GOG 2009 #50
It's the 50th GOG of the season! Thinking back to late April, where did we all think that we would be at this point? If I take a look here, I see that roughly 90% of us thought that these last series against the Angels would be a meaningful part of the division race.
Now, some might say that the A's have been playing like a playoff team over the last month or so. I would just like to point out that, for this series, one team is starting Jered Weaver, John Lackey, and Joe Saunders while the other team is starting Gio Gonzalez, Dana Eveland, and Edgar Gonzalez. I think that I can pick the playoff team out of that lineup. Putting aside some justifiable pessimism, I'll just focus on the A's offense, which has definitely been clicking lately, and the remarkable job that the bullpen has done. The race is still on to determine whether Oakland or LAAAAAAA will finish with more wins for the decade. So let's go A's!
Links
GOG #50 :: Last Rats of the Season (32 points possible)
Three game series @ Los Angeles Angels -- September 25-27
UPDATE -- answers added below in bold
- Series outcome [3 points] 2-1 Oakland
- Rank the three Angels starters (Weaver, Lackey, and Saunders) by pitcher game score, best to worst [2 points for each correct position] Weaver (50), Saunders (48), Lackey (24)
- In their most recent starts, Gio, Dana, and Edgar pitched only 3.2, 5, and 3.1 innings, respectively. How many total innings for the A's starting pitchers against the second best offense in baseball? [3 points] 14.2 IP
- In 351 career plate appearances against Oakland, Vlad Guerrero has been held to a mere .884 OPS (compare to an American League career value of .930). Predict his AB/H/TB for the series [2 points each] 12 AB, 1 H, 1 TB
- Jack Cust is currently tied with Scutaro for fourth in the AL with 90 bases on balls (Figgins is first, followed by Abreu and Bay). How many walks does Cust draw in this series? [3 points] only one BB for Spartacust
- About a week ago, Mike Scioscia said that he was considering giving some save opportunities to Kevin Jepsen. This hasn't happened yet, and Fuentes continues to lead the AL in saves (currently tied with Joe Nathan). Jepsen has been the much better pitcher this season, despite having a nearly identical ERA to Fuentes. They have the same strikeout rate, but Jepsen walks fewer hitters, keeps the ball on the ground, and allows far fewer HR. By WAR, Jepsen has been a full win better than Fuentes this season. Of these two relievers, who has the lower ERA for the series? Who allows the fewest hits per inning? Who has the lowest walks allowed per inning? [+1 for each right answer, -1 for each wrong] Jepsen posted a 21.60 ERA, allowing 1.8 hits and 1.2 walks per IP (1.2 innings total) while Fuentes pitched 1 inning and allowed no runs, 1 hit, no walks... so Fuentes wins in all three categories
- Of the five projections systems displayed on fangraphs (Bill James, CHONE, Marcel the monkey, Oliver, and ZiPS) expectations for Erick Aybar's OPS this season ranged from .660 to .701. The fact that he is currently OPSing .761 while playing good defense at shortstop is another reason why I hate the Angels. ZiPS is still not impressed, projecting him to put up a .655 OPS for the rest of this season. Guess whether Aybar has an OPS of above or below .700 for the series [+1 if right, -1 if wrong] Aybar OPSed .946 for the series, which is decidedly above .700
- Win Probability Added values for relief pitchers can fly all over the place, thanks to high leverage situations near the end of close games. Which Oakland reliever has the best WPA for this series? [3 points] Wuertz has the most WPA, with +.113
- Oakland hitters have received only 16 intentional walks, fewer than any other team in baseball. Do the Angels choose to put any Athletic on first for free? [+1 if right, -1 if wrong] nope
- How many games in the series are decided by 3 runs or fewer? [3 points] 2 (games 1 and 3)
Jered Weaver kicks things off at 7:05 sharp. Go Oakland!
Results
After grading the first few questions, I thought that Angry Sean had a shot at a perfect score. It didn't work out, but he still did well. So did a couple other people.
