Brandon McCarthy, Destroyer of Worlds, Has First Off-Night
by danmerqury on Apr 26, 2011 9:58 PM PDT
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Print(Don't forget, today's A's/Angels game is at the East Coast timeslot; 4PM!)
Well, it finally happened. Apparently, Brandon McCarthy isn't immortal after all, because he allowed 7 runs in 5.1 innings, on the strength of 14 hits. Consider it payback for that one run turn through the rotation last week.
Annoyingly, top prospect Tyler Chatwood didn't pitch much better, allowing 3 runs in the same amount of time, but he picked up his second career win anyway. Chatwood continued his odd season, walking more than he struck out yet again to get to 15 walks on the year, compared to 8 strikeouts. He can't possibly continue pitching like that with the expectation of good results, but that's a conversation for the Angels, not us. In his defense, he did induce 11 groundouts to 1 airout, which was his calling card in the minors.
As far as Brandon, his control seemed off all night. Unfortunately, instead of walking the Angels, McCarthy's lack of control resulted in hittable pitches that Los Angeles teed off on again and again.
On the hitting side of things, Conor Jackson did most of the damage, as he stroked a high inside fastball over the left field fence to drive in David DeJesus. Conor hasn't gotten very much playtime this year, but it looks like he may be finally back to full strength after his multi-year battle with a fungal infection in his lungs. He hasn't hit for very much power yet, but the the batting average and the on-base percentage are high, and he should be someone to keep an eye on.
But on the bright side? Hey, at least we're not paying Vernon Wells 23 million dollars to OPS .481.
Current Series
Angels lead the series 2-0
| Mon 04/25 | WP: Jered Weaver (6 - 0) LP: Gio Gonzalez (2 - 2) |
0 - 5 loss |
| Tue 04/26 | 3 - 8 loss | |
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Oakland Athletics Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011, 4:05 PM PDT Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80. |
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Barton & DDJ?
"If we start getting into that sh*t, we might as well get out the plastic sheeting and have an orgy." --Gaijin Suketto
by emperor nobody on Apr 26, 2011 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Starts with Coco, unfortunately.
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
I actually like the arrangement now.
With him and DeJesus in a platoon. When an OF gets injured, though, he should be the first in line for playing time.
I think Ken made a salient point
that McCarthy’s good control, usually a strength, was a liability tonight against an Angels team that hacks. Fewer strikes would have served him well, which is not usually the case. But he gave good pitches to hit to Angels hitters who were hacking at everything in that same AB.
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
I disagree entirely...
Early in the game he was getting behind, then had to groove his mediocre fastball.
by Brett Narloch on Apr 26, 2011 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't see it that way. I saw a lot of grooved pitches
either in ordinary counts or ahead in the count. Partly, he just didn’t have great location. But he wasn’t forced to groove pitches so much as he … just grooved them.
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
Disagree too
I remember a number of 0-2 counts that progressed to 3-2 or to hits. (or ‘hits’)
didn’t see the put-away action.
by MobiusKlein on Apr 26, 2011 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
There was that too.
Basically a combination of bad balls and bad strikes. That’s how you give up 14 hits!
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
Totally Agree
He Seemed to lack a put away pitch. The Angels hitters would just spoil off pitches they could not hit and waited for the ones they could.
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
How much more of Kouzmanoff do we have to take...
When was the last game he played where he didn’t either have an error or a really stupid play that wasn’t called an error?
And of course he’s a miserable hitter. If Jackson can make the throw, I’d say have him get ALL of Kouzmanoff’s ABs and seriously consider DFAing his AAA ass.
Naturally, Kouz had Chatwood's only K (against four walks),
on a pitch that almost bounced.
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
There's no way that Cardenas could be worse.
by Brett Narloch on Apr 26, 2011 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Yet they won't even play him at 3B...AT AAA.
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
Tonight, LF. The past few days, DH
WTF?
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
I don't think it's because that they're avoiding his defense,
more like just trying to get everyone in. Not that it’s any better.
"Caring about stuff binds us to the other people that care about stuff, and that creates the communities that makes life worth living."
