Pre-Game Thread: Can the A's Do the Splits?
by 67MARQUEZ on Jun 11, 2009 10:00 AM PDT
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PrintI am starting to remember why I stopped liking the Twins.
The A's try to put last night's come-from-ahead loss behind them, and salvage a split of this four-game series. This is a critical stretch for the Home Nine, and if they are unable to play themselves back into the division race, it won't be for jet-lag.
Aside from their visit to the Windy City to begin the month, the A's won't play outside of California for the remainder of June; a rather comfy string of 25 games within state limits until they head to Cleveland for the 4th of July weekend.
Next month is not nearly as kind, so now is the time to make a move.
I made a comment during the win streak that the offense was still a concern, and while my methods were askew, the point was there, somewhere. The A's have managed nineteen hits their last four games, and take away that late 5-run explosion Tuesday night, have just ten runs during that same stretch. And if that is too small sample size for you, well the A's are still residing on the wrong side of the American League in the categories that matter (dead last in batting, slugging, and OPS).
That's a discomforting development even when the pitching is lights out, but when it's not- and now we can add an increasingly vulnerable bullpen to the mix- it's enough to cause heartburn, fits of rage, uncontrollable sobbing, and all kinds of terrible things. Basically AN at is bleakest.
The problem is, options are few, which is why you'll continue to see names like Crosby, Hannahan, and Davis in the line-up.
***
A quick note on Braden's post-outing interview. I didn't hear it but I imagine he said all the right things, as any teammate would, even after Wuertz surrendered the game-tying homerun. It called to mind the time when Dennis Eckersley twice blew saves for Dave Stewart in back-to-back attempts at his 20th win. On both occasions the A's emerged victorious, with Eck "earning" the "W". Said Dave Henderson after the second time, "Eck's just trying to get to 20 before Stew."
While we can sit here and surmise how funny it would have been had Braden expressed what he had to surely be feeling inside, the superstitious side of me wishes these interviews would actually wait until after the game.
Oh well, just a thought.
Game time is12:35PM. The usual stuff to follow.
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Splits? Wait, are those kinda like...
GYMNASTICS
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
July 2 Int'l draft
Jean Carlos Batista
Beane: DO IT… Do it, now. Just DO IT.
http://baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=1309
witty remark
Re: Braden
He seems like the kind of guy who understands that while there are times a reliever will blow the win for him by giving up a homer or something like that, there are others where he leaves in trouble and the reliever bails him out to preserve the win. Ideally, it all evens out in the end.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Braden is the man. I've been impressed with his "off-the-field: demeanor since his callup
and subsequent stellar MLB debut against Baltimore a couple season back.
witty remark
by dtownmbrown on Jun 11, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Idle speculation about people I don't really know
I wonder if Braden has consciously stepped up as the “veteran” presence of the staff. He was handed the Opening Day start almost by default, but he embraced the role with aplomb. We were half-laughing at the though of Braden (24 starts before this year) as the ace of the team. But his impressive on field work in 2009 has lent credibility to the notion. He’s the unquestioned leader of the staff (even if he’s not a true #1). He already had the outgoing personality, but now it has a focus helping out the 21-22 year-olds make it through their rookie year. He’s still young enough to be one of the guys, but he’s like the trusted older brother who’s always there for you, win or lose. Right now, I’d say he should be the 2010 Opening Day starter, and it won’t be by default.
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
reflecting back on it...
How far you going back? way back.)
there was a huge jump in maturity between 21 and 25. as grown up as I was at 21, it was nothing compared to 25. And that seems to be true across the board.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm eager to see Cahill make the maturity jump
He still doesn’t look like he should be in the majors, he looks and carrys himself like he could still be in high school.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
just a thought...
I know its not going to happen, but if I was BB, i would inquire about Cuddyer…just a thought
I agree on the interview thing
Doing in-game interviews with the starting pitcher is akin to Dusty Baker handing the ball to his starting pitcher during game 6 of the ’02 series – just a bit premature.
"If Vin Mazzaro comes anywhere near me with shaving cream he’s gonna be coming away with a bloody stump" – Dallas Braden
Was I Seeing Things....
Or did Davis actually get two hits last night?
Tough luck loss for Braden. That guy is a gamer. Why Geren ever let Wurtz pitch to Kubel is anyone’s guess. Ziggy should have came in.
are u kidding me?
no way… ziggy woulda found a way to give up a 2-run bomb to kubel
The Not-So-Casual Fan
Breslow should’ve came in to keep Gomez in the game.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 11, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Or leave Braden to pitch to him
Then throw Weurtz for 1 batter, and Breslow for M&M.
