Merde.
by Nico on Apr 12, 2009 4:45 PM PDT
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PrintFinal Score: Mariners 1, A's 0
Je n'aime pas being shutout.
I think one of the reason Billy Beane brought in a lot of offense was so that his young pitchers wouldn't have throw 6.1 no-hit innings just to stay tied. louismg has a good recap of the game, so I'm here just to add some observations after attending the game.
Cahill's outing
The first 3 innings, Cahill actually looked similar to how he looked against the Angels in that he walked 3 and hit a batter, which won't cut it long-term. But once he settled into a groove, Cahill looked as good as the numbers suggest. He finally got the knuckle-curve to dip down and away as a strikeout pitch and he was a groundball machine who also showed a good high fastball to change the hitters' sightline. Innings 4-6, Cahill looked like the real deal and he should have some real confidence going into his next start.
Cabrera's 9th inning bunt
With the score 1-0 and Bedard still in, Cabrera sacrificed with Sweeney at first and nobody out. I didn't mind Ellis' bunt yesterday, because it attempted to move the tying run into scoring position with a pair of high average singles hitters (Sweeney, Cabrera) coming up, and took the bat out of Ellis' hands against a RHP.
I did not like having Cabrera sacrifice because it used up 1/3 of the outs the A's had left and took the bat out of Cabrera's hands against a LHP, in order to bring up a lower average hitter in Giambi. Compounding matters is that it opened up first base so that Wakamatsu could do exactly what he did: walk Holliday (none of the four pitches was close - it may as well have been intentional) and bring up another low average hitter in Cust. Cabrera should be swinging the bat there.
Cust's 9th inning AB
Jack Cust's at bat in the 9th was tremendous and suggests he has a chance to have a truly great season. Cust has been working with hitting coach Jim Skaaaalan on cutting down on his strikeouts without changing who he is entirely, focusing on two-strike contact by waiting longer and using the left side of the field. So far this season, Cust has gotten on base, gotten a couple extra base hits including a HR, and turned in ABs with RISP like this one. Very encouraging.
It is not difficult to construct a scenario where almost everything happens the same and the A's sweep the series. This weekend they were "just good enough to lose" and with Lester and Matsusaka up next, things are not about to get any easier.
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Re: Bunt
If you can’t count on your 3/4/5 to get the run in…then you’re us. Nothing wrong with the bunt there in my opinion.
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on Apr 12, 2009 4:50 PM PDT reply actions
The question is, what are you counting on your 3-4-5 hitters to do?
Giambi and Cust get a lot of walks, a lot of HRs, and hit for a low batting average (.240-ish). So why do you want to give up an out to get a guy from first to second with those guys coming up?
Here’s another question: If Sweeney led off the first inning with a hit, would you want Cabrera to sacrifice if it cost you 9 outs? That’s 1/3 of the outs the team has left at the time. I know, totally irrelevant – but dramatic!
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
Here's another way to put it:
In 2008, Cust (59) and Giambi (61) had 120 singles combined. Orlando Cabrera had 144.
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
would you have rather seen Sweeney stealing?
To put himself in scoring position (and out of DP) for Cabrera?
"When a player tried to jump after a goalkeeper who has the ball, to prevent the enemy from turning, then he must also pay at a bank. So he received the card anyway."
by alea iacta est on Apr 12, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Not really.
I’d rather see Cabrera take a shot at the right side hole, and if he hits into a FC, or flies out, or strikes out, Sweeney is still in “scoring position” for a Giambi, Holliday, or Cust double or HR, and will still advance to second on a walk.
Basically, I think any managing was overmanaging. Let the next few guys hit and hope for the best.
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
Respectfully disagree
Normally, I’m with you on avoiding bunting in that situation. But Bedard had been destroying the lineup all day. I’d rather get Sweeney moved into scoring position instead of risking the double play. True, you’re essentially playing for only 1 run, but if the A’s get into extra innings and start digging into the Mariners’ bullpen, I think they come out winners more often than not. In this limited example, I like the bunt call.
I just remembered I love Eric Chavez.
