Royals Erupt For 5 Runs In 9th!!! (To Lose By Less)
by Nico on Jul 18, 2010 2:08 PM PDT
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PrintIt was a kind of ordinary, and frankly quite pleasant, game through 8 innings, with the A's leading 6-1. Then Jack Cust bombed a 3-run HR -- the A's 3rd HR of the game -- to make it a laugher. Or...To give the A's the runs they would need to stave off a late Royals' charge of 5 runs off of Brad Ziegler, Cedrick Bowers, Jerry Blevins, and finally Andrew Bailey, summoned to throw one pitch and earn his 20th save.
For all his attention to sabermetric strategies, Brian Bannister did not employ them well, walking 6 and hitting a batter, and allowing HRs to Adam Rosales and Kevin Kouzmanoff, in 6.2 IP. Vin Mazzaro, meanwhile, allowed a run in the 1st inning and nothing more, cruising for a career high 7.2 IP of 7 hit, one run ball, walking just one and striking out 7 to earn his fifth win and drop his ERA down to 3.50. Not bad for the A's #7 starter coming out of spring training.
So the A's are back to .500, having won 5 in a row, coming home to test their legitimacy against their one achilles heel: Teams that don't suck. If you like socks of various colors this homestand is right up your alley, as the A's will host first the Red Sox and then the White Sox -- two teams with winning records who have a sense of urgency about their place in a hotly contested 3-way division race.
We'll learn a lot about the A's this coming week.
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Bailey gave my niece the game winning ball
Awesome stuff!!
Spending time with my nephew and the AN Crew on July 10th...PRICELESS!
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 18, 2010 2:11 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Now THAT is awesome!
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
that's awesome
Hello, I'm Vince Cotroneo for the Marmaduke B. Mushmouth School of Public Speaking...
by emperor nobody on Jul 18, 2010 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Again?!
Man, your relatives have nice luck.
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
Not me though
Spending time with my nephew and the AN Crew on July 10th...PRICELESS!
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 18, 2010 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions
So cool! You got two great series didn't you?
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
It's been one of the best weeks of my
Adult baseball life
Spending time with my nephew and the AN Crew on July 10th...PRICELESS!
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 18, 2010 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice!
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
awesomeness!!!!!!
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions
NAIS
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
by ElQuesoCapitan on Jul 18, 2010 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Grumble grumble
I’m sick of cute kids and hot chicks getting all the balls. If I were a baseball player I’d give it to the drunk fat guy. I know who’s paying my salary.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
by iglew on Jul 18, 2010 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
If you know who's paying your salary, you should probably give the ball to the owner of the team
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Cedric Blowers...
…is the Gabe Gross of our bullpen.
by HCF from Oakball on Jul 18, 2010 2:12 PM PDT reply actions
Why is he still up?
He should go down and have Kilby come up
"Like I said, it’s like me giving you a high-five and chest bump after you hit for the cycle against the kid in the wheelchair." Vacafan on May 14, 2010
Kilby is on the DL.
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
The CT thread is here.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 18, 2010 2:13 PM PDT reply actions
Mazzaro YAY
Into the 8th? Nice.
We hit 3 HRs too, can’t complain. I hope the 9th inning shenanigans get Bowers sent down, I trust him not. Thank Jeebus Cust got that one wet in the 9th or we’d be still playing and in all likelihood steam’d be coming out of our ears.
Hello, I'm Vince Cotroneo for the Marmaduke B. Mushmouth School of Public Speaking...
This is why I dislike the "save" statistic
very unrevealing stat
Blez: Most folks seem to believe that the big flaw with the 2010 Oakland A's will be the lack of any power.
Beane: They believe it because it's true.
by One won lost won on Jul 18, 2010 2:14 PM PDT reply actions
But Bailey loves it
Save like this here and there = more money in arbitration.
"Rollins helps them with the small ball when he's not in the lineup." - Joe Morgan
mebbe
Blez: Most folks seem to believe that the big flaw with the 2010 Oakland A's will be the lack of any power.
