anything to be pissed off about today?
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 29, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm a little more pissed off about the way Blanton pitched...
...than I am about some ad.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
All I know is this
A’s Say nothing: They win seven games in a row against the Giants, and 10 of 11
A’s organization starts woofing: They lose two of three, including today’s rout.
‘Nuff said.
No reason to believe there's any relation between the two.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
By the way
Games like last night where they strike out a lot and don’t execute? Had ‘em before.
Blanton stinking? Seen that before, too.
That happens with or without an ad.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
Sucking In Silence
Wasn’t that on Cinemax last night?
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions
THAT'S IT
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 2:14 PM PDT reply actions
Piss on this shit
if i want to see one sissy beat that crap out of another sissy i would go watch a chat over at www.sissyfight.com/
Good Lord what a terrible outing: 4IP/8 hits/5 earned runs.
There’s no way Beane ever gets the 3 “building block prospects” he is seeking for Joe.
A second half more like his career norm = Decent value over the winter meetings
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
Blanton's career norm:
4.18 ERA 1.33 WHIP
That’s not going to get the A’s anything worthwhile.
Beane should’ve traded Blanton after the first half of last year when he was way overperforming.
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Jun 29, 2008 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Interesting looking at his stats
3.53 ERA in 2005, 4.82 in 2006, and 3.95 in 2007. ERA is a defense-dependent stat, but that’s still more variation than I would expect given the quality of the A’s defense. But given the fact that this league employs morons like Bill Bavasi, I still think eating innings and putting in above-average seasons twice out of three times gets you some value. Just maybe not Cueto and Votto.
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
I was just about to post that
This should about end the Blanton trade talks. You don’t get anything for 5-ish ERA pitchers with mediocre peripherals.
Finally people here are ripping
on this no good, fat, fucking totally worthless POS who does not deserve to put a uniform on. I hope he smashes the wall and cannot pitch again.
Now, ask me how I really feel
Fuck that fat pig.
I am done being negative for the day so don’t worry. It can only get better
Yeah, I totally wish Dallas Braden was pitching right now
Or Lenny DiNardo.
Or Shane Komine.
Or Jason Windsor.
Or Dan Meyer.
Wait… shit.
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
Career 4.35 ERA
Including a 4.42 in 2007. This is me not impressed.
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
2.32 ERA first half
Pitched second half injured.
Much better stuff, higher upside than Blanton.
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Jun 29, 2008 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions
He has a slider
I’m not saying he sucks by any means, but that’s about all he’s got. Besides control issues. If anything, he and Blanton are a wash in terms of output.
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
Chad Gaudin
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Amazing how a meh half season (with some good sprinkled in there) can totally change an opinion on a player
This is one of those shining moments that exemplifies why fans don’t run teams.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 29, 2008 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
like punching five holes in the bottom of a bucket
“I’m through punching holes here. Go ahead, the bucket’s all yours…”
I mean, yes, the A’s are losing. Too bad. Next time you have made a major league roster with your ability, let us know.
Nasty nasty ad hominem commentary is for Lookout Landing.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on Jun 29, 2008 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions
But... but I play baseball video games!
That makes me a GM, yeah?
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
Going back to July 3 of last year
Blanton has thrown more than 111 pitches exactly 3 times (June 12 and his last start, June 24, this season).
And each time, his subsequent start has been totally horrendous.
Here are the games
7/3/07: 122 pitches
7/8/07: 6 IP, 12 H, 6 R (92 pitches)
—-—-
6/12/08: 118 pitches
6/18/08: 3 IP, 7 H, 3 BB, 8 R (75 pitches)
—-—-
6/24/08: 119 pitches
6/29/08: 4+ IP, 8 H, 7 R (78 pitches)
Only 78 today
So he’ll be fine for his next start!
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
its been real and its been fun
but it has not been real fun so good luck and await the amazing comeback or the blow out which ever come first my bey is they score 14 today and the final is 14-2
DFA BLANTON!!! LYNCH GEREN!!! KILL A CHICKEN!!!
That is all.
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
Yeah, just none of them worked today.
"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL
Couldn't we just beat Blanton with a tire iron and make fun of his weight?
I mean, let’s be reasonable, here.
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
Well Blanton is our
5th Starter.. what do you expect outta a 5th starter?
When will then be now? Soon.
Serious question on Blanton
A game thread isn’t a good time to this up, so I’m sure I will regret this:
What do you do with him? His trade value is nil. His performance is even worse when you factor in the improved pitching performances around the league. Blanton starts seem like automatic losses, with some occasional exceptions.