Just to be clear, I have no problem with playing for one run there
However, I’d argue they had a better chance of scoring one run by letting Cabrera swing than by making the first out with the highest average hitter of the three (Holliday notwithstanding as he gets walked thanks to the bunt, wouldn’t have otherwise).
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 there's a perception that bunting
automatically increases your chance of scoring one run in the inning. It doesn’t.
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 didn't want a bunt
Unlike Ellis the other night, Cabrera appears very adept and hitting to the right side over his career. I said it before they bunted that it was a wasted out.
If its a tied game with no outs then yes 100 percent
Even with the game tied I wouldn't bunt
It takes the bat out of both Cabrera’s and Holliday’s hand.
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
True
I never thought of that.
Holliday is going to have a learning period. He’s in the real hitter league now and understandable that there are new pitchers he is facing the 1st time. I am sure deep down he would rather have gone to another NL team in his contract year that an AL team in a pitchers ballpark.
I think he will hit better on the road than at home this year.
I think he'll have a slow April and then turn it on,
similar pattern to Frank Thomas in 2006. He’s a little tight, and he’s making adjustments daily with pitchers he hasn’t seen, ballparks he hasn’t hit in before, etc. I think he’ll be fine but not necessary in the next couple weeks.
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
Cust's AB was impressive.
This series has sucked, but…it has shown a lot of promise. We’re notoriously slow starters. We’ll get there.
ooooh, better than last years. Yeah, that should be the standard that lineups are judged against. --xbhaskarx
I will give him his props
He had a great AB and seems to be showing more aggression early in the count along with cutting his K’s down. I think most of his K’s have been looking out of the handful he has. Shortening the swing helps.
I wonder why the hell the last hitting coach did not work with him on this.
Thanks - I'm enjoying the new photo feature!
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've noticed that the last couple times.
It’s kind of a trip to see sarcastic/smarmy/sporkish captions beneath AP photos.
ooooh, better than last years. Yeah, that should be the standard that lineups are judged against. --xbhaskarx
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 12, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions
This team has an incredibly wide range of possible outcomes this year
Almost everything about the roster is unpredictable. The “veteran” starters who are healthy now could be anywhere from pretty good to bad; Duke could be dominant to totally unavailable; Anderson and Cahill could be successful phenoms, or could be back in AAA when Duke and Gio are healthy. Gallagher could be an excellent young prospect, or the last guy on a 12-man staff that’s missing 3 pitchers already.
Offensively, I think we have a pretty good idea of what Cabrera is likely to do. Other than that, it wouldn’t be shocking for Sweeney or Buck to hit really well, or end up riding the pine. Giambi could be over the hill; or, he could be fully capable of .260/.350/.500. Garciaparra could be useless to quite effective. Chavez, same thing. Ellis was great two years ago, not so much last year (though, IIRC, his BABIP was unluckily low last year, right?). Zook is probably pretty predictable (though the prediction would be that he’ll be okay). Cust is the only really good hitter whose performance looks predictable at this point. Even Holliday is pretty unpredictable for an established star: changing leagues; leaving the best hitters’ park in baseball; going into a contract year.
And you can do the same “is this guy going to suck or dominate?” thing with practically the whole bullpen, too. Basically, it’s all up for grabs. Almost any outcome makes sense for this team, from losing 1-0 to winning 12-10.
Remember Beane saying (I think in Moneyball) that he spends the first 2 months of the season just figuring out what kind of team he has. That’s never been more true of one of his teams than it is for the 2009 A’s.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on Apr 12, 2009 5:21 PM PDT reply actions 4 recs
So true, Nick, except if we have a pretty good idea of what Cabrera will do,
why are “we” batting him second? Zing! He’s been great so far. The play he made in the hole on M. Sweeney early on was one I don’t think Crosby makes.
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, I'm definitely on the bat-Cust-2nd bandwagon
(can we assume that Geren wouldn’t have had Cust bunt in the 9th if he’d been hitting 2nd today?), but I have to admit Cabrera’s been very good so far. I agree about the M. Sweeney play, and I think the same applies to the similar play he made on Guerrero in the 2nd game, I think, in Anaheim.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
I have no complaints about Cabrera so far, definitely
and per an earlier post I can see batting him 2nd against a LHP. But against a RHP (if not always) I’d love to see Cust there.