Beane: They believe it because it's true.
by One won lost won on Jul 18, 2010 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions
This is one of those rare times, Geren made his stats better
There were a couple of times earlier this year where Bailey brought him in with a runner on third and less than two outs in a save situation and he was charged with a blown save
Indeed. That's how I feel about the maillot.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
If you are a specialist pitcher, relied upon to not give up a lead
then the stat that would matter the most would be something I like to call: RUNS ALLOWED/GAMES PITCHED. Relief pitching is very simple, a pass/fail outing. You give up earned runs = you fail, you give up nothing = you did your job. Its as simple as the formula for the stat.
So, say you gave up runs in 3 games out of 30 your number would be 3/30, wherein the first number would be the lowest and the second number the highest = good reliever. You then divide it so it looks like a reverse batting average where the lower it is, the better.
E.G.
Andrew Baileys’ number is 7/37 for 0.189, which is good.
Mariano Riveras’ number is 3/35 = 0.085, which is incredible.
Cedric Bowers’ number is 5/13 for 0.385, which is terrible.
I cant see any immediate flaws with it, although I am certain there are. Help me out if there’s some amendments needed…
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
What's wrong with it is the issue of "inherited runners"
It would only work if every reliever always started an inning and finished that inning. What if Blevins, facing DeJesus yesterday in a 5-5 game, had given up a bases-clearing triple? Good outing?
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
Inherited runners is probably even more important for a relief pitcher
Especially when many of them don’t complete an inning. If you take someone who gave up a sac fly for a run charged to someone else, that guy pitched and didn’t allow a run to his own record (good) but gave up an inherited run (bad, though sometimes very hard to prevent).
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Those runs would be attatched to whoever put them on base.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
that was Nico's point...
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Jul 18, 2010 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
I had a point???
Well that’s a bonus.
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
Yes but you can hide it with a hat
"Like I said, it’s like me giving you a high-five and chest bump after you hit for the cycle against the kid in the wheelchair." Vacafan on May 14, 2010
How is this any different than ERA?
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
by danmerqury on Jul 18, 2010 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You don't multiply by 9, silly.
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
This is runs per outing (games), not runs per inning. nor is it multiplied by 9.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
So...basically it's ERA divided by 9, and the inability to recognize longer outings from shorter ones?
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
theres no 9 involved
its games runs given up in divided by games appeared in.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
Ah, got it --
So…basically it’s ERA divided by 9, and the inability to recognize longer outings from shorter ones?
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
Mazzaro was great today
I would hate to see him demoted back to AAA when Anderson is back. I don’t think going with a 6-man rotation would be a bad idea.
Also, is Spartacust back? If he could hit HRs like it’s 2007 again, that would be huge for this team.
"Rollins helps them with the small ball when he's not in the lineup." - Joe Morgan
At this point I'd rather have Mazzaro in the rotation than Braden.
by Brett Narloch on Jul 18, 2010 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I think we'll see both:
Anderson
Cahill
Braden
Gonzalez
Mazzaro
Just a guess.
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
Sheets traded?
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Jul 18, 2010 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Just a guess.
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
Hmmmmmm....
Sheets isn’t going to get a top-level prospect. And if the A’s play well this next week they could be under 7 games outs.
I think that if the A’s keep hanging around, the chances of him being traded are less.
If Beane gets a no-brainer he’ll take it… otherwise Sheets will be an A all year.
by Brett Narloch on Jul 18, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Even if the A's do keep hanging around
and especially if they do, it should be the best 5 starters in the organization in the rotation. If that’s Anderson-Cahill-Gonzalez-Braden-Mazzaro with Sheets in the pen and spot-starting, so be it.
If the A’s are floating contenders, the 2010 version of the recent-years Rockies, or anything along those lines, it should still be the best players on the field
"Swingles is Day to Day: IE: He’s being turned into a zombie, but they don’t want the world to know for another 5 days (retroactive)" ~Zonis
But on what planet is Sheets best slotted in the bullpen?
He’s gone 6+ IP 13 consecutive starts and has been an above-average SP during that time. Has he been the ace he was with the Brewers? No. Has he been “very solid”? Sure.
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
No, seriously just a guess.
I think Sheets is worth more than many ANers think and I also think Beane knows the A’s aren’t winning the West this year. I also think he might be being showcased tomorrow for the Red Sox.
