GOG 2009 #36

1. A’s 2-1
2. 7/2/7
3. 8
4. NO to both
5. 13/1/2
6. No….he better not….
7. Ziggy
8. 7
9. Two
10. We do

1. 2-1, Athletics
2. 8 IP, 2 ER, 8 K
3. 7 ground ball outs
4. No; yes
5. 8 AB, 1 BB, 3 XBH
6. No
7. Wuertz
8. 8 K
9. 2 positions
10. Athletics

so much for question 4a

   1. A’s sweep
   2. 6/4/7
   3. 8
   4. No, Yes
   5. 11/1/2
   6. No
   7. Bailey
   8. 7
   9. 2
  10. A’s

Important note: your apology is NOT accepted.

   1. 2-1 A’s
   2. 7/2/8
   3. 9
   4. No, No
   5. 12/0/1
   6. No
   7. Weurtz
   8. 7
   9. 1
  10. A’s

1. 2-1 A’s
2. 7 IP, 2 ER, 8 K
3. 8 GB outs
4. No, Yes
5. 12 AB, 1 BB, 2 XBH
6. Bwahahahaha no.
7. Wuertz
8. 8 K
9. 2
10. Oakland. (and we’re even better now, since OCab and Giambi are gone)

Series outcome [3 points] A’s 2-1
The A’s have to face Zach Greinke this time. Predict IP/ER/K for the best pitcher in the AL [2 points each] 8 IP/ 1 ER/ 8 K
Brian Bannister, already known for his strong grasp of sabremetrics, has been studying up on PitchFx, judging from an interview he did with Tom Tango (a good summary of the interview is here). This year Bannister has been making an effort to increase his ground ball rate, by using his fastball less, throwing a ton of cutters, and switching his grip on the changeup to give it more sink. His groundball/flyball ratio jumped from around 1 to 1.5 and he is having his best year so far. How many groundball outs does Bannister record against the A’s? [3 points] 6 GO
Does Giambi play in the series? Do the A’s add any non-Giambi players to their roster during the series? 1 for each right, -1 for each wrong] NO (goes to the corner and cries), (OK, I’m done crying)YES
With two HR in the series against Texas, Kurt Suzuki is up to 8 HR on the season, surpassing his total for 2008. He passed his career high for doubles two weeks ago in the series at New York. This all adds up to a slugging percentage that is 39 points higher than last year, despite a nearly identical batting average. Unfortunately, this has been accompanied by a drop in his walk rate and OBP. Predict Suzuki’s AB/BB/XBH for the series [2 points each] 8 AB / 0 BB/ 2 XBH
Former Royals shortstop Tona Pena Jr was so awful with the bat that they traded for Yuniesky Betancourt from the Mariners and are converting Pena into a pitcher. Unfortunately, Betancourt has not helped much. His batting line since coming to Kansas City is .159/.181/.290 (good for an OPS of 23!). He has 5 extra-base hits and 2 walks in 74 plate appearances. Will Yuni manage to earn a free pass off of A’s pitchers this series? 1 point if right, -1 if wrong] NO (Cahill isn’t pitching, zing!)
Which Oakland reliever logs the most innings in the series? [3 points] Weurtz
Over his last three starts, Gio Gonzalez is striking hitters out at a rate of 10.1 K/9. Impressively, he has done this against the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rangers. How many strikeouts does Gio pick up against the Royals decidedly less intimidating lineup? [3 points] 7 K
Moneyball draftee Mark Teahen has been having a solid year at the plate and has contributed on defense at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and right field. How many defensive positions does he play in this series? [3 points] 2 DePo
According to UZR, the Royals suffer from the second worst defence in baseball (only the Red Sox are worse). The Athletics have been slightly above average and the difference between the Oakland and Kansas City defences has been nearly 40 runs so far this season! In this series, which team converts ball in play into outs at a higher rate? (Calculated as (total outs made – K – CS) / (PA – HR – K – BB)) [1 if right, -1 if wrong]
No idea, guessing A’s.