Ziggy for the 9th.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Terrible Loss...but used to it
I believe Kubel pitch hit for Gomez after Wuertz was in the game? Correct me if I’m wrong. Also Geren was saving Breslow (our lone lefty) for Mauer and Morneau…
I really felt like the A’s bullpen ripped my heart out last night! I thought for once we would win a close game. Damn was I wrong…
This one really hurt, considering the great pitching performance by Braden. I guess I’m used to us losing close games the last couple of years now. What a hard thing to get used to though!
Yes, but....
Geren could have anticipated what Gardenhire might do.
Yes, and...
Geren knew that Kubel was a possibility…so the question you have to ask yourself is….do you want your best reliever to face Kubel or Ziggy who has been average at best. Wuertz has proven that he can be an effective 8th inning guy. He made a bad pitch. It was the first HR that he has allowed at home all year. Can’t say the same for Ziggy. A manager is going to go with his best option to get the win. Right now can you honestly say that you would rather have Ziggy in instead of Wuertz?
by DoomandGloom on Jun 11, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
No, you put in Breslow so that Kubel stays on the bench
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
NO!
Why would you bring in your lefty specialist to ensure that they don’t use someone?
Then they had two rightie’s coming up. vs. Breslow before he would get to M & M. So you bring in your SET UP MAN ( Wuertz) to get the first two outs and then bring in Breslow to get M & M out. Then you go to your closer with one out in the 9th. That was best case scenario. Breslow did his job…
by DoomandGloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Because bringing in Weurtz means that Kubel pinch hits.
Kubel >>>>>>>> Gomez
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Kubel's splits
This year:
1.085 OPS vs RHP
0.583 OPS vs LHP
Career:
.801 OPS vs RHP
.623 OPS vs LHP
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Best Lineup right now?
I think our best lineup is with Barton at first and Giambi at DH and Cust in right. I also would not be opposed to Crosby at 3rd instead of Hannahan from time to time…
agreed.
still, watching this lineup day after day really is painful to watch. might Beane be on the prowl for another bat to help this offense soon? even though the bp blew the save last night, the pitching is there…..we just need another solid bat in the lineup to help produce runs. no telling when the walking wounded will return to reenforce this dreadful lineup. Go A’s!
Billy…..go and get us another bat already before it’s too late!
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
I think if we win this game...
and the take 2/3 against the Giant’s then we might be looking for some help in our order. I’m soooooo sick of seeing the lineup with 2 or 3 guys batting below .210….that really doesn’t give you a chance to win. Maybe they get a hit once in 5 at bats….that really sucks!
by DoomandGloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions
agreed that barton at 1b and cust in RF
is the best option…but this is exactly why I think they should go after someone like Cuddyer…I can’t imagine that he’d cost that much (since he doesn’t play every single game)…He would be a nice bat to have in the 6 hole behind Giambi…
um, ouch.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Watch the hands buddy
he can’t tap fast enough
a ground rule double followed by three unproductive outs, sounds like my sex life - dayzd toe
It's got to be contrived or something.
the hook on his right leg’s not deep enough to keep it spread that far, is it?
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Hey LP look at my new pic in my user acct. You should get a kick out of it.
I posted it twice but it would not come up. I am still new at posting pics.
a ground rule double followed by three unproductive outs, sounds like my sex life - dayzd toe
The pic itself has to be located somewhere on the net.
It’s got to have a web address. That was my first big hurdle to clear to posting pics. If you’ve got something on your computer, you can post it through Photobucket, which is easy enough for me to use, so any Yahoo! should be able to…
…and I’m too old to read what your pic says underneath Preparedness…
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
It is my new sig
and thanks for the info on posting pics
PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves
I just figured out how to see it.
THAT.ROCKS.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
No, it's real
I’ve wrestled for eight years and coached for one. I can tell you that though it is a difficult move to put someone into, it is an actual wrestling pinning combination.
Here it is used as a reversal on a leg vine ride.
I can also tell you it hurts like hell when someone puts it on you just right.
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Jun 11, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
it just doesn't seem like that hook is in deep enough.
seems like the victim’s glute muscle’d be stronger than the attacker’s calf/knee.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
That's why you don't see the move put on someone often.
The glute and leg should is strong when the person is balanced. However, when unbalanced and not anchored to the mat, the attacker’s back and glute power trumps the victim’s leg and unbalanced glute.
The result is a painful pinning combination.
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Jun 11, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions
They'll be another
in 30 min or so!
I know, I’ve gone thread crazy.
I'm here to talk about the past.
she's not been feeling well.
and she’s had family obligations.
i think she still lurks though…
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Uhh, if you're commmenting, you're not lurking.
Duh.
Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.
Did Kent's wife deliver?
Is that his name? Memory is fading faster than Kennedy’s once-amazing average.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Did Kent's wife deliver?
