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Open Thread: Game 83 - A's at Angels

Goat_tiny by Nico on

Having scored only two runs since Wednesday, the Angels are probably not thrilled about facing Rich Harden tonight. But while a healthy Harden seemingly owns everyone, historically Ervin Santana has owned the A's to no lesser a degree. Santana is 8-1 with a 1.38 ERA in his career against Oakland.

However...There is a ray of hope. The A's have a lefty-heavy hitting brigade and in 2008 so far, Santana's lefty/righty splits have been dramatic: He is holding right-handed batters to a WHIP of 0.86, compared to a WHIP of 1.32 for lefties.

If you look at which A's have had a particular lack of success again E. Santana, you see right-handed batters Kurt Suzuki (0/9) and Bobby Crosby (1/17), while the only batter with any history of success is lefty Eric Chavez (8/22). So while the red-hot Suzuki still gets the nod over the switch-hitting Rob Bowen, he is one of only three right-handed batters in tonight's lineup, which is thusly and as follows:

R. Sweeney - RF
Suzuki - C
Cust - LF
Chavez - DH
Crosby - SS
Gonzalez - CF
Ellis - 2B
Hannahan - 3B
Barton - 1B

Hoping to find the right formula, Mike Scioscia has Maicer Izturis batting third and has put Vlad in the outfield:

Figgins - 3B
Kotchman - 1B
Izturis - SS
Guerrero - RF
Hunter - CF
Anderson - DH
Matthews - LF
Kendrick - LF
Mathis - C

Today's "fun fact": Ervin Santana began the season by making 7 consecutive "quality starts," but since then he has allowed 3 ER or fewer in only 4 of his 9 starts.

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First!

HA HA HA I WIN!

by Philip Christy on Jul 1, 2008 6:52 PM PDT   0 recs

lets get it on! de wango de tango

(been a shut in today, so i was waiting for the thread with baited breath)

alaska A

by ak_A on Jul 1, 2008 6:52 PM PDT   0 recs

Let's hope Harden matches your "shut in"

with a “shut out”...

(YINX)

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 Jul 1, 2008 6:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

so shut in, that i almost tried to get

a list of pen pals (of inmates in upscale federal women prisons only)

alaska A

by ak_A on Jul 1, 2008 6:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

When you move to Denver,

we’ll practically be neighbors. We can take turns inviting Nevada over.

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 Jul 1, 2008 6:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

All I have are hookers and several STDs,

and somehow I don’t think Nevada will be all that impressed.

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 Jul 1, 2008 7:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I have no life

which feels like jail, do I qualify?

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jul 1, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jul 1, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jul 1, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

When Rich gets to start on Canada Day

I think we’re guaranteed a win, eh?

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jul 1, 2008 7:02 PM PDT   0 recs

YINX!!!

Eh?

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 Jul 1, 2008 7:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

beauty

alaska A

by ak_A on Jul 1, 2008 7:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I like the info on Santana

I’m hopeful that today is the day we finally rock him.

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jul 1, 2008 7:02 PM PDT   0 recs

When's the last time two teams no-hit each other?

I just looked up the A’s career numbers against Santana. The current roster has 5 extra-base hits and no home runs in 136 at-bats. It’s like fielding an entire team of Jason Kendalls.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Jul 1, 2008 7:04 PM PDT   0 recs

I'd like to see an A's win this evening.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jul 1, 2008 7:06 PM PDT   0 recs

Hey everybody. I sold my soul to the devil so that we could

beat Ervin Santana. YOU”RE WELCOME….

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 1, 2008 7:07 PM PDT   0 recs

Really?

I could’ve sworn your soul was worth only two Wednesday Plaza reserve tickets.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jul 1, 2008 7:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Another hit!

Atta boyz!

by paradox on Jul 1, 2008 7:08 PM PDT   0 recs

Why is it so quiet?

Are people on shrooms? 2 on no out!

by paradox on Jul 1, 2008 7:09 PM PDT   0 recs

Maybe,

because no one expects the early action.

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jul 1, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Jack KKKust

It's not worth winning if you can't win big!