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
See the post I just put up...
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
don't the Red Sox need bullpen help
a lot more than starting pitchers? Sure, they have given some starts to Felix Doubrant, which seems pretty desperate, but I think that Buchholz and Beckett are pretty close to returning.
I think Boston would be a great trade target for Breslow (except I don’t know enough about their system to say if they have anyone worth trading for) — their left-handed bullpen options are terrible.
I agree with Nico.
It makes sense to trade Sheets, regardless of whether we perceive this year’s team as “going for it” or not. It’s not because he’s bad, and it’s not because he’s good. It’s because he’s worth more to another team than he is to us.
I think they’re just biding their time till the trade deadline to see what happens with our guys coming back from injury. If Anderson of Braden has a setback, or if another pitcher breaks down, then the equation changes and maybe we decide to keep Sheets after all. But if it gets to be the end of the month and we’re looking at six or seven starters who are at least tolerably good and no room on the roster to play them all, then yeah, of course Sheets gets traded. What’s the alternative? Trade one of the younger guys instead? Demote someone to AAA who is doing just fine in the majors? Screw a guy up by putting him in the bullpen instead?
The other GMs know this. They’re not just scouting Sheets. They’re going to be watching Anderson and Braden, too, because they know that if those guys are back then Sheets is available.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Except.....
You’re looking at two guys with elbow problems, Anderson and Braden, and nobody in Sacramento who can fill in for any stretch of time - at least not until/if Tomko is back. Bowers sucks. I know this runs counter to everyone’s feelings, and probably counter to what will happen next year, but I would move Mazzaro into the ’pen, and have him fill the Tyson Ross role at first, i.e. three innings here and there, and the occasional fill-in start if necessary.
Also, since he’s been pitching well, it’s possible he’ll be a very good addition to the late-inning reliever rotation, particularly since Ziegler has been pitching very poorly of late.
No way I send him down, and unless the offer is really good, no way I trade Sheets.
Our staff will be dangerous next year
Very dangerous!!
Spending time with my nephew and the AN Crew on July 10th...PRICELESS!
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 18, 2010 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions
You have to say that
if that is the starting lineup soon or next season, I’m not sure too many teams can say they have better all round SP.
Anderson
Cahill
Braden
Gonzalez
Mazzaro
Braden should be the #5 starter
"Life is tough .... It's even tougher if you're stupid." - John Wayne
What about giving BA more rest?
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
Only bad luck will stop Minny winning
6-5 Sox with bases loaded and no outs.
YEAAAAAAAHHHHHH
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
by ElQuesoCapitan on Jul 18, 2010 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Who is worried about Ziegler?
It seems like hes been a gas can all year.
He's not missing bats and still giving up HRs like they're party favors at Chuck-E-Cheese - mikev
by designatedforassignment on Jul 18, 2010 2:20 PM PDT reply actions
Me worried..
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
I think this year is more his talent level than last.
by Brett Narloch on Jul 18, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Meaning I just don't think he's as good as he was last year and the year before.
by Brett Narloch on Jul 18, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
his novelty has worn off the hitters
eventually, a guy like Ziggy is figured out, and batters don’t bite at his “frisbee”. Word gets around, and…
Blez: Most folks seem to believe that the big flaw with the 2010 Oakland A's will be the lack of any power.
Beane: They believe it because it's true.
by One won lost won on Jul 18, 2010 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions
The league has tape on him now.
It’s why the truly great ones are actually great. They don’t win with smoke and mirrors.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Well just about every game is televised and I imagine teams put a lot of effort into compiling tape
shouldn’t the league have had tape on him a long time ago? I can’t imagine it took this long for players to get a handle on what Ziegler is doing. I mean, you don’t need to wait until Ziegler to throw over 100 innings to realize that you have to make him get the ball up and then he becomes beatable.
Well, when Ziegler was on he threw a ton of first-pitch strikes before throwing things out of the zone.
That may have also been a function of batters not being able to identify what was a strike.
I've often wondered about this...
… is there a novelty factory in sidearmers and submariners that gets found out eventually (either at the individual hitting player level or the macro level)?