They should be working in people around him,
not the other way around. He’s an actual prospect with a — get this — potentially good bat. It’s not like the A’s have too many of those around.
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
Well clearly they wanted to work in uber-prospect Josh Horton at SS, and this necessitated
moving Steven Tolleson to 3B. Tolleson was batting 3rd and Cardenas was in the 6 spot, so Tolleson is clearly the more important of the two and requires more ABs at a position where both players have been about equal according to Total Zone. You see, 3B may be a position of need for the A’s so they want to give Tolleson these opportunities. Also Tolleson is older than Cardenas and has been playing baseball for longer.
Also Tolleson is a non prospect.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
Cardenas is twice the prospect Tolleson is.
That’s my point. Tolleson is filler.
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
Steven "Foam Peanut" Tolleson
son of Wayne “Bubble Wrap” Tolleson
"OK and now everybody who said 'game over' at some point
GO KNEEL IN THE CORNER!" - elcroata
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 27, 2011 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions
If I'm Beane
the message goes to Sacto – Cardenas at 3B every day for 2 weeks. If he keeps hitting and handles defense adequately, bring the guy up. It has to be the case that getting regular reps at a position, rather than moving to a different position every night, will improve a guy’s defense. At the very least, it would expose holes.
Cardenas with holes > Kouzmanoff with yips
"OK and now everybody who said 'game over' at some point
GO KNEEL IN THE CORNER!" - elcroata
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 27, 2011 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions
You mean
They are who we thought they were?
Hey dad, I got this guy's autograph, Rollie
Fingers. Who's he?
Nope, The hit is the hit
Just because the outcome stunk, doesn’t mean the play did
Life insurance s..cks. I'm now worth more dead than alive.
Enough already
I don’t know if it’s a small sample or not, but it is more than enough. He is killing us. I went to bed thinking DFA. Is that too harsh? But he does not perform at a major league level. There are some other issues on the club that seem to be leadership related but that is kind of subjective.
And another thing. Suzuki needs to just block the ball sometimes instead of going for the highlight reel.
What's the option in the near term? Cardenas isn't even playing 3B at Sacramento.
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 7:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Can Ellis play third?
Then we can bring up Weeks
Go A's!!!
Not since Crosby killed his shoulder
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
You sure it was Crosby?
I thought it was a sniper with a high-powered rifle and scope, being that there was a red dot on it.
by LoneStranger on Apr 27, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions
I think Dan Haren will come down to earth
and have an ERA well over 3 by the time the season ends.
Having said that, with the way Ellis, Barton, De Jesus and co are not hitting, I think Haren will coast thru this lineup.
Tyson Ross IMO is not ready to start and would have been better served stretching out and starting every 5th day down in AAA. I like him and think he will do well up here eventually but tomorrow looks like a total mismatch. Even if Haren is off, It’s hard to imagine Ellis and co doing anything but popping up and striking out. They look horrible at the plate. Daric Barton looks lost at the plate for the most part. He got robbed against Weaver of hits but overall he looks awful.
Can Haren come back down to earth tomorrow, please?
I’ll be your best friend!
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Apr 26, 2011 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions
And Barton's D has sucked too...
But Haren’s splitter will K Kouzmanoff 3 times and induce about 3 or 4 groundball double plays – if the A’s get enough base runners.
Yes, Haren will come down to Earth after awhile, but it won’t be against Oakland.
by Brett Narloch on Apr 26, 2011 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions
sadly yes
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Apr 26, 2011 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions
You're just all positive today.
"Caring about stuff binds us to the other people that care about stuff, and that creates the communities that makes life worth living."
Just calling it how it is
and it aint pretty.
LaRoche should start at 2B tomorrow.
(And at 3B. At which point he may as well cover SS too.)
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
Yea, have really had it with the KOUZ...
They need to move forward. He is an anchor not an engine. When the offense is humming along, he doesn’t seem so bad. But when the team is dragging offensively he seems like the biggest albatross ever. Why La Roche isnt starting at least every other day to see what he brings to the table defensively at 3rd is beyond me. More fine coaching by Bobbo the Clown.
