Athletics Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Check out our NFL Scoreboard: scores, schedule and blogs Bar-right-arrows

Open Thread: Game 60 - A's vs. Tigers

Baseball_tiny by baseballgirl on

Detroit Tigers @ Oakland Athletics


Wow! It seems like it has been a very long time since the A's won the first two games of a series and were in line for a sweep, but here we are!

After winning both of their previous games via the walk-off hit (yes, even the unorthodox infield single last night counts as a hit), this afternoon the A's turn to Justin Duchscherer in an attempt to steal the whole series, and remain 3 1/2 games behind the can't-lose Angels, who are playing some T-ball team from Seattle again today.

I say that with complete understanding of the frustration that Mariners' fans are feeling about their season to date, and I imagine it's the same for the fans of Detroit, who have had to watch maybe the best lineup in baseball struggle game after game after game through the first sixty.

I firmly believe that the only thing keeping the A's from a similar fate so far has been their unbelievable, amazing, out-of-this-world pitching, which has been covering for the offense most of this year, and battling even harder recently after the loss of Thomas and the Sweeneys. A symptom of deep offensive trouble (for both teams!): Last night's game in which twenty-two walks were issued and eleven innings were played, and the final score went into the books as a paltry 5-4.

However, there is something to be said for scoring just enough to win, and it's hard to argue with this week's results. It's also hard not to look on the bright side of the Cust/Ellis/Buck homers on Sunday, a Barton homer Monday, and a Chavez homer last night. If any of those power surges can be repeated on a semi-regular basis, things might get interesting in the AL West head-to-head match-up this weekend.

But the A's need to win again today, and they're going to have to beat yet another LHP, as streaky Nate Robertson faces off against Duchscherer.

Lineup

Detroit Tigers @ Oakland Athletics

06/04/08 12:35 PM PDT

Detroit TigersOakland Athletics
Curtis Granderson - CF Jack Hannahan - 3B
Carlos Guillen - 3B Mark Ellis - 2B
Marcus Thames - LF Jack Cust - DH
Magglio Ordonez - RF Bobby Crosby - SS
Jeff Larish - DH Emil Brown - LF
Miguel Cabrera - 1B Daric Barton - 1B
Ivan Rodriguez - C Travis Buck - RF
Ramon Santiago - SS Carlos Gonzalez - CF
Ryan Raburn - 2B Rob Bowen - C

LET'S GO OAK-LAND!!!!

0 recs | Comment 328 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

I feel sorta weird about saying this but....

I feel more comfortable with Dutch starting than anyone else (even Harden). While (VERY) under the radar, he’s becoming sort of similar to Haren last year in my mind. He simply gets the job done. And just maybe Buck has turned the corner.

If Ellis and Chavez can get going by the time we get Frank back, we could be VERY dangerous down the stretch. But that’s thinking way ahead. Nate Robertson, like all the Tigers starters, has had a tough start to his season. But he’s more than capable.

And just a reminder, these guys did sweep us in the ALCS just two seasons ago.

So every chance we get against them we should be out for revenge!

by thashyt on Jun 4, 2008 11:37 AM PDT   0 recs

Lineups

Us

Hannahan, 3B
Ellis, 2B
Cust, DH
Crosby, SS
Brown, LF
Barton, 1B
Buck, RF
Cargo, CF
Bowen, C

Them
Granderson, CF
Guillen, 3B
Thames, LF
Ordonez, RF
Larish, DH
Cabrera, 1B
Rodriguez, C
Santiago, SS
Raburn, 2B

NO POLANCOOOOOOOOOOOOO

by noava22 on Jun 4, 2008 12:02 PM PDT   0 recs

this is all courtesy of the "worldwide leader"

According to Accuscore, we’re .56 to win. Also, Cust is .221 to go yard today.

by noava22 on Jun 4, 2008 12:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Geez, looks like plenty of pinch hitting gonna happen here!

by tomoyo on Jun 4, 2008 12:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

by whom?

Who has Cust love, besides us? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 4, 2008 12:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

5 lefties too

wish we had Thomas or Sweeney.

by oaktownmario on Jun 4, 2008 12:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Duke

Hey I said the same thing about Duke back when he was our absolutely killer shutdown reliever. Back then he was top tier relief for a couple years. I’m honestly not so certain about him being quite as killer as a starter, but even being a 2nd starter would be awesomeness.

by tomoyo on Jun 4, 2008 12:06 PM PDT   0 recs

The A's lineup makes me a bit queasy

Not blaming Geren, but, ew.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 4, 2008 12:06 PM PDT   0 recs

QOTM contender, double play division

.463 chance of selection

"You have to have a catcher or you'll have all passed balls."- Casey Stengel

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 4, 2008 1:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The A's pitching isn't amazing, unbelievable, or out of this world

Nor is the hitting horrendous, atrocious, or Satanic.