Must be some stats on this:
- hitters facing a pitcher for the first time (Submariner vs the rest)
- trends over time on them
erratic
and usually because of off-field stuff. Heard he was sick with a bug, etc.
Blez: Most folks seem to believe that the big flaw with the 2010 Oakland A's will be the lack of any power.
Beane: They believe it because it's true.
by One won lost won on Jul 18, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
In Theory we are getting Red Sox and White Sox at the right time
Whitesox could not keep that up and Red Sox are not exactly lighting it up either.
true dat
Blez: Most folks seem to believe that the big flaw with the 2010 Oakland A's will be the lack of any power.
Beane: They believe it because it's true.
by One won lost won on Jul 18, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I doubt it will matter
I’m not expecting a great homestand.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Jul 18, 2010 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Starting five are looking very good.
With Braden and Anderson back in the lineup in the near future – I’d trade Sheets. Perhaps we could get some power for him, or someone to shore up the bullpen. But with Geren at the helm I don’t see us making a play for the division. Geren lacks the leadership qualities to take the team to a division title. I hope he proves me wrong.
Unfortunately I don't think any teams have been scouting Sheets.
Maybe we could get a prospect or two for him.
They have been.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 18, 2010 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions
GOG #30 updated with answers and scores
danmerqury, I corrected yours – you shorted yourself two points.
BEER IS GOOD. BEER IS GOOD. BEER IS GOOD, AND STUFF.
Have they said how bad the injury is?
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Already? Wow apparently money buys you a training staff.
Our lot would still be poking and prodding him. He was only taken out of the game a few hours ago.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
The a's staff would
send him out for 2 more starts before he gets a second opinion and finds out he has a shattered Ulna
WTF GEREN?!?!?!
I was going to correct you and say it was a strained groin
But I could see how a strained groin could turn into a shattered ulna with the A’s pitching staff.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Even if the A's stay in contention
Losing Sheets in a trade won’t drastically hurt our chances as long as Anderson and Braden come back healthy. In fact, our contention prospects could improve if Sheets is flipped for, say, a solid bullpen arm under team control for a while and a middling prospect, which seems like a realistic enough return.
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
Agreed, but...
as long as Anderson and Braden come back healthy
That’s key. Are they (or the rest of our pitchers) going to remain healthy for the rest of the year?
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
I'm still terrified that Anderson will end up having a major surgery...
keeping him out all year next year.
by Brett Narloch on Jul 18, 2010 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't worry we've always got Morty to fall back on....
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I think it all depends on what kind of offers the A's get for Sheets
There is some pitching depth but I get the feeling that Sheets has become kind of a leader in the clubhouse and the A’s don’t want to lose his leadership and risking sending a message of resignation to the team. Now this doesn’t mean they’ll be holding out for some top notch prospect but I don’t think he will be involved in an Orlando Cabrera-type deal where the A’s move him just to try and get anything for him while opening up roster space for a younger player. At this point I’m not sure that there are any teams out there that will be willing to give up anything of significance for a couple months of Sheets even if the A’s eat a lot of the money remaining on his contract.
I had similar thoughts about trading Sheets
in Nico’s “Ben Sheets” post…..
really loved it when he was giving Mazzaro the ice pack bath…priceless!
:)
"By the end of the year, I'll have Dallas throwing right-handed'' -Ben Sheets
Happy birthday, Ben. Your present is ...
you get to play on a contending team that has a chance of making the playoffs.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
You mean Sheets' birthday is in March?
Damn Pisces!
"Burt Reynolds witnessed the conception of his own dad, and frankly, that's what's wrong with him."- TPDMTD!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 18, 2010 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey!
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 18, 2010 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I like the pitching matchups against Boston
Sheets vs. Matsuzaka (he’s been shaky lately and we rocked him last time)
Braden vs Wakefield (same deal as Matsuzaka, but worse lately)
Gonzalez vs Buckholtz (first start back from rehab)
So I left when Mazzaro was pulled from the game. I figured everything was well in hand.
WTF happened?
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 3:29 PM PDT reply actions
Ziegler and Bowers happened.
