GOG 2009 #49

by colin on Sep 21, 2009 9:07 AM PDT Comment 20 comments

Sorry, but life has been throwing me curveballs lately, so this is going to be a short GOG. Hopefully this series will turn out like the last two, right?

GOG #49 :: Ranger Revenge? (21 points possible)

Four game series vs Texas Rangers -- September 21-24

UPDATE -- answers added below in bold

Series outcome [3 points] 2-2 split
Though Brad Ziegler doesn't have the same magic as he did last season, when he set the record for consecutive scoreless innings to start a major league career, he has actually been a better pitcher. The groundballs are still there, and the ridiculously low HR rate to go with it, plus he is striking out more hitters while walking fewer. The fact that his ERA is up to 3.15 in 2009 can be explained by his BABIP, which went from .246 in 2008 to .355 in 2009. And that is really a comment on Oakland's infield defense (and a dash of luck), not anything wrong with Ziggy. Predict his IP/K/BB for these four games [2 points each] 2.1 IP, 2 K, 3 BB
Ian Kinsler is proving himself to be a star player, with his second consecutive season at 4 WAR. Comparing this year to the last one, there are some significant differences, however. His BABIP is way way down, falling from .339 in 2008 to .246 this year. Ordinarily we might chalk that all up to bad luck (and I'm sure there is some luck component in there), but part of it seems to be a real change. While Kinsler's HR per fly ball ratio is up a bit this year, the main reason that he is about to break the 30 HR mark is because he is hitting a lot more fly balls than he did in the past. His fly ball rate is up from his previous norm of 43-45% to almost 55%, and the batted ball category that has declined is line drives. A big reduction in the number of line drives he is hitting surely accounts for part of the drop in BABIP, and his batting line has suffered as a result. It will be interesting to see if this is a one year fluctuation, or if it really represents the new Ian Kinsler. Anyway, the question is to predict his hits, home runs, and line drives for the series [2 points each] 1 H, 0 HR, 1 line drive (for a game ending double play)
How many plate appearance for Travis Buck in the series? Does he record a hit? [3 points for the first question, +-1 for the second question] 6 plate appearances and he did get a hit
Which Gonzalez posts a better game score, Edgar or Gio? [+1 if right, -1 if wrong] Gio's start was moved back a day, so he didn't pitch and this question doesn't count. But even Gio could have probably done better than Edgar Gonzalez's game score of 21.
As a team, the Rangers have almost identical numbers hitting against righties (.770 OPS) and lefties (.771 OPS). In this series, do they score more runs against the A's righties or lefties (counting starters and relievers)? [+1 if right, -1 if wrong] Waaaay more runs scored off of right handed pitchers, which isn't surprising because the righties threw waaaay more innings.

Game 1 starts at 7:05 pm. Don't swing and miss!

Results

Just catching up on some grading...

Overall scoring statistics

mean = 4.41667 points
standard deviation = 3.17543 points
mode = 5 points

via cfcp.uchicago.edu

Your Scores

The big winner is Rated-R Superstar! The big loser? That would be me.

