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Open Game Thread: Game 82 - A's at Angels

Oakland_tiny by Blez on

Oakland Athletics @ Los Angeles Angels


Well now, what better place to start the second half of the season than against the team that's currently standing in between you and the playoffs?  I can't think of one. 

The A's travel to Anaheim to take on the Angels.  They put Greg Smith on the mound with his 4-6 record and 3.69 ERA.  He faces Jon Garland who is 7-4 with a 4.05 ERA.  Garland has had two starts against the A's this year and one was very good, one was very bad.  One start on April 28th at Angel Stadium, he allowed seven earned runs to the A's.  Then earlier this month he went seven innings and allowed only two earned runs.  Garland had a terrible April, an amazing May and has had a decent June.  Hopefully the A's can cap off his month by adding another seven earned runs to his stat line.

Smith has also started twice against the Angels this year.  He went eight innings in his first start only allowing two ER. He went sixth and a third innings earlier this month, allowing five runs, four earned, against the Halos.

Here is an interesting note from the MLB game preview. 

Geren used 64 different lineups in Oakland's first 81 games.

I don't know about you, but I love this.  The A's don't really have guys who should be hitting in certain spots in the lineup.  So play with it until you figure out where people work best. 

The A's sit four and a half games back with 81 games to play.  The second half run starts tonight.  Ryan Sweeney is back in the A's lineup tonight as is Eric Chavez.  Here is the A's lineup:

Ryan Sweeney
Suzuki
Cust
Chavez
Crosby
Gonzalez
Ellis
Hannahan
Barton

So Barton has sunk to last in the lineup.  Probably a wise choice by Geren.  Good to see Sweeney back at the top of that order.

The Angels go with this group:

Figgins
Aybar
Guerrero
Hunter
Kendrick
Matthews
Rivera
Kotchman
Napoli

The guy who scares me in this lineup more than anyone else outside of Vlad is Kendrick.  He's just such a good hitter.  Hopefully Smith can keep the lineup in check.

LET'S GO A'S!!!!!!!

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Thank God

Chavvy and Sweeney are back in the lineup!!!!

The offense is so bad without them, I feel like we just made atrade for two good bats!!!!

Go A’s!!!!

by mrod on Jun 30, 2008 6:51 PM PDT   0 recs

HEY!

Not that I want that to start becoming my nickname here, too.

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 Jun 30, 2008 7:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The A's haven't really improved much

since their last series against the Angels. So I’m not terribly optimistic about this series, the same when Blanton takes the mound.

by javaball on Jun 30, 2008 6:57 PM PDT   0 recs

Live from NY! It's Force!!!

Well here I am in NYC, right across the street from MSG on another one of my business trips to the home office. Too bad I’ll miss this series, but thank the good Lord I missed yesterday’s game, I was already way upset about Saturday night’s fiasco.

I had high hopes for this series, predicting the A’s would go into it 10 games over .500 after the halway point.

I’ve got bad feelings about this roadie, playing against 2 high-caliber and very hot ballclubs. I like the lineup tonight, let’s hope the baseball gods do as well.

Looks like a twin killing for the NY clubs, only scoring 1 run apiece. Should make for an interesting read in the papers tomorrow.

by Force on Jun 30, 2008 7:01 PM PDT   0 recs

I don't get the rampant Kendrick love

Career 99 OPS+ with a BABIP around .360 and a LD% around 16%. The high BABIP seems to be mainly due to a massive tendency to hit ground balls. 9 career HR. What do people like so much about him?

by WaddellCanseco on Jun 30, 2008 7:02 PM PDT   0 recs

He destroyed the minors at a very young age

The BBs are a problem, but his power is not as bad as it looks from his ML stats. And his swing is very impressive to watch. I hope that he continues to underachieve…

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 30, 2008 7:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The ball just jumps off his bat

I hope he’s not that good, but I fear he’s better than his career numbers so far.

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 Jun 30, 2008 7:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

His minor league numbers are impressive, but in pretty extreme hitters parks

I remain skeptical until he actually produces in the majors with a semi-reasonable BABIP and doesn’t hit more than half his balls on the ground

by WaddellCanseco on Jun 30, 2008 7:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

His babip has always been very high, and

ground balls are immune to park factors.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 30, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I love this lineup

Takes advantage of who’s swinging well and splits L/R so we don’t crumble when the great Darren Oliver comes in. First ballot hall of famer, that one.