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
mlb.com says Kouzmanoff happened, too
Only one of Bowers’ runs was earned.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
It was a tough error to charge him with.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 18, 2010 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I can think of 2 or 3 from June that were pretty obvious errors that were called hits
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Thank Goodness. If there was just the HR you might have felt cause to acknowledge Kouz is a decent ballplayer.
I agree with RRS and Fosse that the play should have been ruled a hit. If Kouzmanoff stays back and waits for the hop its probably an infield single. I would say the fact that he aggressively charged a tricky bouncer is to his credit.
People are awfully hard on Kouz around here.
and refuse to acknowledge his career history that says he heats up with the bat as the year goes on.
Really wish people would wait until mid September to talk about his year.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
Maybe, but that's just not how it works with players
It’s all about what people have done lately. If he has a bad month or a bad couple weeks, people are going to say something. If he heats up in August people are going to say something too.
It’d be the same thing with anyone in the bullpen who goes through a rough stretch, and we all know who those guys are right now. If any of them recover and end strongly, that’s worth talking about just the same as their struggles are now.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Baseball season is the longest in sports
its strange people dont account for the big picture and instead go with a “what have you done for me lately” viewpoint.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
Or maybe they can project what Kouz will likely do
and just don’t think it’s that spectacular. He’s a decent fielding 3Bman good for an “ok” BA, poor OBP, decent SLG, and maybe 20 HRs. It’s an upgrade from what we’ve had at 3B, and it’s not great. It’s fine.
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
It is also his first season in the AL
give the guy a chance to adjust, talk to me at the end of next year
"Like I said, it’s like me giving you a high-five and chest bump after you hit for the cycle against the kid in the wheelchair." Vacafan on May 14, 2010
Because "what have you done for me lately" kind of matters at that specific point in time
The season is a marathon, not a sprint, but since some people like to compare sports to military operations you could say the season is like a war but each game or series or roadtrip is like a battle. If you’re winning or losing a lot at one time or another (or looking really good or really bad), people are naturally going to react to that. It’s natural to do so.
Most of the time, the average player is going to do what they usually do from one season to the next. Every so often they either do much better or much worse than that, expectations thrown out the window.
In the end it’s all about how much each player helps his team win or lose.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Also, though he's taken a weird route to it
with a huge low and a huge high, to this point in the season Kouz has pretty much done exactly what we expected. He’s hitting .271/.307 with a little less slugging (.392) than he’ll probably provide overall — so his second half surge probably looks like more .271/.307 but with a few more 2B and HR sprinkled in. He’s not gonna suddenly start getting on base at a .380 clip.
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
Sounds about right, I'd say
I don’t remember what PL78 was predicting heading into the season, though – OPS of over .800 from Kouzmanoff? Something like that?
Last of the Ninth - Photography
He'd pretty much have to slug .500 for that to happen.
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
Ya that's not happening. My problem with Kouzmanoff is that
he’s a bad fit for the Coliseum. A righty hitter who depends on singles and HR that aren’t 450 ft isn’t going to hit much there. A’s should get lefties for power and righties that walk and steal bases. Or someone like McGwire who hits it really far.
Don't be such Ynoa et al. -- oblique
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 18, 2010 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes. Do NOT get Evan Longoria!
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
But he already hit at Petco and he was a good player there
Petco is only a slightly different park than the Coli. It’s still only 330 feet to get it out in every corner. He’ll be fine here. He’s never going to crank 30 HR. 17 HR from our 3Bman is just fine right now.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Jul 18, 2010 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Part of the problem isn't even his fault
He’s a number 7 hitter put in the 3-4-5 spot on this team because, well, he sometimes hits a homer.
Still, he’s basically been the worst offensive regular on the team. His OPS+ is only slightly better than Davis’, and Davis has positive value on the bases.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes but the Coliseum is a worse HR park for RH
than Petco. He’d be better off basically anywhere else other than these two places.
Don't be such Ynoa et al. -- oblique
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 19, 2010 5:31 AM PDT up reply actions
I do go with the big picture, which is that I think he's a pretty much garbage offensive player
Who, historically, has rated as barely above average with the glove.
If you want us to admit he’ll “heat up,” why won’t you admit his history suggests he’s not anything special defensively?