Meanwhile, Gaudin has been biding his time, being a good solider. He hasn’t been fantastic, but it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t deserve a chance to start in Blanton’s place.
On the other hand, Gaudin has been fairly effective as a reliever, and has experience in the role.
Blanton is a starter. If he’s in the bullpen, all he can do is be a long man. In the A’s system, that means he rots. That’s hardly a way to fix the situation. Then again, he’s on pace for 20 losses.
I leave it to the angry masses to debate.
Gaudin's already only really being used when the A's are behind
Let him start and put Blanton in that role.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
Depends on how competitive you see the A's are going to be the rest of the year
If you think the A’s have a pretty good shot at the playoffs, you go with Gaudin, who’s the better pitcher at this point. If you wanna continue with the rebuilding theme, you stick with Blanton, hope he pitches well to recoup some of that trade value, then trade him in the offseason.
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Jun 29, 2008 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Beane missed his chance to trade Blanton
Last July or last offseason was the time to do it.
Now, Blanton’s value has evaporated.
If Blanton pitches well enough the rest of the year to recoup any trade value at all, then Beane might as well hang onto him as a (slightly) above-average innings-eater, and squeeze every penny he can out of Joe’s arm. The performance value would be greater than whatever Beane could get for him in trade.
Can an aging lemur suffer from dementia? @('.')@
Good points
i definitely agree that Beane held onto Blanton too long.
My guess is that the A’s continue to start Blanton and he pitches slightly better in the second half (4.50 ERA with a ton of innings). Not enough to entice some GM to trade good value for him so the A’s will be keeping him for 09.
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Jun 29, 2008 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions
That's my guess
I don’t know how the A’s braintrust will deal with the whole 20 loss thing, if it comes to that.
But I doubt he’s tradeable, unless Beane is going to give him away or Blanton suddenly starts pitching really well.
It may not be the worst thing for Blanton to hang around. He probably gets better, and provides insurance in case of injury to other starters.
good question
I I don’t know how to answer it, but I do think that how the team manages Blanton may be the surest (perhaps only publicly scrutable) indicator of whether Beane/Forst et al. think the team is “in contention” the rest of the year. If Blanton is demoted (to the ‘pen, to Sacto, neither of which I advocate or oppose), then the team obviously feels that a better chance to win every fifth day trumps whatever else they think/plan with Blanton.
Can an aging lemur suffer from dementia? @('.')@
I think the A's should double Blanton's salary,
write “FITZ” on the bill of his cap, and make him throw left-handed.
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
Automatic losses?
Some of the games that he lost:
4/1 6.0 IP, 2 ER
4/6 6.2 IP, 2 ER
5/2 7.0 IP, 2 ER
5/14 7.0 IP, 2 ER
6/6 7.0 IP, 2 ER
His team scored a total of 6 runs in those 5 games. If he had won those games, then his record would have been 9-5, which is not too shabby anymore. Now look at the games that he won:
4/11 7.2 IP, 5 ER
4/27 7.0 IP, 2 ER
5/25 6.0 IP, 3 ER
6/24 7.0 IP, 1 ER
It’s not as if his team is picking him up except for the 4/11 win, so let’s call it 8-6. That’s 8 very good shots (2 ER or less in 6+ innings) to win the game out of 18 starts.
This isn’t to say that Blanton is actually pitching well this year. But “automatic loss” is just unfair when last I looked, the A’s have yet to score their second run today. Since the best pitcher by ERA right now still gives up 1.91 runs per game, clearly there’s a bigger problem than your worst performing starter whose rotation spot pits him against the best.
Casilla
It makes more sense to use him, given his struggles since returning from the DL.
By the way, Brown picked a good time to stink. Nobody will notice.
I'm assuming Brown was the choice because
he needed work and was the one guy who was going to pitch today anyway. Geren hoped he could get out of Blanton’s mess and then you could go to Gaudin, Casilla, Ziggy, whatever later on. Didn’t work out because Brown wasn’t very good, but that was probably the plan.
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
Brown is their worst reliever, imo (which is not to say he's bad)
no problem with him pitching there.
The A's colors are green and gold.
until Casilla shows us he's fully recovered, I'd award that designation to him
Of course, I wouldn’t bring Casilla in in the 4th.
Can an aging lemur suffer from dementia? @('.')@
So I am guessing that this outing is not showing us that he is recovered....: )
There is no A in OFFENSE!!
by wacchampions on Jun 29, 2008 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions
"their" worst reliever?
If we were winning, he would be “our” worst reliever.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
somehow I don't think he'll still be around by then
Can an aging lemur suffer from dementia? @('.')@
by the time the team actually moves to Fremont ...
... PT could be the lead attorney in a class-action suit against the franchise.