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
The only reason Haren will come down to earth is to stop at In N Out for a neopolitan shake and a burger before he heads back into space on his spaceship of awesome.
If by ERA of 3, you mean 1.3.
I was gonna make a ‘Haren will come down to earth to save our souls’, then I remembered Conor Jackson is currently my deity of choice.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
Huh.
I’m beginning to think that might be what you here to do.
If anybody asks, I'm not here.
I'm never here.
by harensheir15 on Apr 27, 2011 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Dan Haren's Earth is higher than other pitchers
The guy is just plain good and will breeze through our sorry lineup.
by Billy Frijoles on Apr 27, 2011 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
PS- Kuiper and Fosse stink.
I’m going to start a list of every player they call “really good.” I’m guessing there are only about 5 players in the league they don’t call “really good”.
by Brett Narloch on Apr 26, 2011 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
And all five are on the A's....
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
what exactly do you want them to say?
They are not broadcasting to us, we know baseball much better than the people to whom they are speaking.
Put a bird on it
One word
Krukow
So, quitcherbitchin! :-)
Hey dad, I got this guy's autograph, Rollie
Fingers. Who's he?
Yeah, I hear ya
“What they really need here is a strike”
DOH!
Hey dad, I got this guy's autograph, Rollie
Fingers. Who's he?
yeah, a BROADCASTERS' strike!
"OK and now everybody who said 'game over' at some point
GO KNEEL IN THE CORNER!" - elcroata
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 27, 2011 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions
I actually like him more than our TV guys.
Bring back Hammer.
by OaktownPower on Apr 27, 2011 12:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Chaka Khan!
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 5:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Just how much I dont like our TV guys.
Bring back Hammer.
by OaktownPower on Apr 27, 2011 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Tomorrow we beat Haren!
Nobody thinks it’s possible, so that’s why it WILL happen!
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
by A'sfansince1970 on Apr 26, 2011 10:10 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I'm on board.
It’ll be flukey, though.
"OK and now everybody who said 'game over' at some point
GO KNEEL IN THE CORNER!" - elcroata
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 27, 2011 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, they got shutout by Coke
and then beat up on Verlander – so it could happen again with Haren.
I’m thinking it will be a big day for Landon Powell!
by longtimeasfan on Apr 27, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Powell's playing today?
Hurray for offense!
"OK and now everybody who said 'game over' at some point
GO KNEEL IN THE CORNER!" - elcroata
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 27, 2011 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
I think so
Suzuki was scheduled to be out today because his wife is having a baby.
by longtimeasfan on Apr 27, 2011 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Well then, I guess he needs to knock up his wife more often,
or marry more wives.
"OK and now everybody who said 'game over' at some point
GO KNEEL IN THE CORNER!" - elcroata
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 27, 2011 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
7.59???
-Cindi
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 Pie"
"Today’s Geometry…and Pie!"
There is no "i" in Teamocil. At least not where you'd think.
by GreenNGoldSooner on Apr 27, 2011 5:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Today's topic...
building a pentangular house with a 65 degree slanted roof, with a chimney in the center over a brick stove which not only heats the house, but also BAKES PIE!
"OK and now everybody who said 'game over' at some point
GO KNEEL IN THE CORNER!" - elcroata
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 27, 2011 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions
I have it on but there talking hockey
by buckfan6 on Apr 26, 2011 10:16 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Can you blame them?
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
OK, What percentage do you give the A's winning tomorrow
I will start and be generous with a 25 percent chance of winning.
Look, we all want this team to win but there are many anchors holding them back.
Agreed
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 5:30 AM PDT up reply actions
/Jonah Keri
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Apr 27, 2011 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions
LOL Kouz has 3 HR's, a 2B and a BB off Haren
De Jesus 1 for 16.
That was a crappy game
On the bright side, there were guys with “McCarthyism” shirts on. That was cool.
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
They said "B Mac Attack" on the front
And “return of McCarthyism” on the back. 4 people wearing them, 2 guys and 2 girls.