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions
He's had 3 years in the bigs.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
I actually think his history suggests he could be something special defensively,
but based on the numbers alone its still impossible to say really. UZR seems to think he’s having a career year with the glove, and he should finish up at least a win above average even if he regresses in the second half.
I think Kouzmanoff is the sort of defender who looks worse on TV than he really is. You don’t get a sense of a 3B’s range on a TV broadcast – most balls are hit hard and fast, and you don’t get a chance to see how a player has positioned himself. What you do see with Kouz is that his footwork gets a bit clunky after he fields balls and is trying to position himself for the throw, but he makes up for this with an incredibly strong arm, and a very quick throwing motion following his transfers. If he’s making more errors this season its also worth noting that his range has improved, so he’s getting to difficult balls that most 3B wouldn’t.
What I've been unpleasantly surprised about
is his throwing accuracy (or lack thereof). It hasn’t seemed that great.
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
For what it's worth, I didn't say Kouzmanoff sucked (especially offensively) after an 0 for 4
I said he sucked with the bat when the trade happened and he’s been proving me right.
People point to the park he played in, but he’s actually been quite a bit worse (mainly because Oakland is no picnic and the AL is better) than normal this year. And, ya know, a .735 career OPS that is very slugging heavy really is nothing to write home about.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions
My point
Is to wait until September to make judgments on him.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
Why?
In September we can judge what he did. Now we can talk about what we reasonably expect. They’re both legit.
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
Oh good, we won. Go team.
Don’t make me get my hopes up that we’re in with a shot though. That’d be too big a teAse.
Oh and Inception is very good. I’d have to see it again to work out if it’s great or not – I’m not exactly sure about the ending. I have an idea, but I don’t know if it’s the right one; or if there is an actual accepted ending.
It’s definitely worth watching though, for those on the fence after reading the synopsis.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Come on!
Don’t jump off the bridge yet. There is no reason we cannot make a run. RIGHT NOW….a healthy Anderson, Cahill, Gio, Mazzaro and Braden can take us deep. A resurgent Cust can fuel us, Kouz is heating up…it’s not beyond the pale of reason. Chin up lad!
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't mean to point out bad stuff mid-winning streak
But Coco Crisp has quietly become really kinda shitty at being a leadoff hitter. Sub-.300 OBP = Rajai Davis. Actually, Rajai’s OBP is about 20 points higher than Coco’s right now. When does this become an issue?
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 3:43 PM PDT reply actions
He has 79 ABs and somehow has the second highest OPS on the team, despite his OBP,
so basically all his numbers are just noise at this point.
Well, of course. He had like 3 bad games and went from awesome to crappy.
But I still worry about him at the top of the order because he’s really never been a good leadoff hitter.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Always
Probably my least favorite baseball player. Him or Lackey.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
Straw Man Sunday!
For all his attention to sabermetric strategies, Brian Bannister did not employ them well
Bannister’s sabermetric analysis is still correct. Just because he can’t throw a strikeout doesn’t mean he was wrong. The FIP PROVED that he just got lucky last year. ZOMG! YOU DON"T UNDERSTAND!!! JOE MORGANZZ!!!
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Sorry -- should have said "could not employ them well"
That’s what I meant: He might know what to do, but he can’t do it.
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
We're at .500!?!?!?!?!?!?
YEAH!!!! Uh oh….I’m getting excited again. Not good.
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
No hope.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
yes hope!
Keep hope alive! Keep hope alive!
Zooey Deschanel!
Cluck 'em all and let the Chick sort 'em out - DMOAS
by ChickenStanley on Jul 18, 2010 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey there!
I’m a Red sox fan and as you know we play you next.
I just wanted to say hi and that I’ll be here all series.
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 18, 2010 5:21 PM PDT reply actions
Oh, thank you!
As the self-ascribed ambassador of AN, let me be the first to say “Suck it”
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You dumbasses could not even help us out by winning ONE game against the Rangers
And when I say dumbasses I mean it in the most sincere meaning of the word
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Um...
Thanks for welcoming me
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 18, 2010 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions
my pleasure :)
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I love your tagline
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 18, 2010 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks
We can be friends after your team leaves the bay but for now you are persona non grata, which in french means kiss my big fat green and gold ass.