Can an aging lemur suffer from dementia? @('.')@
Is that like,
“My son made the honor roll – did you see the mess your son just made in the living room?” when you only have one kid?
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
So this is not exactly the way that we should go into our Big series down south!!
BTW: I hate all A’s Players when they suck Joe Blanton included, I really like A’s players when they are good and don’t suck!
There is no A in OFFENSE!!
Casilla
He’s not really inspiring much confidence right now, is he?
The runs today don’t matter. But at the moment, I don’t want him in any game the A’s have a chance to win.
Don't worry - if he's in, the A's won't have a chance to win!
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
Ever since he gave up that Home run and then went on the DL he has not been right...
There is no A in OFFENSE!!
by wacchampions on Jun 29, 2008 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
shows you
that baseball is 90% physical as well as 90% mental…
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on Jun 29, 2008 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I've turned my attention to SoCal
LAA leads 1-0 in the bottom of the 7th. Lackey currently holding LA to 2 hits.
by SwisherThresher on Jun 29, 2008 2:59 PM PDT reply actions
And once again, Lackey is dominating
yeesh
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
true
schedule pitching match-ups:
Smith vs Garland
Harden vs Santana
Eveland vs Saunders
by SwisherThresher on Jun 29, 2008 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Still, pretty tough matchups for the A's
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Jun 29, 2008 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I like the first two
third one not so much. Tomorrow’s game will be big.
The A's colors are green and gold.
Haren gave up one run in 7 innings
But Arizona lost to Florida. Haren no decision.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on Jun 29, 2008 3:03 PM PDT reply actions
There's times when I wonder
whether or not we could’ve traded Blanton to Arizona for Gonzalez, Anderson, and Eveland and kept Haren. Sure we wouldn’t have gotten Smith, Cunningham, and Carter, but I would’ve taken that deal.
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Jun 29, 2008 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
AZ would'n't have taken that?
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Jun 29, 2008 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I remember stories saying explicitly
AZ was interested only in Haren among our starters, didn’t even want to talk about anyone else.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
Gonzalez was as safe as it gets but I guess it doesn't matter today
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
I'm liking Rajai the more and more he plays.
Of course, now that I said that, Geren will over-expose him and he’ll start struggling and be immediately relegated to pinch-runner duties for the remainder of the season…
He's a guy who could have a .300 OBP and still help you
Unfortunately, he may also be a guy who can’t even manage a .300 OBP.
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
The worst part about today
is having to listen to the Giants announcers. Someone kill me now.
Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.
And there we go, a Ziggy/Lewis matchup
No ball off the head for Ziggy this time, yay!
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
Blanton for Gaudin trade
Insert Chad into the starting rotation and put Joe in the pen as the long man.
Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.
The third string
I don’t know where the toilets at, but I know where the A’s are! They sure aren”t playing today, they made a suck team look good.
Let Bowen Pitch The 9th
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 3:17 PM PDT reply actions
After today, the A's could be 4.5 games out...
while the Giants are going to be 5.0 games out in the NL West.
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
Ah, we're getting such mileage out of Chad Gaudin!
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
Seriously, what is Geren thinking?
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
Seriously, what is Gaudin thinking?
Throwing to first?
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
Unbelievable
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
HAH.
hahahaha
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.
Well, the marketing department got one thing right.
Really wasn’t much of a battle today.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
Not 100% sure
But I think he has at least one option left
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions
IIRC, you never have options after
you’ve been three full seasons, so I don’t think Blanton could have options left. It’s really just between switching him with Gaudin and leaving it as is. Both make sense, frankly, and both are fine by me. Switching them just until the ASB might be a reasonable “minor shakeup”.
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
I think Nico is right
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions
You probably just "cut and paste" that, right?
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
It's tattooed on my forehead
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I think that's wrong.
I think options still count until he’s eligible for free agency, which he isn’t yet.
We need one of those smarty-guys who understand the rules to figure it out for us.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
In the game recap thread there's clarification
that suggests that, shockingly, I am indeed wrong.
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
Makes mental note
Never agree with Nico again.
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions
How many is that?
Like a million called 3rd strikes on Cust this year?
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 3:36 PM PDT reply actions
You'd think, but actually it's only 874,563
It always seems like more when it’s your team.
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
The Tease is on in LA
2 outs, bottom of the 9th, K-Rod just walked the bases loaded.
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.
A bloop, a bloop, my kingdom for a bloop!
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
Tease in LA
Still $250?
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 29, 2008 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Angels win.
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
The third string
What a wasted afternoon, thank you A’s. I know you Giant fans feel real good, but just know Blanton sucks!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