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Apr 26, 2011 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I love Conor Jackson. I’ve loved him since he played for the DBacks. I’m glad he’s doing well and converting some of the AN non-believers!
That game was gross. I hate going to games and being the only A’s fan within high-fiving distance and then losing on top of it. Gross. There were way too many stupid mistakes, and when you can’t hit the ball well they end up turning into gigantic mistakes.
where were you sitting?
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Apr 26, 2011 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions
my fam has season seats
(well to 1/4 of the home games anyway)…
field level just past the visitor’s dugout row T
When the A's have gotten a big win, they've talked about gaining momentum
It’s kind of like how Lindsay Lohan says rehab is going to bring about sobriety.
There is an evening coming in/Across the fields, one never seen before,/That lights no lamps. -- Philip Larkin, from "Going"
Bad Team is Bad....
We have NO balance on offense. Its like we are randomly going out there and doing whatever. No identity as an offense. Pitchers cant keep going out there know if they give up 2 we lose. Offense is terrible and Beane needs to be held accountable.
"Carter's 25-game hitting streak isn't any normal streak. He's 46 for 97 (.474 average) during the run, adding 16 walks and compiling 81 total bases in the process. I'm out of superlatives for what he's doing." - Kevin Goldstein
Nah, let's blame Bobo
After all, while Scoscia (OK, I spelled it wrong maybe) is playing for the win, we have McCarthy pitching long after he should have been gone. Do you get the sense we’re playing for the win?
Hey dad, I got this guy's autograph, Rollie
Fingers. Who's he?
so the bullpen has a slight chance tomorrow?
Gio didn’t pitch long last night.
Brandon had to pitch at least 5.
by MobiusKlein on Apr 26, 2011 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions
I hate it when you throw out facts
BUT: had we not made errors or other stupid stuff, we’d be +3 or so in the win column. I call that poor coaching (though they had nothing to do with it).
Hey dad, I got this guy's autograph, Rollie
Fingers. Who's he?
McCarthy wasn't that bad I thought
he pitched a little worse than he has, but, kinda the same but unlucky. The first score inning was ridiculous. should have gotten out of that inning without a run.
I am not really broken up about tonight, other than the Angels won.
On a side note, I wanted Jackson cut early. He seems to be better than I expected. I think he will pay for himself.
Put a bird on it
does devine beat bailey back to the major leagues
2 scoreless innings in sacramento tonight. Blevins should be hearing footsteps.
Devine's been a lot better his last couple outings
And this gives me a segue into sharing a couple clips I took tonight:
Yadel Marti: http://youtu.be/yWqWUHq0yns
Joey Devine: http://youtu.be/tk9l74vixwU
Yesterday was Guillermo Moscoso: http://youtu.be/OOMRbWSIBWY
And a couple weeks ago, Josh Outman: http://youtu.be/u8NSqhkQWag
All of these can be viewed in HD if you select it.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
by Flashfire on Apr 26, 2011 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
By the way
Compare Marti to this clip from a few years ago and you can see he’s eliminated the pause in his windup: http://youtu.be/rtrAhPN_vVg
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I do see.
It comes in handy here on AN to have a videologist. Thanks for all of the useful images. I really enjoy your work.
Agreed. These could be the guts of a FanPost
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 5:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Well I was at the game tonight...
Should have known picking up McCarthy in both my fantasy leagues as well as going to the game would result in a disastrous night. Sorry guys.
Some classy slegnA fans were heckling Sweeney while he played right field, and when he would catch standard balls they would scream profanities at him. I yelled how can you be so mean to someone with such a great smile! while Angels fans yelled for them to quit it because their children were around. Overall, Angel stadium is nice and I just wish I had better luck with sports.
WHAT!??!?!?!?!?!?!
losing first two in a series
how many series in a row is this that they lose the first two? four? Out of 7 series so far they have lost the first two in 5 of them. (SEA x 2, DET, LAA, TOR).
BAD!
I’ve been overwhelmed and I’ve been underwhelmed. Can I ever just be whelmed?
This team is in desperate need of a shake up....