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh wow
Things are different here, eh?
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 18, 2010 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Napoleon complex
We got it in spades.
Here’s to a good series.
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
Oh, on AN we liberally use swear words to express ourselves like "Fuck the Red Sox"
Our blogfather is known to keep company with goats
We have one guy who carries a big knife
And sometimes, just for the hell of it, we post about sock puppets, zombies or just post a pixel.
Don’t expect a warm welcome. We did name it Athletics Nation, which means you are about as welcome as a Yankee fan at Fenway.
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions
But if you can man up to the abuse, feel free to try the bacon wrapped scallops
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah....
I actully get along well at the Yankees blog.
So I think I’ll be fine here
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 18, 2010 5:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Stay for the series
Here’s to the same fate the Rangers just foisted upon you.
ps. If you can wiggle your ass like Youk then there are members here that you may endear yourself to.
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
besides me, of course
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions
not from what I saw at Chez Nico
Zooey Deschanel!
Cluck 'em all and let the Chick sort 'em out - DMOAS
by ChickenStanley on Jul 18, 2010 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh yeah, and we're all flamingly gay.
I’m sure we’ll convert you before your boys leave town
(wink wink, nudge nudge, slips roofie in BBS’s beer)
"Burt Reynolds witnessed the conception of his own dad, and frankly, that's what's wrong with him."- TPDMTD!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 18, 2010 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m a woman
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 18, 2010 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Good.
We’re all flaming lesbians.
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
um...
You haven’t seen my “list”, have you?
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 18, 2010 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions
woman?
{Fixes hair} I like the sox too
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 6:38 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Haha
My list is the list of baseball players I like.
It has made some famous apperences around SBN
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 18, 2010 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions
have you seen LB's meat?
Kinda famous around these parts
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 6:48 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
No
I just signed up here yesterday
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 18, 2010 6:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Hi.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 18, 2010 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice to meat you.
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
Athletics Nation: Our blogfather is known to keep company with goats
Athletics Nation: We have one guy who carries a big knife
and my favorite
Athletics Nation: Don’t expect a warm welcome.
Pam liked my old sig better.
How could anyone forget you mikev?
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 19, 2010 1:04 AM PDT up reply actions
ok i was in jail due to chez nico
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 6:12 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
You mean except Saturday?
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
yeah, what he said
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Jul 18, 2010 6:35 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Hah.
Welcome.
Just don’t be obnoxious, you’ll be fine.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
well
I’m not obnoxious, so things will be great
That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Jul 18, 2010 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Yay!
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Jul 18, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
We'll be the judge of that ;D
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
While I don't care if fans of other teams are here
I’m curious as to why you’d hang out here (well, we ARE awesome) instead of a Red Sox forum.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 18, 2010 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions
It Was Supposed to Be So Easy
Just take back the AL West
Worry later about the rest
Win the title in 2011, and in 2012 win the next
So first to jump out to a nice first half
Rely on a good staff
To make up for an offense that’s good for 10 DL trips, a zombie Chavez and a laugh
But first place didn’t stick
Chavy K’ing like a lunatic
Cust in the minors for a few ticks
Patterson making fans feel sick
Made it to the All-Star Break in a state
The Rangers’ lead around 8
And the A’s still in second place
To the Angels we hate
But today the A’s achieved absolutely now
Sweeping the teams they should, a good sign no doubt
If they wanted to pass .500 now
They should pour it on the Sawks like they know how
"I've made a huge little mistake." - G.O.B.
NEW POST UP
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
Oh sure, kick us out of this thread,
just like you kicked us out of your house!
by LoneStranger on Jul 18, 2010 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions
oakclubhouse
#Athletics Anderson to rehab for Sacramento RT @BrettAnderson49 heading to colorado springs tomm
6 minutes ago via web
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 18, 2010 10:14 PM PDT reply actions
I love the title of this thread... "(To lose by less)"
Normally, that’d be us.
Bob Geren... Jackie Moore without the personality.
CT gets his wish
Rosales will be starting everyday with Sweeney out, I hope, and not Gross.
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
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