It’s the ballpark. (And whatever league-wide effects have caused offense to faceplant—de-juiced baseballs?) Crosby’s .707 OPS (prior to last night’s game) ranked him a league-average hitter. Dana Eveland’s 3.82 ERA ranked him a league-average pitcher.

For whatever reasons, the Coliseum is playing like Petco this year. It is insanely difficult (by recent standards) to score runs there.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 4, 2008 12:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Nice

At least I think you’re joking. Sometimes it’s hard to tell around here.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 4, 2008 12:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I was joking.

And it is hard to tell. Maybe AN 10.0 needs to incorporate real time video of when each of us is typing. That might help.

Then we could all flip each other off to make it real clear.

by oaktownmario on Jun 4, 2008 12:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

We need a middle finger emoticon

That’ll save lots of typing

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 4, 2008 12:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

JD, I noticed you're a Blackhawks fan

for some odd reason, I am too. But I am fairly ignorant of the “farm system” and future players. Heck, I’m not even that familiar with the third and fourth lines.

Think they’ll finally make the playoffs next year? I was pretty pleased with how they finished and made a run at the end this year.

by oaktownmario on Jun 4, 2008 12:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I watch as many as I can

but unfortunately vs chanell always seems to televise only red wing games. Damn them red wings!

I did watch the Hawks in LA and Ana in person though. That was fun.

by oaktownmario on Jun 4, 2008 12:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hawks TV

Ever since the new owner took over last season his mandate was to increase the local tv of hawks games as they were not previously shown. you should get more access to games next season.

And if you can’t or are out of market, this site is good for watching online…

http://www.hockeywebcasts.com/

by TheGreenGoldCrush on Jun 4, 2008 12:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks for the link.

I am out of market and unfortunately I only am able to spring the $ for the EI package.

by oaktownmario on Jun 4, 2008 12:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, once Bill Wirtz died

And his son took over, everything changed. Home games on TV, bringing in John McDonough (who used to be with the Cubs as, basically, a marketing guy), bringing back Pat Foley for the upcoming season. A lot of peripheral stuff, but it’s going to make the experience as a fan a lot better.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 4, 2008 12:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Are you a Chicagoan?

Because there’s not many Hawks fans left here, much less elsewhere.

Anyway, my hockey knowledge is still growing since I’ve only really gotten into the sport over the last 3 years. But I really like what I see from the young players. Kane and Toews are probably going to end up 1-2 in ROY (did they hand out that award yet?). Patrick Sharp has emerged as a true front-line forward. And they still have the enigmatic Harden-esque Martin Havlat.

But even with Kane and Toews, I think the biggest bright spot on the team is Duncan Keith. He’s one of the best young defensemen in the league (and was an All-Star this year). Seabrook and Barker are promising, too.

A lot of people are down on Khabibulin, but I think it’s pretty unfair. He’s been solid. Overpaid, maybe, but he’s been good for the most part. If he were making less money and didn’t have a reputation, nobody would complain about him. But, on the bright side, Corey Crawford should be ready to take over soon.

The only reason they missed out on the playoffs this year was that Toews missed a month. I think barring more injuries they’re a lock for the postseason next year.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 4, 2008 12:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No I'm from Calgary

But Cam Barker played junior near here, for the medicine hat tigers. He will be extremely good.

Duncan Keith is already one of the top young dmen in the league, seabrook too. Not dion phaneuf good though, but not many are at his level (j/k : ) )

Toews would have won the ROY hands down if he didn’t get injured. I think Kane will win it, unless carey price from montreal edges him out. Toews is an unbelievable talent. He will be top 5 players in the league in no time. Sharp has played great, and dustin byuflin really emerged out of nowhere.

The young core of players they have, and the harden like havlat, they are going to have a great team there in no time. The fans who have a long history of supporting the hawks (but its been bleak the last several years) will start comming back. One playoff run and hockey will be huge again in chi town. They will have a product on the ice that is too good to ignore. It will be better than the belfour / roenick days.

I don’t watch many teams beyond the flames, but watching the hawks is something i will do because they are entertaining and very talented young core.

And yes, i would say its almost a lock they make the playoffs next year. with or without havlat being healthy

by TheGreenGoldCrush on Jun 4, 2008 12:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

To support this:

A’s ERA at home: 2.94
A’s ERA on the road: 4.23

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 4, 2008 12:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Compared to what I thought it would be, yeah, yeah it is.

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

by baseballgirl on Jun 4, 2008 12:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Chavez status?

Are they just giving him two days off in a row, or did he get injured while sliding into Pudge last night?

What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.

by KMoAsFan on Jun 4, 2008 12:11 PM PDT   0 recs

11 innings at 3b

he’ll probably ph late, but giving his legs, back and shoulder a rest, most likely.

by noava22 on Jun 4, 2008 12:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, that play at the plate worried me too

Hope he’s ok.

Please post any updates . . .

by oaktownmario on Jun 4, 2008 12:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Eh

After last night’s game, and with another lefty on the mound, why not give him the day off?