Overall scoring statistics
- mean = 5.42857 points
- standard deviation = 4.21927 points
- mode = 3, 5, or 12 points
Your Scores
The winners for GOG 50 are swatnick and Angry Sean! Those two plus JLeverenz were pretty much head and shoulders above everyone else on this one. Also, I would be remiss not to note that JLeverenz crossed the 200 point mark and Rated-R Superstar passed 300 points!
| name | place (this GOG) | score (this GOG) | # of GOGs | place (all GOG) | score (all GOG) | place (by AVG) | score by AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| swatnick | 1 | 12 | 29 | 8 | 245 | 1 | 0.264 |
| Angry Sean | 12 | 45 | 9 | 244 | 23 | 0.167 | |
| JLeverenz | 3 | 11 | 31 | 15 | 208 | 8 | 0.209 |
| Rated-R Superstar | 4 | 8 | 44 | 3 | 305 | 7 | 0.218 |
| micdog2001 | 5 | 7 | 41 | 5 | 276 | 9 | 0.208 |
| muffinpryde | 6 | 6 | 42 | 10 | 238 | 21 | 0.174 |
| colin | 7 | 5 | 48 | 6 | 274 | 18 | 0.177 |
| stranahanahan | 5 | 14 | 33 | 74 | N/E | 0.173 | |
| streetfan | 9 | 4 | 45 | 14 | 209 | 27 | 0.142 |
| nevermoor | 10 | 3 | 45 | 1 | 357 | 2 | 0.244 |
| easyraider | 3 | 19 | 20 | 129 | 10 | 0.204 | |
| zaniac75 | 12 | 1 | 48 | 2 | 348 | 5 | 0.225 |
| adragon | 13 | 0 | 32 | 17 | 167 | 25 | 0.161 |
| doctorK | 14 | -1 | 50 | 7 | 263 | 24 | 0.163 |
| 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 | 11 | 232 | 4 | 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 |
| 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 | 21 | 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 | 34 | 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 | 16 | 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 | 35 | 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 |
| 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 | 21 | 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 | 21 | 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 |
1 recs |
16 comments
Comments
On again off again is on again
1. 2-1 SlengA, (I was going to put 2-1 A’s until I saw our starting pitchers…ugh!)
2. Lackey, Weaver, Saunders
3. 12.2
4. 14/4/8
5. 3, (to his 6 K’s)
6. Jepson across the board
7. under .700
8. Bailey
9. no
10. 2 games
PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves
by adragon on Sep 25, 2009 12:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Huge props for taking this GoG thing the whole way
1. 2-1 Bad Guys
2. Lackey, Saunders, Weaver
3. 15
4. 12/4/6
5. 2
6. All Jepson
7. Above
8. Bailey
9. No
10. All 3
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on Sep 25, 2009 12:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
well I owe you for a couple of them
and someone else is probably going to have to take over if we’re going to have GOG 2010
by colin on Sep 25, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Colin, you are a true gentleman and a scholar for doin this the whole year, and I wouldn't mind putting my name in the mix to keep it up for next year...