name	place (this GOG)	score (this GOG)	# of GOGs	place (all GOG)	score (all GOG)	place (by AVG)	score by AVG
Rated-R Superstar	1	10	43	3	297	7	0.218
swatnick	2	9	28	8	233	1	0.260
muffinpryde	3	6	41	9	232	21	0.174
streetfan	4	5	44	15	205	27	0.143
nevermoor		5	44	1	354	2	0.248
easyraider		5	18	20	126	8	0.210
zaniac75	7	4	47	2	347	4	0.229
Angry Sean		4	44	9	232	25	0.162
doctorK	9	3	49	7	264	23	0.167
micdog2001	10	2	40	5	269	9	0.208
stranahanahan		2	13	35	69	N/E	0.175
colin	12	-2	47	5	269	18	0.178
Mantecan As Fan	DNP	--	1	95	1	N/E	0.024
SoCal As Fan	DNP	--	14	30	93	N/E	0.200
NateHST	DNP	--	15	26	112	N/E	0.225
DCinWC	DNP	--	16	32	84	26	0.158
GoAs	DNP	--	34	12	222	14	0.197
mikeA	DNP	--	31	9	232	5	0.227
ZeroIndulgence	DNP	--	20	25	116	19	0.176
gigglingone	DNP	--	16	24	117	6	0.225
Kimberly	DNP	--	21	19	131	15	0.189
oblique	DNP	--	38	13	217	20	0.176
vegAN ryAN	DNP	--	4	52	27	N/E	0.185
diehardoaklandfan22	DNP	--	16	28	106	11	0.202
Walton711	DNP	--	1	78	9	N/E	0.214
JLeverenz	DNP	--	30	16	197	10	0.205
travdog6	DNP	--	2	95	1	N/E	0.013
Boonee	DNP	--	3	58	19	N/E	0.174
RayJEdd	DNP	--	12	29	104	N/E	0.252
A'sBowlingLeague	DNP	--	2	58	19	N/E	0.244
elephantbaseball	DNP	--	19	20	126	13	0.200
brian.only	DNP	--	4	69	14	N/E	0.096
robertmelvin	DNP	--	6	43	41	N/E	0.188
OaktownPower	DNP	--	16	27	110	12	0.201
roscoe	DNP	--	29	18	161	22	0.168
Flashfire	DNP	--	1	88	6	N/E	0.143
designatedforassignment	DNP	--	3	68	16	N/E	0.145
tresselfan	DNP	--	4	85	7	N/E	0.046
KMoAsFan	DNP	--	4	57	20	N/E	0.137
Gallagher's Watermelons	DNP	--	1	74	10	N/E	0.238
GreenOctober69	DNP	--	1	82	8	N/E	0.190
SLOtown	DNP	--	10	37	60	N/E	0.174
baseballnut020	DNP	--	9	41	51	N/E	0.173
MaineAthletic	DNP	--	12	33	73	N/E	0.187
j_rich36	DNP	--	1	85	7	N/E	0.167
scutaroknowstheway	DNP	--	1	92	3	N/E	0.071
train80	DNP	--	35	14	206	17	0.179
FormerHuntsvilleStar	DNP	--	11	31	88	N/E	0.251
jay_sensei	DNP	--	6	42	44	N/E	0.227
Athletix Man	DNP	--	9	38	59	N/E	0.199
A'sfaninNC	DNP	--	38	4	283	3	0.231
Athletics fan and runner	DNP	--	6	52	27	N/E	0.133
Holy Toledo!	DNP	--	1	92	3	N/E	0.083
Nico	DNP	--	1	74	10	N/E	0.278
EddieVegas_NRAF	DNP	--	1	99	-1	N/E	-0.028
JLaff	DNP	--	1	91	4	N/E	0.111
WaddellCanseco	DNP	--	5	51	28	N/E	0.164
crb29	DNP	--	11	34	70	N/E	0.196
eastcoasta'sfan	DNP	--	4	56	23	N/E	0.161
Oaktownflav	DNP	--	3	64	17	N/E	0.156
Future Ed	DNP	--	6	43	41	N/E	0.197
JediLeroy	DNP	--	1	82	8	N/E	0.222
Dalesman	DNP	--	2	88	6	N/E	0.083
nateh37	DNP	--	7	45	39	N/E	0.174
anomaly_kat	DNP	--	3	61	18	N/E	0.173
sprtsnwyn	DNP	--	2	64	17	N/E	0.250
VORP is too nerdy	DNP	--	4	47	32	N/E	0.234
asyouwish33	DNP	--	1	82	8	N/E	0.250
jeffro	DNP	--	4	61	18	N/E	0.150
Cutthemullet	DNP	--	3	55	24	N/E	0.238
stabbin_mcadams	DNP	--	1	74	10	N/E	0.312
jasonthea	DNP	--	4	49	30	N/E	0.219
fruitattack	DNP	--	11	48	31	N/E	0.086
adragon	DNP	--	31	17	167	24	0.166
Helloooo 1st	DNP	--	6	46	34	N/E	0.165
King Richard	DNP	--	2	71	13	N/E	0.203
jpl	DNP	--	8	40	55	N/E	0.222
baseballgirl	DNP	--	1	74	10	N/E	0.286
whiteshoes40	DNP	--	18	36	68	28	0.116
walkoff baltimore chop	DNP	--	1	85	7	N/E	0.200
spiffyjwc	DNP	--	2	71	13	N/E	0.194
samljm	DNP	--	1	78	9	N/E	0.265
pam5981	DNP	--	7	38	59	N/E	0.276
Gaijin_Suketto	DNP	--	1	69	14	N/E	0.424
harenshair	DNP	--	15	20	126	N/E	0.249
tosk	DNP	--	5	50	29	N/E	0.179
mikev	DNP	--	1	64	17	N/E	0.515
Leopold Bloom	DNP	--	1	95	1	N/E	0.029
ElQuesoCapitan	DNP	--	3	61	18	N/E	0.194
Trainman	DNP	--	2	92	3	N/E	0.049
OptimistPrime	DNP	--	1	90	5	N/E	0.179
dtownmbrown	DNP	--	4	54	25	N/E	0.182
Blicks	DNP	--	21	20	126	16	0.183
chillicothe20	DNP	--	1	78	9	N/E	0.265
ChadGod	DNP	--	1	71	13	N/E	0.382
SamYam	DNP	--	3	58	19	N/E	0.186
JLopez	DNP	--	4	78	9	N/E	0.069
robbo650	DNP	--	4	64	17	N/E	0.132
Steve in Napa	DNP	--	1	95	1	N/E	0.032

2 recs | Comment 20 comments

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Comments

Only four GOGs left (sniff, sniff)

1. 2-2
2. 3 IP/4 K/1 BB
3. 6 hits, 1 home run, 5 line drives
4. 2, no
5. Edgar
6. Righties

"If Vin Mazzaro comes anywhere near me with shaving cream he’s gonna be coming away with a bloody stump" – Dallas Braden

by doctorK on Sep 21, 2009 9:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What doctorK said.

