Time to take advantage

by FrankCohen on May 21, 2009 6:33 PM PDT

As much as the A's have struggled this season, the fact still remains that we are not completely out of reach in the race for the AL West. We have faced a pretty tough schedule so far, but this week we seem to have things pretty easy, as we will match up against the D-Backs and the Mariners at home. Against Arizona, we will be facing Billy Buckner (maybe?), Dan Haren, and Jon Garland, a trio of whom Haren presents the only foreseeable challenge. The Mariners are slipping badly as of late, and will throw out Angels-killer Chris Jakubauskas in the first game. We need to win atleast four of these six contests, as if we do so, we could find ourselves going into the Texas series with some momentum and a shorter divisional deficit.

This is the time to take advantage of a seemingly mild week to get right back in the thick of things in the AL West. As much as the naysayers have been predicting an 100 loss season, this team still has plenty of time to put things together. And remember, the A's are historically good in the second half (lets forget last year ;) ).

75% of the season is left. If Beane decides to go for it this year at the dealine and acquires a guy like DeRosa and a pitcher like Byrd, this team could prove to be quite strong.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I like your way of thinking better than mine,

but my thinking is that the Rangers aren’t the biggest concern for the A’s. I could absolutely see a team making up 8 gams on the rangers by the end of the season. However, at the moment I see the Angels winning the West pretty handily unless both Lackey and Santana get hurt again or are ineffective.

Either one of those guys, with Saunders and Weaver, give them enough, with their supporting cast, to be the class of this division. They survived the toughest challenge better than anyone expected and look to me like they’re in pretty great shape going forward.

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 May 21, 2009 7:47 PM PDT reply actions

if Texas can remain in contention I wouldn't be surprised

to see them make a move for a pitcher. I’m not necessarily referring to Ben Sheets, who may be ready to pitch during the second half and who seems to be interested in pitching for them. I’m referring to using some of their deep farm system to acquire a very good and healthy pitcher, perhaps one close to free agency or with a big contract. Perhaps even Peavey.

If they don’t make such a move I agree that the Angels will probably win the division without too much competition.

by OaklandSi on May 21, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Seattle and Arizona are both capable of beating the A's.

Those A’s teams that were great in the 2nd half of seasons had dominant starting pitching. This team doesn’t have that at all. The A’s will probaly score more runs the rest of the way. The bullpen might be due to regress. The Angels and Texas look to be both better than the A’s. The Rangers might surprise if the pitching holds up. Oakland is better than Seattle though.

by Tbone 1 on May 21, 2009 8:40 PM PDT reply actions

a AAA team is capable of beating the A's

as long as Geren in our manager.

by ryanmoser on May 21, 2009 8:49 PM PDT reply actions

Oh, Frankie, can I have one of what you had?

“a trio of whom Haren presents the only foreseeable challenge”

If only. My grandad could take the mound and give AN heartburn as he takes a no-hitter into the seventh inning against this offense. And he’s dead.

by itsgemme on May 22, 2009 5:54 AM PDT reply actions

On As management

Howe, Macha, Geren, whats the difference? I haven’t seen any of those guys do much managing outside of filling out the lineup card. I appreciate the philosophy of being patient at the plate, but when you get only three strikes to work with , I see no reason to constantly watch the first pitch just go by, and trying to work the starting pitchers count up in the early innings so you can go to work on the bullpen, but not at the expense of being aggressive on the basepath. In my view, the teams that have been winning the world series as of late have been the teams who are very good at manufacturing runs, moving runners over into scoring position and not constantly relying on most of the lineup to get hot and putting together several or more hits in one inning to squeeze out 1 or 2 runs. Beanes offensive philosophy works well over a 162 game season, but to me , when it comes down to winning a best 4 of 7 series, their recent playoff history shows that it just doesn’t work. In the playoffs, you are seeing teams that have very good pitching staffs, not ham and egger teams who might have only one good pitcher, and if your not well practiced at bunting men over, hit and run, stealing, etc., you can’t expect them to do it then, and in light of the fact that our starting rotation needs every run they can get, I think it might be time to be a little more real about what this team is and isn’t capable of, and adapt our offensive approach.

by Big_SurFF on May 22, 2009 9:05 AM PDT reply actions