1. A’s 3-0
2. Lackey, Weaver, Saunders
3. 16
4. 12/3/5
5. 3
6. All Jepsen
7. Below
8. Wuertz
9. No
10. 2
"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 25, 2009 1:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
beat the sleGOGnA
1. 2-1 bad guys
2. Lackey, Saunders, Weaver
3. 14 innings
4. 14 AB/4 H/7 TB
5. 3
6. Jepsen across the board
7. below
8. Bailey
9. no
10. All of them
"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 25, 2009 1:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
1. 2-1 Angels
2.Weaver,Lackey,Saunders
3.17
4.12/3/7
5.2
6.They Tie in all 3
7.Below
8.Bailey
9.No
10.1
"Macha hates you"- Tacoma fans heckling Kielty
by zaniac75 on Sep 25, 2009 1:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
- 2-1 A’s
- Weaver, Saunders, Lackey
- 14.2
- 13/4/7
- Two
- ERA: Tied; Fewest Hits: Jepsen; Fewest Walks: Jepsen
- Below
- Baily
- No
- Two
by Angry Sean on Sep 25, 2009 2:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I will be there tonight - 1st row by right foul pole
1) 2-1 Angels
2) Lackey – Saunders – Weaver
3) 14
4) 13/4/6
5) 2
6) lower ERA – tie, fewest hits – Fuentes, lowest walks – Jepsen
7) above
8) Bailey
9) No
10) One
by easyraider on Sep 25, 2009 3:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
pitching matchups are just depressing
and with Oakland’s current six man rotation, we might see the same three going up against LAAAA for the final series of the year
- 2-1 Oakland (insanely optimistic)
- Lackey (best), Saunders, Weaver (worst)
- since I’m being insanely optimistic, how about 16 innings from the starters
- Vlad :: 9 AB, 2 H, 5 TB
- Cust draws 3 BB
- Jepsen for all
- Aybar’s OPS is below .700 for the series
- Ziegler, with a clutch double play ball
- nope
- two close games
by colin on Sep 25, 2009 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
GOG 50
1. 2-1 LAAAAAAAA
2. Lackey Saunders Weaver
3. 13
4. 13/3/6
5. 3
6. tie/jepsen/fuentes
7. above
8. Kilby
9. no
10. 2
They say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing all the time!
by muffinpryde on Sep 25, 2009 3:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Colin, thanks for doing to the GOG - it was a lot of fun!
1. 2-1 A’s
2. Lackey, Saunders, Weaver
3. 16 2/3 innings
4. 12/4/7
5. 4 BBs
6. Jepsen
7. Above (there’s something funny about discussing ROS predictions this late into September)
8. Bailey
9. No
10. 2 games
There is no gravity - the earth just sucks.
by JLeverenz on Sep 25, 2009 4:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I have a bad feeling about this series
1. Angels 3-0
2. Lackey, Weaver, Saunders
3. 14 2/3 IP
4. 12 AB/ 3 H/ 7 TB
5. 3 BB
6. Jepsen. Jepsen, Jepsen
7. Above
8. Jeff Gray
9. No
10. 2
GOGing has been fun, when I remember to do it. Between The GOG and my fantasy team it was a busy season. (my fantasy league ended last week and I won 1st place). Hey look, it’s LL.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
by micdog2001 on Sep 25, 2009 5:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Go A's
1. 2-1 A’s
2. Lackey, Saunders, Weaver
3. 15
4. 12/4/7
5. 2
6. Tie for ERA; Jepsen; Tie for BB/9
7. Above
8. Wuertz
9. No
10. 2
by swatnick on Sep 25, 2009 5:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
- 2-1, Athletics
- Lackey, Weaver and Saunders
- 17 IP
- 12 AB, 3 H, 5 TB
- 3 BB
- Fuentes, Fuentes and Fuentes
- Below
- Bailey
- No
- 3 G
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Sep 25, 2009 5:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Let's go A's
Three game series @ Los Angeles Angels — September 25-27
1. Series outcome A’s 2, Angels 1
2. Rank the three Angels starters by pitcher game score, best to worst Lackey, Saunders, Weaver
3. How many total innings for the A’s starting pitchers against the second best offense in baseball? 14
4. Vlad Guerrero has been held to a mere .884 OPS (compare to an American League career value of .930). Predict his AB/H/TB for the series 9, 4, 4
5. How many walks does Cust draw in this series? 4
6. Jepsen has been the much better pitcher this season, despite having a nearly identical ERA to Fuentes. Of these two relievers, who has the lower ERA for the series? Who allows the fewest hits per inning? Who has the lowest walks allowed per inning? Jepsen ERA. Fuentes hits. Jepsen walks
7. Guess whether Aybar has an OPS of above or below .700 for the series Below
8. Which Oakland reliever has the best WPA for this series? Ziggy
9. Do the Angels choose to put any Athletic on first for free? No
10. How many games in the series are decided by 3 runs or fewer? 1
by streetfan on Sep 25, 2009 7:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

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