-Coach Reilly from the Might Ducks

by Swishdball on Jul 1, 2008 7:09 PM PDT   0 recs

I didn't know Cust was a racist

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jul 1, 2008 7:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I just noticed that. I meant he is an automatic strikeout. I doubt he's racist

It's not worth winning if you can't win big!

-Coach Reilly from the Might Ducks

by Swishdball on Jul 1, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

put him in the 6th spot

In 37 PAs in the 6th hole, his BA is.406 and OPS=1.345

In the 3rd hole, he’s sub-Mendoza.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Jul 1, 2008 7:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You go Suzuki!

Prove to Nico that batter/pitcher stats aren’t able to predict future performance! :P

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jul 1, 2008 7:09 PM PDT   0 recs

Back-to-back hits to lead off the game?

I like that.

Photography Page | Flickr

by Kimberly on Jul 1, 2008 7:09 PM PDT   0 recs

in light of that performance last night...

it would be fitting for cust to hit a HR right now.

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

by KMoAsFan on Jul 1, 2008 7:09 PM PDT   0 recs

Maybe next time

by justarebelheart on Jul 1, 2008 7:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no surprise there.

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

by KMoAsFan on Jul 1, 2008 7:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

definitely cost us a run this inning.

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

by KMoAsFan on Jul 1, 2008 7:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

GET A FRIGGIN HITTER!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not worth winning if you can't win big!

-Coach Reilly from the Might Ducks

by Swishdball on Jul 1, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ho hum

alaska A

by ak_A on Jul 1, 2008 7:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Crowd is dead in Anaheim too

I’ve been listening lately, it’s different.

by paradox on Jul 1, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

like Santana of the ball

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jul 1, 2008 7:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Tuned in late

How was the run scored?

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jul 1, 2008 7:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Some guy on the A's crossed the plate.

There's no textbook for how to treat a geriatric tapir.

by Poppy on Jul 1, 2008 7:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

SOME GUY?!?

RYAN. SWEENEY.

by Jennifer on Jul 1, 2008 7:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I KNOW.

I pay attention to all the accomplishments of my Sweeney love child.

There's no textbook for how to treat a geriatric tapir.

by Poppy on Jul 1, 2008 7:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

we don’t get enough of that

(grumble)

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jul 1, 2008 7:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Santana reached for the ball,

ricocheted off his glove past the second baseman.

by Jennifer on Jul 1, 2008 7:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ha ha ha

eat me, LA

by paradox on Jul 1, 2008 7:12 PM PDT   0 recs

WOO!

Especially sweet after hearing how Santana owns Crosby…

by jonahbartlett on Jul 1, 2008 7:13 PM PDT   0 recs

yes

alaska A

by ak_A on Jul 1, 2008 7:13 PM PDT   0 recs

Santana throw ball very fast

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jul 1, 2008 7:14 PM PDT   0 recs

Hard to swing at right way

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 1, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Cust is a liability

It's not worth winning if you can't win big!

-Coach Reilly from the Might Ducks

by Swishdball on Jul 1, 2008 7:15 PM PDT   0 recs

I disagree - BUT...think the #3 spot

may not be the best place for him right now.

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 Jul 1, 2008 7:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I wouldn't mind him hitting third in Sacramento

It's not worth winning if you can't win big!

-Coach Reilly from the Might Ducks

by Swishdball on Jul 1, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So you and Swishdball agree somewhat.

He believes Oakland may not be the best place for him right now.

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 1, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

concur

It's not worth winning if you can't win big!

-Coach Reilly from the Might Ducks

by Swishdball on Jul 1, 2008 7:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Mow these fuckers down, Rich

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jul 1, 2008 7:16 PM PDT   1 recs

That was so p A N ther

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 1, 2008 7:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm telling y'all cuz you're the only people I know who might be vaguely interested

Just got back from a Lowell Spinners game where I was surprised to see one Bobby Kielty playing RF

by schmifty on Jul 1, 2008 7:16 PM PDT   0 recs

really?

What does it mean, “Lowell Spinners?” Semi-pro?

by paradox on Jul 1, 2008 7:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Red Sox Single-A

I thought he’d just sunk that low, but they say he’s on rehab assignment

by schmifty on Jul 1, 2008 7:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He only grew it that one year

His first year he buzzed it too.

It’s the most amazing major league hair I’ve ever seen. He showed up in a