Even healthy Chavez has barely been better than a replacement level bat against lefthanders anyway. So there’s not much point in DHing him.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 4, 2008 12:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yupp.

vR: 282/362/524 (112 OPS+)
vL: 239/309/396 (70 OPS+)

I’m absoutely fine with giving Chavez the day off against lefties. All the time.

by rageon on Jun 4, 2008 12:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So, how about them sharks?

Rumors that Marleau’s on the way out, and Tortorella on the way in? Discuss.

by noava22 on Jun 4, 2008 12:33 PM PDT   0 recs

Tortorella has won a cup

"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse

by kbtoyz on Jun 4, 2008 12:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Also Pollack rejected the supposed Colombus rumor yesterday

I don’t know if he’ll get traded, although somebody needs to go

"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse

by kbtoyz on Jun 4, 2008 12:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He didn't reject it

lots of people shot it down. he also said it was a rumor from a credible source, so he ran with it.

by noava22 on Jun 4, 2008 12:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Seven pitches?!?

Way to go, Duke! :)

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on Jun 4, 2008 12:40 PM PDT   0 recs

Extremely efficient 1st

"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse

by kbtoyz on Jun 4, 2008 12:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Complete game = 72 pitches

(Have to allow for a couple of eight-pitch “trouble” innings.) :Þ

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on Jun 4, 2008 12:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Chavez' legs are not feeling great.

I guess that’s better than his back.

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

by baseballgirl on Jun 4, 2008 12:43 PM PDT   0 recs

He hasn't been running well

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 4, 2008 12:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He's still getting up to game speed

Really, he’s still going through his own Spring Training a bit. It’ll take some time for his conditioning to return

"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse

by kbtoyz on Jun 4, 2008 12:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed.

Legs can be built back up through rest, then weights, general use grin, etc. If his back goes wonky…yikes.

BTW, BBG – Looks like my family and I may be coming down to Sac in July – and maybe around AN Day weekend! :) I’ll let you know for sure so I might be able to get a ticket or two.

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on Jun 4, 2008 12:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, my legs wouldn't feel too great

after that “slide” into Pudge the plate last night, either.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 4, 2008 12:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I like Duke

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 4, 2008 12:44 PM PDT   0 recs

He's neat.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 4, 2008 12:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I've been watching the Detroit feed on Extra Innings

And I have to day, their announcers are some of the best in the game. Very knowledgable, they point out relevant stats, and they know things about the opposing team. Such a better, more professional team than say I don’t know Rex Hudler and The FSN West crew

"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse

by kbtoyz on Jun 4, 2008 12:44 PM PDT   0 recs

I disagree

I think Rod Allen is in the bottom 5 or 6 among color commentators. He’s black Duane Kuiper.

However, Allen is part of one of my all-time favorite baseball youtube videos, so I guess he gets a pass.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 4, 2008 12:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Really?

To be fair Duane Kuiper is a play by play man. And while I have only listened to Allen maybe a dozen times I find him to be pretty good. And without the crap catch phrases of Krukow

"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse

by kbtoyz on Jun 4, 2008 12:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh, I meant Krukow

Whoever calls people meat. That’s who I can’t stand.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 4, 2008 12:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Great video! Haha

I am Ray Fosse's man crushes for Clay Wood and Jason Kendall.

by franks a lot on Jun 4, 2008 12:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Haven't seen the Detroit games.

But the Rangers announcers last weekend are just AWFUL.

by rageon on Jun 4, 2008 12:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That would be armageddon...

"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse

by kbtoyz on Jun 4, 2008 12:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Did Ben Affleck show up in the booth?

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on Jun 4, 2008 12:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I could go for some animal crackers right now.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 4, 2008 12:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Heh heh...

Quite possibly the worst Wild Kingdom reenactment I’ve ever seen…

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on Jun 4, 2008 12:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I liked them...had them last night

Found them knowledgable, not to ‘homer-ish’, and overall, pretty interesting.

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

by baseballgirl on Jun 4, 2008 12:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agree. I really like their announcers.

Seem like nice guys and are very good.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 4, 2008 1:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Memo

To EB
From FE
Date 6/4/08
RE First pitch

Nobody is going to throw you a first pitch fastball.

by Future Ed on Jun 4, 2008 12:50 PM PDT   0 recs

Sure they will

Pitchers still throw Moises Alou and Alfonso Soriano first-pitch fastballs and I’m pretty sure that’s all either guy can hit.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 4, 2008 12:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Whats up all?

I just logged on, I was suprised to see that Emil was not moved up in the order.

by asfaninpismobeach on Jun 4, 2008 12:51 PM PDT   0 recs

Another 1 pitch AB for Detroit

"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse

by kbtoyz on Jun 4, 2008 12:52 PM PDT   0 recs

Response

To FE
From EB
Date 6/4/08
RE RE First Pitch

Who cares? I’m not in Kansas anymore.

by noava22 on Jun 4, 2008 12:52 PM PDT