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
Yep
I said that exact thing when watching. Crosby doesn’t make that play.
"There's not a moment of peace and quiet in this damn clubhouse." ~~ Nick Swisher
by luvsthecurveball on Apr 12, 2009 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah but there are a lot of plays Crosby doesn't make.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
True
Why single him out for that one? Sorry BoCro.
"There's not a moment of peace and quiet in this damn clubhouse." ~~ Nick Swisher
by luvsthecurveball on Apr 12, 2009 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Tim Kawakami agrees completely
From today’s Mercury:
Even the A’s aren’t sure what 2009 will bring
The article hits on many of Nick’s musings and brings up a further painful mutability. How will health affect the club? Crosby at 3rd last night was one answer.
He ends on a really sad note:
Maybe I’m stuck on that concept because of the sight of a mostly empty clubhouse Saturday afternoon, except for one familiar corner with two familiar faces. There was Chavez, weighed down by a massive ice pack on his right shoulder, barely moving on his stool. And five feet away was Crosby, slumped in a soft chair, staring straight ahead and seeing nothing. There was a time when that back corner used to be the central life force of this clubhouse. But this is not that time, and that corner is a lot quieter now.
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
That miserable plagiarizing bastard!!!!!
Oh, wait, he seems to have posted that piece yesterday.
Uhh…great minds think alike…?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Have to like what you saw with Cahill today.
2 hits in 7 innings is dominant stuff, even if it is the Mariners. I can’t believe we just got swept by the Mariners…
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Well, it wasn't quite the Mariners -
BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T EVEN HAVE ICHIRO.
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
Well, it appears you have salt
Do you have some lemon juice, too?
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
No, but I have a slug
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
Said the same thing
Being swept by the Mariners at home is completely unacceptable, unless you embrace mediocrity.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Apr 12, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Sorry, I just don't agree
It’s what makes baseball such a great game, IMO. The Nationals can go into Philly and sweep a series and it doesn’t mean Philly won’t win the World Series.
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
Right, but didn't we get swept by the M's to end last season, also?
Not that that is necessarily significant, just embarrassing.
I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup
That's more what my point was
Not that it doesn’t happen, but that you’ve got to make damn sure that it doesn’t happen to you. At the end of the season and you lose your division by 1-2 games you can look back at series like this one and know why.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Apr 12, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions
But every team will have a series they look back at like this
So it’s not actually what determines a close race. 3-4 of these maybe.
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
A key to season-long success is to not have extended losing streaks
Every club will be swept once and again, but the good teams will find a way to put at least one W back on the board sooner rather than later. 8 game L streaks kill you.
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
I supposed you're right
It’s just extremely frustrating to be swept at home by a team everyone’s picked to finish last in the division and close to the cellar in the league.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Apr 13, 2009 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions
To me the embarrassing part is that the M's
are shorthanded without Ichiro. Plus Ryan Rowland-Smith was truly terrible.
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 know they both got losses
but i am really exited about Cahill and Anderson pitched. I think by the start of next year Anderson will be an ace of the staff. If he can command 94 on the corners he is going to be great. And if Cahill can cut down on his walks he is also going to be great. It’s kind of wierd to have top prospects that can perform this year ( not Like the Gonzalez’s ).
Agree - except don't count on Anderson hitting 94MPH on the corners
More like 91MPH on the corners, which is jusssst fine!
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
more bad news...
Aaron Cunningham has apparently dislocated his shoulder and has been placed on the DL
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Apr 12, 2009 6:50 PM PDT reply actions
He's a true A.
I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup
On a completely unrelated note guess who's injured, again.
Bradley that’s who. Can’t believe he still gets a look in for non-AL teams.
Not all his groins, I hope.
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
True if he's just pulled some of his groins, the others can take up the slack.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions
I so wanted to laugh when I saw that.
Oh, and what’s up with Jon Miller’s fugly yellow shirt? Is he trying to be a big Easter marshmallow peep?
