The A's and Smokin' Joe Blanton with an 0-4 record and a 5.08 ERA take on the Giants and Toy Story Rueter with a 2-2 record and a 4.05 ERA.
Rueter's a Jamie Moyer lefty who tosses the ball about 48 mph and hopes to mix up hitters just by changing speeds and staying away, away, away. As long as the A's don't try to pull everything, they should be OK.
The lineup facing the slowballer:
Kotsay
Byrnes
Kendall
Chavez
Kielty
Hatteberg
Ginter
Scutaro
Blanton
The Giants throw this group out against the A's:
Ellison
Vizquel
Snow
Alou
Durham
Feliz
Alfonzo
Matheny
Rueter
Not quite the same line up without Barroid. But still, Blanton has struggled the last few times out, so let's hope he figures out how to get back on track.
Wow, I really don't like the Giants.
Oh and I just got back from Connecticut an hour or so ago. My simple advice...avoid United Airlines at all cost. Not only was I delayed both ways, but I was Bob Uecker and stuck in the back row of both planes.
LET'S GO OAK-LAND!!!