Is that his name? Memory is fading faster than Kennedy’s once-amazing average.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Robert Keen anyone?
It’s the little things….
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions
You guys are gonna
make me work hard at work today, aren’t you?
Is this thread bio-degradable? Or simply degrading?
I'm here to talk about the past.
It should be
after all we went “Green”
PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves
The barbell makes it look bigger :-|
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
If i turn around will you kindly remove the knife?
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Reminds me- strangely- of Bull Durham
When Susan Sarandon calls out Costner’s name (in the movie) while having sex with Tim Robbins and then tells Robbins:
Would you rather I call out your name while having sex with him?
I'm here to talk about the past.
Well, I mean, that's cool and all, but I'm a little thing?
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Jesus, answer her already before she posts it again.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
I get that a lot.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
price has gone up.
I’d wait til they put her on the Home Shopping Network. She’s bound to be marked down.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
I like the cut of your gib.
Apparently, so do others.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
If by cut you mean feel.
And by gib you mean..
uh…
So how’s the weather?
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
quiet, you.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
don't dis my boy.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions
I imagine she was
But it could have been viewed as my pre-game thread not being woot-worthy.
I'm here to talk about the past.
eggs-ack-Lee
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
I like big Z
It clearly represents craZy.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
well, that might be fun.
and I’ll wear a dress.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Thursday.
You missed crossdressing day. This is role playing day.
Sometimes they overlap.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Well I know tomorrow is thong day.
Always my favorite day of the week for you.
Bring Jerry AND Gio back!
I'm not a fan of thongs.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Sometimes they get stuck in your teeth
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
I guess I don't see the point.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
which is my point.
I mean, if I’m looking at you in your underwear, you’re probably gonna be taking them off soon anyhow, so it’s not like I don’t know what your butt looks like. I don’t see what purpose they serve. Those frilly things, though, like the ones Selma was wearing last night….those make sense.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions
This is a good thread.
why is it that you ask? becasue in all the good ones at some point there will be talk of women’s undergarments.
but one reason for the thong beside shooting an eye out in a pinch is to avoid these
and so you dont have this on tv
Bad spellers of the world untie.
good point.
but women seem to think it’s all because men like them and think they’re sexy and all that.
I guess I’m just not a thong guy.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
how long do you have?
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
considering I should be working right now . . .
none
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Hey, I didn't write the rules.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Oh yeah, baby.
Guide my canoe…
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions
What?
That’s what she did.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
I imagined it like this
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
we get day baseball today?
{wags tail}
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
Good boy heres a biscut
{chucks biscut from Cali, biscut falls in a swamp somewhere in Miss.}
Sorry
a ground rule double followed by three unproductive outs, sounds like my sex life - dayzd toe
{whine}
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Hey, I'm at work.
I work. Kind of.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
They're even gonna keep score!
Hopefully more for us than those other guys on the first-base side.
I'm here to talk about the past.
So I wonder
What happened to Betemit. Is everyone just waiting for him to be cleared before trying to sign him?
Oh, but if I catch a line drive by a girl, that’s girl-on-girl action, the twiceness is eliminated, and it just counts once - gigglingone
Since you mentioned Eck
It’s been a lot of fun listening to him on the red sox broadcasts. He started filling in for Jerry Remy (cancer) at the beginning of the season and after a rough start (including letting an S bomb fly on live TV) has become a really brilliant announcer, with great insight, humor, and enough restraint to let the game be the game.
Do you know the way to San Jose?
by eastcoasta'sfan on Jun 11, 2009 11:27 AM PDT reply actions
I read a few negative things on him.
Nice to see something positive. He just seemed to be natural for a role like that, with his lingo and such.
I'm here to talk about the past.
his soul's tortured enough for Boston to embrace him.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions
There are two places from which
Florida sounds good. Boston is one.
And WTF’s up with the double posting?
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
there's something seriously wrong with Boston, dude.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Me too.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Mine was on purpose though.
I was being ironical.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
As Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) said,
“It’s really not that bad”
Do you know the way to San Jose?
by eastcoasta'sfan on Jun 14, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I will take a 5-2 homestand
PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves
Damn, Cabrera (.234) is hitting atop the lineup over Davis (.239) still.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 11, 2009 12:10 PM PDT reply actions
it probably won't make much difference
when only two other guys are hitting over .239 in the rest of the lineup.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
damn it, 67, when you gonna start a proper game thread?!
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
so who's in charge of that?
That Geren idiot?
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Gameday has
Cabrera SS
Kennedy 2B
Cust RF
Holliday LF
Giambi DH
Powell C
Barton 1B
Davis CF
Hannahan 3B
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Chop chop
no time like the present
PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves
don't provide a link or anything.
dick.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 11, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
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