I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup
He looked just like he did against Detroit in the ALCS a couple of years ago!
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Reed Johnson goes over the wall to bring back a grand slam
Nice.
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 especially liked how he kickd into the wall so hard it ripped open
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
It was so intentional. You could see from how the ball left his hand
aimed right at Johnson’s numbers, and how he reacted after. The broadcasters all agreed it must not have been intentional – hogwash.
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 really hurts to get swept by the M's
With our schedule in April we cant afford to lose games we should win. This sweep really hurt. I was really hoping we would get outta April .500.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
That is, you ARE really hoping...
I am too, and April’s not half done yet.
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
Another case
of the A’s playing down to the level of their opponents. They always seem to play well against good teams and then just fall of a cliff against the less than stellar ones.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
I see Jason Kendall is 0 for 14 for the season
I don’t remember him hitting that well for us.
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 did a double-take when I saw JK was batting 8th...
…then I realized, “Oh, it’s the NL and the pitcher bats. Duh!”.
Still…
I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup
Horrible injuries to his ankle and thumb
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
He tore up his ankle, for one thing
And he became unbelievably weak for reasons I don’t fully understand.
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'd say the thumb hurt his hitting more than the ankle
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Could be. I just don't see how it would sap his power so much so much later
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
Unless he ignored doctor's orders and tried to hitchhike too soon
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
Sort of. He played 2002 with the less than healed thumb, and only had surgery in
October of that year. He’s never had any power since. He first injured the thumb ligaments in 2001. The ankle was 1999. That mainly affected his speed.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Everyone else got on the roids. Good to know Jason is clean.
Although from ‘05 to ’07 he went from 0 to 1 to 3 home runs. Tripling your HR in a year? Maybe he started juicing with the A’s.
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
You're worried about the HRs tripling in one year?
What about the year before when they infinitipled?
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
He had one triple in 05
That’s like three-fourths of a home run. So he went from .75 HR to 1 HR. A thirty-three percent increase follows a much more normal career path.
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
Hate losing to Seattle
Way to impress the fans right off the bat. Frustrated with Geren. Bring on the Sox.
Might as well Jump! - Van Halen
I basically like Geren and I've been a bit disappointed
I haven’t had issues with his handling of the pitchers, though.
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
Something to be pround of?
Bedard didn’t crack Baseball Tonight’s top three pitching gems today.
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
It could signal that they factored in the hitting team.
:-(
More likely they aren’t aware that Seattle has a baseball 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
We were playing Seattle? I thought the Rays just had fugly uniforms this year
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
Yes the Strength of Schedule had a negative impact on his RPI
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Unlike my spelling, which I'm very unpround of
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
You should be ashamned.
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
Wow
"There's not a moment of peace and quiet in this damn clubhouse." ~~ Nick Swisher
by luvsthecurveball on Apr 12, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions
This thread is absorbant
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Apr 12, 2009 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions
and has an incredibly annoying voice.
ooooh, better than last years. Yeah, that should be the standard that lineups are judged against. --xbhaskarx
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 13, 2009 12:12 AM PDT up reply actions
...but it only lasts for 20 minutes... can't do this all day, ya know
I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup
As if
he has anywhere to go. No one wants you around, you annoying Chowd
ooooh, better than last years. Yeah, that should be the standard that lineups are judged against. --xbhaskarx
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 13, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Some good signs out of the first week:
Starting Rotation:
— Cahill and Anderson look like they belong and they’re just going to get better as they get more comfortable. They’re the top of the rotation for me, even if Duke comes back
— Eveland looks like he’s going to be OK as a mid or back of the rotation guy. They still need something out of the other two.
Bullpen:
— Bailey looks like the future closer and Wuertz is the new Kiko. That means Ziggy can now become the new Tam or Bradford. That’s a pretty good front three.
— Outman could be a dominant lefty from the pen like Howell with the Rays
Defense:
— As long as Chavez, Cabrera and Ellis are healthy the IF defense is gonna really help out Anderson, Cahill and other groundballers
— I like the idea of Davis in CF and Sweeney in RF vs lefties. That’s a heckuva defensive OF. Suzuki and Powell are both good.