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 Jun 30, 2008 7:03 PM PDT   0 recs

If the A's want to make the playoffs this year, they NEED a better offense.

They need one or two more bats for the lineup, and they need Right Handed bats if possible. Good bats, not Emil Brown bats.

Jason Bay. Xavier Nady. Brian Giles. We need all kinds of help wherever we can get it. If Barton can’t improve and not become Dan Johnson part 2, we need a replacement for him for the rest of the year. Likewise with Buck, and maybe even Patrol Craft.

If we did acquire Jason Bay and Xaiver Nady or Brian Giles, installing the latter acquisition at First Base, once Thomas got back we would have a decent lineup, if not a strong one.

2B Ellis
CF Sweeney
RF Bay
DH Thomas
1B Nady
LF Cust
3B Chavez
SS Crosby
C1 Suzuki

All of a sudden, that doesn’t look that bad.

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Jun 30, 2008 7:08 PM PDT   0 recs

Mets really want Nady back

interesting to see how that one will shake out

by schmifty on Jun 30, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Than get Giles

problem is that Giles has a very high salary. Though that and his age might mean he could be very cheap prospect wise.

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Jun 30, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Strike if the catcher caught it?

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 30, 2008 7:08 PM PDT   0 recs

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Road greys...

I see you too infrequently, my darlings…

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 30, 2008 7:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Thirded...with them.

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 Jun 30, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Okay, Bob

That is effing nasty. Go away.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:11 PM PDT   0 recs

He just wrapped his gum around a wad of chaw.

1. Gum is the devil.
2. That has to taste like shit.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

bocro did?

ah, i think someone on here noted that that is called a bubblewrap

by schmifty on Jun 30, 2008 7:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bob Geren

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oh, gotcha

cro’s cheek bump is probably just all chaw.
ew.

by schmifty on Jun 30, 2008 7:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I have an announcement to make...

I HATE the fucking Angels.

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 30, 2008 7:13 PM PDT   0 recs

BREAKING NEWS

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 Jun 30, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

****BREAKING NEWS****

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 30, 2008 7:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Eddie G went down.

Saltalamacchia looks like he’s been starving for three months.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Damn, that *sounded* good.

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 Jun 30, 2008 7:15 PM PDT   0 recs

It's because I've been drinking

Let me take this opportunity to apologize to everyone in advance.

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 Jun 30, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought she was an emailer?

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

it's true.

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 Jun 30, 2008 7:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"enebriated emailer"

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 30, 2008 7:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

boy have I fallen into that trap...

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 30, 2008 7:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Rays beat the RedSox btw

despite a rally in the 9th by the Sox, primarily coming off a popup hitting the roof.

Troy Percival came up lame covering third on the play, and was taken out of the game. So with the Rays seeking late inning help, perhaps a Huston Street, Alan Embree and/or Keith Foulke trade could be in the mix?

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Jun 30, 2008 7:18 PM PDT   0 recs

Everyone is walking Figgins this year...

I’m quite pleased that Smith did not.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 30, 2008 7:18 PM PDT   0 recs

OMG

They’ve replaced RyRy’s leg with a hook.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:19 PM PDT   0 recs

He could have starred in "3:10 to Yuma"

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 30, 2008 7:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't get it.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Have you seen it?

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 30, 2008 7:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The remake?

I got to the part where they burn down Batman’s barn. Then I read a spoiler and decided I didn’t want to see the ending.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

BATMAN! WOO!

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm leaving work early to catch it.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Gasp!

I was going the day it opened. I don’t know if I could do a midnight show like I did Star Wars. But this is WAY better than Star Wars.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Have you seen it ILLEGALLY?

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 30, 2008 7:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No.

HAVE YOU?! Where?

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 30, 2008 7:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nope. I thought you were more hi-tech

and just wondered. My buddy at work saw The Love Guru before I even went to opening night.

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 30, 2008 7:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Batman is the one with a peg leg!

or The Machinist if you prefer.

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 30, 2008 7:25 PM PDT