It’s the same “going through the motions” mess every series. They come out sluggish and flat the first two games, then are scrapping to salvage the finale (or final two).
Toss the order out and start over, make a shocking trade, demote someone to send a message, fire the manager, do something!
Running out the same ole same hasn’t worked for nearly a month now, it’s time to try something different.
This is a team that needs just about everything to go right to possibly contend. Everyone needs to perform at or above expectations for them to have a shot. Currently they are all pretty much (starting pitchers the obvious exception) performing well below expectations.
McCarthy had an off night, those are going to happen, but you’re team needs to be in a position where they occassional gas-can night doesn’t do a mountain of damage because you’re winning all the games you “should”.
PS-What the hell was the point in leaving him out there to take such a drubbing?
Nearly a month? Is that supposed to be a long time?
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 7:06 AM PDT up reply actions
OK but it's not enough to panic
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 8:07 AM PDT up reply actions
But panicking helps!
When fans do it, anyway.
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
Because Ross is going today and he's not totally stretched yet
It was the right move to keep him in and also NOT bring in Fuentes, Balfour, or Wuertz.
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Apr 27, 2011 7:09 AM PDT up reply actions
If they'd'a sent Blevins down like they should have,
then Cramer could have pitched the garbage innings.
"OK and now everybody who said 'game over' at some point
GO KNEEL IN THE CORNER!" - elcroata
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 27, 2011 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Cramer hasn't pitched any of the other garbage innings, why would he have started last night?
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
Cramer
Every inning he pitches seems to be garbage. He sucks.
by bl on Apr 27, 2011 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
not true at all.
He had a couple bad innings in s/t, but did fine overall.
He had an ERA of 2.45 when he was sent down.
"OK and now everybody who said 'game over' at some point
GO KNEEL IN THE CORNER!" - elcroata
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 27, 2011 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd rather Wuertz or Breslow pitch a garbage inning than Cramer pitch a meaningful inning
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Oops I meant McCarthy, Wuertz or Breslow pitch a garbage inning than Cramer
pitch a meaningful inning
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Plus, we're no worse off than we were on Saturday
Regardless of the outcome today, our two best guys are going starting tomorrow against the Rangers at home. I like our odds.
Finally, neither of these games were really winnable after the 4th inning. Weaver had filthy stuff, and the slegnA were clearly on McCarthy.
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Apr 27, 2011 7:13 AM PDT up reply actions
There's got to come a point.....
Where dropping a couple to fall below .500 and then winning a couple to get back to .500 is no longer going to be enough.
The one positive: I like the pitching matchups in every game vs. Texas.
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 one positive: I like the pitching matchups in every game vs. Texas.
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
You do realize that it still counts as one positive, right?
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Does anyone think this team is capable of going on a winning streak?
I am beginning to have my doubts. I know they have only played 24 games, but the lack of offense is a huge problem.
While they maintain the reputation of being a great warm weather team.....
Has that actually been the case in recent years? I think the A’s that tear it up after the break are long since gone. Did they have a single win streak of more than 4 games last year? They were the very definition of consistent mediocrity, and with this lose 2, win 1 trend they’re establishing so far this year, it seems to be more of the same.
Right now it's more like win 11, lose 13.
They’re not as bad as you think. They’re a .500 team right now. The batters are better this year than last year, if you look at raw talent. I think this team will do better in the summer than last year’s team, once the weather warms up and the balls fly further. Either way, if you want to jump off the ship, then you can. I’m going to wait and see what happens.
BTW, yes, once (on July 18th) did they win their 5th in a row.
by LoneStranger on Apr 27, 2011 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Still on board here
Just concerned and frustrated.
I blame the road greys for McCarthy's pitching.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Apr 27, 2011 7:37 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
But they're pretty
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions
I blame his stuff.
It’s not good. You want to talk about a guy who will come back to earth, look at him, not Haren. McCarthy is not good and I doubt he can sustain a sub 4.50 in the AL, even in a great pitcher’s park.