Offense:
— Cust and Holliday will one day make a good 3-4 tandem…as soon as Geren bats them 3-4.
— They still need Sweeney and I hope Buck to take over the top of the order vs righties. Giambi, Chavez and Nomar are OK in the 5-6 spots
— The bottom of the order isn’t terrible with Ellis, Cabrera and Suzuki
I see a bunch of positives to take out of this week. A good series vs the Red Sox would be a welcome morale booster.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
Good analysis
I think the A’s will really miss Devine because Bailey won’t be closing anytime soon and the bullpen depth, while still good, is full of 7th inning guys, not 8th/9th inning guys.
But I think Braden is as likely as Eveland to be a solid mid/back rotation guy, and I love that the bottom of the order is actually decent. Cust looks great, Holliday will hit. I fear Chavy will not hold up forever, but as long as he’s out there it’s a potentially good team that should only get better each month.
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
Yes, the big worries for me are the health of Chavez, Ellis, Nomar, Giambi, Sweeney and Buck.
And I think the young starters could wear down. This team could be in shambles by August…or Beane could remake it in June and July and they could get better in the second half like 1999.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions
They must have a plan for what they will do if come August
the team is highly competitive but Cahill and Anderson are on pace to throw 180-200 innings. I just wonder what that plan is.
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 thinking either a 6-man rotation or spot starts for Mazzaro and Gio
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm already assuming Gallagher takes over for Outman as soon as this month.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I think that was Simmons. Edgar lost today.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I have always felt Outman was a reliever
He’s tough on lefties and I just don’t think he has the fastball movement to be a starter. Not with his control.
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
Ellis, Giambi and Sweeney don't worry me health wise.
I think Sweeney can tough it out, and Ellis’ shoulder should be ok. Giambi as far as I’m aware has no significant injury history. Buck though is made of glass and yeah Nomar is an injury waiting to happen. Chavez goes without saying, they should give him as much rest as possible.
I think already this season is better than last - we have an offence to watch.
There’s no real weakness in the lineup either – on their day everyone in there can hit (ok besides Davis, but he should be in AAA with Denorfia in his stead), though obviously we’re expecting much more from Holliday.
What I don’t like about the lineup though is Chavez hitting in important positions – he really should be down the order with the mentality that anything he provides at the plate is a bonus. He’s not a front line hitter anymore.
As for the starting pitching, well it’s holding up well so far. We’ll see how the season progresses – you’d imagine Cahill and Anderson will improve and then hit a wall, but I’m struggling to project Eveland and Braden – will the league figure them out or will they put up solid numbers for the year? If his last start is anything to go by Outman needs to be put in the pen as the long man – the second time through the lineup he was getting smoked.
The bullpen looks a strength, but I really worry for their arms; they’re going to get abused this year – and the way Geren manages his staff, Wuertz and Casilla are going down with arm injuries before the All-Star break!
I think Cust will eventually hit third, bumping Giambi to #5, and Chavez to #6 or #7.
Geren just needs some early returns on their performance to make that decision for some reason.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Cust 3rd is ok if the A's have two solid OBP guys ahead of him
Sweeney against RHP and Cabrera against LHP might qualify, but that’s only one spot. Buck, in theory is another, but at the moment you can’t put him at the top of the order with any particular confidence. That’s why I’d sooner see Cust 2nd, Giambi 3rd – OBP guys ahead of Holliday.
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
Well he was also good in Sept '08. With Cunningham down they need him to step up
or they have to wait for Doolittle.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions
He had a good spring too, right?
I think he needs an extended shot. The Cunningham injury is unfortunate, but again I’d only bring Aaron up if he was pencilled in to start most days, otherwise it stunts the development. That’s why Denorfia’s so valuable in my eyes – he can hit and field quite well and you don’t have to worry about his lack of playing time.
Well if Buck sucks they'll need a full time RF -- at least vs righties
That’s either Cunningham or Doolittle in the minors. Denorfia probably isn’t the answer.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions
The A's are in a run of seeing a lot of LHP
That ends tomorrow after Lester, and then Buck should get everyday time and a chance to get into a rhythm.