   1. Split
   2. 3/2/0
   3. 4/1/2
   4. 4, no
   5. Gio
   6. Righties

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Sep 21, 2009 9:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What the GOG? Sorry about life's curveballs Colin.

1. Series outcome [3 points] A’s 3 – 1
2. Predict his IP/K/BB for these four games [2 points each] 1 IP/ 2 K/ 1 BB
3. Anyway, the question is to predict his hits, home runs, and line drives for the series [2 points each] 4 hits / 1 HR/ 4 Line Drives
4. How many plate appearance for Travis Buck in the series? Does he record a hit? [3 points for the first question, -1 for the second question] 3 AB/ no hits
5. Which Gonzalez posts a better game score, Edgar or Gio? [1 if right, -1 if wrong] Edgar
6. As a team, the Rangers have almost identical numbers hitting against righties (.770 OPS) and lefties (.771 OPS). In this series, do they score more runs against the A’s righties or lefties (counting starters and relievers)? [+1 if right, -1 if wrong] More against righties

You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Sep 21, 2009 12:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

turned out to be a hanging curve

I went from “I’m never gonna graduate” to “I’m totally going to graduate!” in the span of about half an hour this afternoon.

by colin on Sep 21, 2009 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

that’s good.

You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Sep 22, 2009 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

3-1 A’s
2IP/ 1K/ 1BB
5H/ 0HR/ 3 Line Drives
Four, Yes
Gio
Righties

by Angry Sean on Sep 21, 2009 2:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good eye easyraider

I just noticed that Gio’s next start shouldn’t be until the series openner against the Angels. I want to change my answer for number 5 to Edgar.

by Angry Sean on Sep 21, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you see that Gio is pitching in this series?

I am not seeing that anywhere

by easyraider on Sep 21, 2009 2:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

man

I only had 6 questions to start with and now one is garbage. Thanks A’s for your rotation swapping shenanigans.

by colin on Sep 21, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about Henry?

Don’t we have a new reliever named Henry Gonzalez? Or is that Rodriguez?! And do relievers count for game scores?

by streetfan on Sep 21, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Henry Rodriguez

and game score only works for starters

by colin on Sep 22, 2009 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I assume we're just tossing it... If not I too want Edgar.

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Sep 21, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

1.3-1 Rangers
2.2/0/1
3.6/0/4
4.5/yesh
5.Edgar
6.Righties

"Macha hates you"- Tacoma fans heckling Kielty

by zaniac75 on Sep 21, 2009 2:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

1. A’s 3-1
2. 4/3/2
3. 4/1/3
4. 5, yes
5. Edgar
6. Righties

"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."

by stranahanahan on Sep 21, 2009 2:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2-2
3 IP, 2 K, 1 BB
4 H, 1 HR, 4 line drives
6 PA; yes
Gio Gonzalez
Right

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Sep 21, 2009 3:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Go A's

   1. 2-2 split
   2. 2/1/0
   3. 3, 0, 1
   4. 8, yes
   5. Gio
   6.Righties

by swatnick on Sep 21, 2009 4:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GOG 49

1. 3-1 A’s
2. 3/2/2
3. 5/0/4
4. 4 yes
5. Gio
6. righties

They say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing all the time!

by muffinpryde on Sep 21, 2009 5:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

3-1 Oakland
Ziggy :: 2.2 IP, 1 K, 0 BB
Kinsler :: 5 H, 1 HR, 3 line drives
4 PA for Buck… and he doesn’t record a hit
yeah, so this question probably won’t count, unless there is some new surprise, but let’s say Edgar, just because
Rangers score more off of LHP

by colin on Sep 21, 2009 5:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I tied a win in #47 and got to 200!

Good job easyraider, 2 wins in a row. Do you feel like the Sweepin’ A’s?!

Four game series vs Texas Rangers — September 21-24
   1. Series outcome Split
   2. Though Brad Ziegler doesn’t have the same magic as he did last season, he has actually been a better pitcher. Predict his IP/K/BB for these four games 3IP, 3, 2BB
   3. Ian Kinsler is proving himself to be a star player. Anyway, the question is to predict his hits, home runs, and line drives for the series 10 hits, 1HR, 4 line drives
   4. How many plate appearance for Travis Buck in the series? Does he record a hit? 7PA, yes he gets a hit
   5. Which Gonzalez posts a better game score, Edgar or Gio? Edgar
   6. In this series, do they score more runs against A’s righties or lefties (starters and relievers)? Righties

by streetfan on Sep 21, 2009 5:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs