The A's look to break even in this series with Rangers, sending Dana Eveland to the hill. Eveland is opposed by Vicente Padilla.

It's hard for me to believe we're already halfway through September, with only 14 games remaining including today's. As depressing as the second half has been this season, it's flown right by.

I'm not sure whether Ray Fosse and Mark Ellis addressed this in Ray's pregame interview show, but Ellis is apparently leaning toward having two offseason shoulder surgeries: one to clean up his recent cartilage damage, and another to fix the labrum tear caused by Crosby in 2004.

Also, apprently Buck, Gonzalez, and Denorfia will all be coming back up to the parent club once Sacto's season ends. Many questions remain for the A's here at the tail end of the season -- time to see what the various fellas have to potentially contribute in '09.