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
Not that the A's have said Buck is platooning,
but that’s what my eyes keep telling me.
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 your eyes are telling you that Buck looks lost at the plate
again and it’s magnified against lefties (which I’ve never understood, the whole splits thing, I assume it’s cos you see the ball slightly earlier against an opposite handed pitcher).
The split thing is largely breaking pitches
Easier when they’re coming into the strike zone than when they’re breaking away from you.
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
You see the ball clearly out of the hand with both eyes R vs L or L vs R
whereas you only see it with one eye R vs R or L vs L. Messes up your depth perception.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Couldn't you affect that by opening up your stance?
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
In theory, but that would mess with your swing
making it harder to reach the outside corner — which makes the breaking ball even more effective against you.
I did notice the South Korean players turning their heads in a kind of exaggerated way at the plate in the WBC — maybe that’s to help them see the ball better.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
What about doing a Brian Downing?
Wasn’t he the hitter who started with an exaggeratedly open stance and then closed it to normal as the pitch actually arrived?
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, and Canseco used to do that, too
We’ve read a lot this offseason about Holliday and McGwire teaching being “quiet” as the best approach in the box — part of the problem with the Downing/early Jose approach is that you’re moving a lot before the swing, so it’s easy to ruin your swing before it even starts. Jose abandoned the foot-in-the-bucket stance after his rookie season (or maybe ’87).
It probably helps to crowd the plate a lot if you do that, so you don’t end up lunging for outside breaking pitches. And if you crowd the plate, it probably helps to have really, really strong wrists so you can get around on an inside fastball. We know how Jose got such strong wrists, and Downing was pretty much the first hitter to remake his game by lifting weights…
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
I wouldn't promote Doolittle this year under any circumstances
(well unless he bats 1.000). I think you could swing a trade for a guy that could produce should we be in contention.
Then it's Cunningham.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions
If he's healthy
That’s not an option for a while.
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
Then it's Buck or bust!
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm OK with Giambi instead of Buck, but I'm not sure how much bat speed Jason has
at this point.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe 'The Book' hates Cust.
I’d drop Chavez as low as I possibly could. Honestly I’d bat him below Suzuki (who I think is a v. good hitter), something like:
Sweeney, Cabrera, Cust, Giambi, Holliday, Suzuki, Chavez, Ellis, Buck.
I’ve no idea where you put Cabrera though to be honest so I’ve stumped him in at no.2 – his biggest strength is getting the ball in play – so he’d be great at driving in runs.
This sounds good, although I wouldn't have OC 2nd vs righties
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Ideally you'd like Sweeney and Buck leading off against righties, but
as we’ve discussed I’ve no idea where Buck is at the plate right now.
You could just drop Cabrera and move everyone else up one
Sweeney, Cust, Holliday, Giambi, Suzuki, Chavez, Cabrera, Buck, Ellis
…if you want to break up the lefties
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions
If Buck ever gets back to late '08 form
I’d like to see a game or two with:
Sweeney, Buck, Cust, Holliday, Giambi, Zook, Chavvy, Ellis, Cabrera
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
I like that lineup, WC
A lot more than the ones we’ve actually seen. Against LHP, you can just bump Cabrera up to leadoff, bat Ellis 7th and Sweeney 9th.
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 hoping they just wanted to give Cust a low pressure slot to try out
his new approach.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I think it's because they see him as an RBI guy
and they want his HRs to be 3-run shots.
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 HR is singular. Groins are plural.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions
And "PIN number" is redundant
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
Did someone say ATM machine?
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
LOL Peter Gammons said on BBTN
They were talking about A’s rotation and he said he’s not worried about Anderson and Cahill but is not sure the other 3 can get the job done throughout the season.
Probably not far off mark.
The second time Cahill was reasonably impressive - clearly his sinker is a fantastic pitch.
Once he puts it all together at the major league level he’ll be something. He’s not going to hold up for the season though. Anderson just looks masterful, but again he’s not going to last the season through. I think Braden and Eveland can hold it together for the season and be relatively effective, but yeah they’re certainly not superstars. In a good rotation they’d be a strong 4/5.
What I think will help, though, is the depth -
Between Eveland and Braden, probably one will be a solid middle of the rotation starter. And between Gio Gonzalez and Gallagher, the A’s will probably find another decent starter for the middle of the rotation by May. And hopefully, Duke…
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 Mazzaro will be a rotation factor by the end of the year.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I do too. I omitted him because I don't know how soon he'll be up
He may need 1/2 a season or more to be ready. I’d put Gio and Gallagher, plus Duke, ahead of him on the current depth chart, i.e., I expect to see those three in the Oakland rotation before we see Mazzaro.
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
Plus we need somebody to not make it to the bigs this year
so we talk all offseason about whether they should be brought up in 2010.
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
Webb, Fautino, and Ross should be good for that.
I’ve already made Simmons a reliever in my mind.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions
I saw him pitch for the first time this spring. His fastball really had
nothing to it and his breaking pitches aren’t anything to write home about.
Who? Simmons?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah. I know he's a location pitcher, but he really can't afford to
miss his spot with that fastball.
I hope Simmons is healthy
He looked horrible in ST and got lit up in the 4th yesterday. Not sure why.
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
No, I always hope my pitcher is healthy
Easier to fix location or mechanics than arm problems.
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'd prefer him to be injured, but with nothing significant (just enough to
throw him off his game) considering how poor his stuff looked.
You think the Phillies wanted Cole Hamels to say
“I’m hurt” instead of what he has said (“I’m physically fine”)?
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
Well if he says "I'm hurt, my arm is falling off"
then no. If he says “I’m hurt because you pitched me into the ground last season and my arm is fatigued” then yes.
Edit; but it's a macho thing.
For everyone but Harden is seems, he was perfectly fine pulling himself from the lineup with the slightest twinge.
Yeah, but SMWF doesn't have the same ring as S-MAC
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
Mazzaro note
went 5 innings of scoreless ball on thursday…5 k’s…57 pitches no hitter through 4 with 2 walks…Rivercats found a way to lose though
They said it was to limit his work. No mention of injury.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with that, although I'm pretty OK with Eveland as an average guy.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Chavvy ...
Groan.
How many lousy ABs before he starts saying, gee, my shoulder hurts, especially when the bases are loaded and I’m up …
Other than that, this is a pretty fun club to watch, certainly compared to last year’s Is the Paint Dry yet crew. Lingering pet peave: do you think the Cubs would trade Harden for Gallagher and, uh, Murton?
Harden sure looked good last time out.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2009 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Breaking News: Kevin Gregg is a joke for a closer
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
Wanna watch yesterday's A's game again?
Tune in to Sunday Night Baseball. Uber-hitter is walked to the open base. Big HR guy up with two on and two out.
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
And once again, big HR guy fails
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
rebuttle
zzzzzz!
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Apr 12, 2009 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Against Aardsma?
Slightly better chance for the tie, worse chance for the win, worse chance for “first and second, one out and here’s Holliday.”
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
Cahill was awesome!
I watched the game on DVR when I returned home from Easter dinner. Fantastic performance by the man child, Raj Davis looked like he should have made a better play on M-Sweeney’s line drive to left center in the 7th, and Cust had a hell of a battle in his AB in the bottom of the 9th. Great game and I’m really bummed we lost but good things happened in this game as far as the pitching went and hopefully Geren is learning about how to construct a lineup that maximizes the A"s chances of winning on a regular basis.
Trevor Cahill…….welcome to the big leagues, boy! Nice work.
Go A’s!
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
Absolutely not worried....
I am so not worried about this first series, although I would have love to have seen some wins, I know they are coming. It is so nice to know that even if the other team scores, we still have a chance. The second half of last year was unwatchable baseball.
I do have a concern though…Attendance…..It was a picture perfect beautiful day here in the Bay Area today and we could only barely muster out 12,000 fans to the game..I’m sorry but that is ridiculous…Come on fans get out there and support our team…
Yeah and by the way how bout that Huston Street…LOL!!
There is no A in OFFENSE!!