The Angels stole Haren base on a bad half season. This guy is a legit top 20 pitcher in baseball and once started an All-Star game while representing the green and gold. Don’t get me wrong, I love the return we got for him, too bad we didn’t hold onto Cargon. (Although if you look at his home/road splits there is a good chance he would be awful playing his home games in Oakland.)
Between the two Haren deals, the D-backs have a big say in the AL West.
by bl on Apr 27, 2011 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions
his xFIP is around 3.60
he has been striking people out and not walking people. I think he can keep it up.
Put a bird on it
Wouldn't you know it
A’s have break-out offensive game on a night that they get a rare poor pitching performance.
That's a breakout offensive game?
Getting no-hit from the 3rd to the 9th?
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
break out into hives
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
Oh well then: check.
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
Hi Moonie!
It’s sad that 3 runs is a breakout offensive game, huh?
"OK and now everybody who said 'game over' at some point
GO KNEEL IN THE CORNER!" - elcroata
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 27, 2011 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions
WOOT.
can I have one?
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
what sort of tickets did you get?
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Apr 27, 2011 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Section 130R, row 22.
Not sure what the R means, unless it’s “rear” meaning the second part of the section going up. They’re $26 tickets.
by LoneStranger on Apr 27, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
tickets are tickets!
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Apr 27, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions
You're a couple rows above the walkway between those sections, yes
And I get that free is free, but that’s right by the BBQ Terrace.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
As cup says, tickets is tickets.
Anyone want to buy four Value deck tickets for $40?
by LoneStranger on Apr 27, 2011 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Why is the offense so bad?
My gut tells me they have been unlucky because they seem to have hit a lot of balls at guys and gotten into strange double plays and also have a crazy low batting average with RISP.
Looking at fangraphs the obvious deficiency on the team is a lack of power. Everything else seems to be middle of the road. The lack of power hurts and coupled with a lack of clutch hitting it can lead to frustration. While we hit ok, we aren’t putting up crooked numbers or getting key hits when the game is on the line.
Another interesting note is that the A’s are 3rd in baseball with a 21% line drive rate. Yet, of all the top teams in LD% we have the lowest BABIP at .282. Part of that is a slightly lower GB%, but it does lend some support to the idea that some well hit balls have been hit right at defenders.
What gives me confidence is that we aren’t striking out a terrible amount (Willingham aside). Last night our K/BB was 1/5, which should be a good thing… we just can’t hit those baserunners in right now.
I think a lot of the early season struggles are tied to luck. We have lost some close games where we had plenty of opportunities and our bullpen blew a couple games early because Geren didn’t have them ready to start the season. Now our pitching is starting to come back to Earth and the offense isn’t yet picking up the slack. It could be a lack of intensity or focus as pointed out above. But we’ve also faced some good pitching and played a lot of road games.
It’s not time to panic yet, but it would be nice to see a little more urgency from the offense. Or at least a gameplan… we used to work the count but now opposing starters seem to have no problems with pitch counts a lot of the time. It would be nice to see everyone on the same page (Kouz, I’m looking at you).
I wasn't aware that the A's were 3rd in LD%
That’s a good thing. IIRC, LD% stabilizes over 150 ABs, so we still have a few weeks before we know if that’s for real or not (on a per player basis). If that percentage holds, I would feel better about expecting our offensive results to improve sooner rather than later.
by UrgentMirth on Apr 27, 2011 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
For what it's worth THT's xBABIP calculator has us at .294.
In other words, given our distribution of line drives, groundballs, flyballs, and strikeouts, we should have a BABIP around .294. The difference between .282 and .294 is around eight hits so far.
So we're a bit unlucky but mostly we have no HR power
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Sounds about right
Though a bit unlucky could be another 2 wins right now with all the close games. If we were 13-11, would anyone be complaining?
Oh, darn
@injuryexpert
Will Carroll
Darren O’Day heading to DL with torn labrum in his left hip. There’s some good comps – Brett Myers, David Aardsma – but long recovery.
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
They're really getting hit by injuries
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 27, 2011 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Indeed
And Kinsler and Cruz haven’t made their annual trips, yet.
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Apr 27, 2011 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions
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