1. 2-1 Royals
2. 8 IP/2 ER/ 7K
3. 11 ground-ball outs
4. No, Yes
5. 13 AB/1 BB/2 XBH for the series [2 points each]
6. Wow, I thought Crosby was horrible. No walks for the worst player in the Majors.
7. Wuertz
8. 8 strickouts
9. 2
10. A’s

The A’s are playing better. Let’s see if my optimistic guesses come true :)

Three game series @ Kansas City Royals — August 7-9

Series outcome A’s 2, KC 1
The A’s have to face Zach Greinke this time. Predict IP/ER/K for the best pitcher in the AL 6.5IP, 2ER, 4K
Brian Bannister, already known for his strong grasp of sabremetrics, has been studying up on PitchFx. His groundball/flyball ratio jumped from around 1 to 1.5. How many groundball outs does Bannister record against the A’s? 5
Does Giambi play in the series? Do the A’s add any non-Giambi players to their roster ? No Giambi (thanks for the memories!), Yes they add someone
With 2 HR in the series against Texas, Kurt Suzuki is up to 8 HR on the season, surpassing his total for 2008. He passed his career high for doubles 2 weeks ago in the series at New York. Predict Suzuki’s AB/BB/XBH for the series 11AB, 2BB, 3XBH
Former Royals shortstop Tony Pena Jr was so awful that they traded for Yuniesky Betancourt from the Mariners and are converting Pena into a pitcher. Will Yuni manage to earn a free pass off of A’s pitchers this series? No
Which Oakland reliever logs the most innings in the series? Wuertz
Over his last 3 starts, Gio Gonzalez is striking hitters out at a rate of 10.1 K/9. How many strikeouts does Gio pick up against the Royals less intimidating lineup? 5Ks
Mark Teahen has been having a solid year at the plate and has contributed on defense at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and right field. How many defensive positions does he play in this series? 2
According to UZR, the Royals suffer from the second worst defence in baseball (only the Red Sox are worse). The Athletics have been slightly above average. In this series, which team converts ball in play into outs at a higher rate? Hmm… A’s

1. 2-1 A’s
2.7/2/7
3.6
4.No,No
5.12/1/2
6.no
7.Bailey
8.7
9.2
10. A’s

1. A’s sweep
2. 5.2/4/4
3. 7
4. No and no
5. 12/1/4
6. No
7. Breslow
8. 6
9. 2
10. A’s

1. 2-1 A’s
2. 7IP/3ER/5K
3. 8
4. No, Yes
5. 11AB/2BB/2XBH
6. Yes
7. Breslow
8. 7K
9. Two
10. Oakland

1. 2-1 Oakland
2. Greinke = 7 IP, 1 ER, 8 K
3. Bannister gets 7 ground ball outs
4. no, no
5. Suzuki = 12 AB, 1 BB, 2 XBH
6. no
7. Ziegler
8. 6 Ks for Gio
9. Teahen plays three defensive positions
10. Oakland

GOG 36
1. 2-1 A’s
2. 7.1/3/6
3. 6
4. no no
5. 14/2/3
6. no
7. bailey
8. 8
9. 3
10. a’s

1. A’s sweep
2. 5.1/6/8
3. 9
4. no, yes
5. 13/0/4
6. no
7. Breslow
8. 11 K’s
9. 2
10. A’s

1. 2-1 A’s
2.7/2/7
3.6
4.No,No
5.12/1/2
6.no
7.Bailey
8.7
9.2
10. A’s

1. Series outcome: 2-1 A’s
2. Greinke: 7 IP/3 ER, 5K
3. Bannister: 6 ground ball outs
4. G – No (nobody better have gotten this wrong), non-G player added – Yes
5. Suzuki: 12 AB/0 BB/2 XBH
6. 0 walks for Betancourt
7. E-Gon took one for the team by going 3 2/3 on Saturday.
8. 0 strickouts for Gio since he didn’t pitch
9. Teahen – 2 positions (two games in RF, one at 1B)
10. The Royals were better at recording outs on balls in play: Royals – .718, A’s – .642