How 'bout the vintage Matt Stairs
Do you think if Beane remains in baseball long enough every Major Leaguer will at some point have donned an A’s uni?
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
Yes they will...LOL...
Still not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing…..Hmmmmm
There is no A in OFFENSE!!
by wacchampions on Apr 13, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions
One last thing about ATTENDANCE......
We barely outdrew the Rivercats on Sunday, they had over 8,000….This just doesnt work when the AAA team draws bigger or just about the same as the Big League team…
There is no A in OFFENSE!!
by wacchampions on Apr 13, 2009 12:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Remember, it was Easter yesterday
Lots of family get-togethers, dinners, etc. It’d be like having a game on Christmas or Thanksgiving (assuming it was baseball season, of course) … you’re not going to have a huge turnout by any means.
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.
The games we lost this weekend...
are the type of games we need to win in order to compete for the division. We must win close ball games at home. PERIOD! Hopefully this offesne can become consistant because the Jekyl and Hyde act just wont cut it. They need to support these young pitchers.
That was a good game
The only one I saw due to AStounds lack of interest in CSN CA.
The only question I have is the scheulded days off for Chavez, Are they planned out for pitching matchups or is it just every three days. It wolud seem that a day off yesterday would have been good. Albeit I think that his play in the field makes up for his ABs.
Why isn’t cust hitting second? Has anyone asked this question? Does anyone know the reason?
This particular situation
It was a day game after a night game, and Chavy had played every game so far, so it made sense to give him the day off (against a LHP probably factored in a little as well). Going foward, I think it’s pretty much a “see how he feels”, with some pro-active “day game after night game” breaks if he’s played in 6-7 straight games.
And Cust batting 2nd has been in discussions (and game threads) pretty much daily. Plenty of speculation and FIRE GAREN NOW but only Geren really knows why Cust isn’t batting 2nd.
I know the Cust to second thing has been beaten to death, but i it really fair to just blam Geren?
I seem to remember reading somewhere in the past that Beane plays a pretty big part in these decisions too.
I would have Cust hitting second against RHP
And leave Cabrera there for LHP
Regarding Chavez, it seemed odd that
he started Friday against a LHP and Sunday against a LHP, while Nomar started Saturday against a RHP.
Shouldn’t they have planned to rest Chavez Friday and Sunday and start him Saturday, making Nomar available to start Sunday?
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
For the record
I’m not blaming Geren, and there really isn’t any direct blame for the batting order – I was just relaying what most discussions have been about this subject. Also, the whole FIRE GAREN NOW thing has been done with every manager, and is done more in jest than actually demanding he be replaced because of the batting order or the use of the pen. At least until July. Kidding!
One would like to think, however, that the manager makes up the line up (I know with the A’s and Beane it’s a “special” relationship). Regardless of which, the only person who “knows” why the lineup is what it is on any given day, would be Geren (and possibly Beane).
I don’t pretend to “know” why anyone is batting in any position, or what constitues a “better” lineup, but I’d gather that the lineup the A’s have follows the old “tradition” of power hitters batting lower, and #2 is for a guy who can “move a runner over”.
sorry Kaiser99 wasn't trying to single you out.
And don’t worry, I fully appreciate the sarcasm involved with any phrase that begins with the word: FIRE…
I just find it interesting that Beane has seemingly escaped blame for the way the batting order has been constructed. I’ve noticed a lot of posters saying things to the effect of: What the hell is Geren doing?
The way the A’s organization works, however, I think we could just as easily be saying: What the hell is Beane doing?
I don't believe Beane has that much to do with day to day stuff
like batting order and bunting, stealing, etc. The A’s have done lots of small-bally stuff already this year that probably wouldn’t happen if Beane were micromanaging and felt as Moneyball suggested he feels (and I think that’s exaggerated – I think Beane’s philosophies depend a great deal on the personnel he has, not on some overriding philosophy).
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
J'aime le francais...
nice is see it used outside of my four-days-a-week college French class.
The offense is still pretty disappointing. Cahill was great. He deserved a W, or at least not a L.
Re: Cabrera’s bunt: not what I would have done.
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