This is so much better than, say, A's-Angels Game 161 circa 2004. Dontcha think? Anyway, tonight not only do the regulars far outweigh the scrubs in the starting lineup, but all eyes are on Danny Haren to see if his final tuneup for the ALDS looks a bit more like his start in Minnesota and a bit less like...the rest of his recent efforts. It would be good for Danny's confidence, and great for your confidence, if Haren ended the regular season on a positive note.
Unlike...Detroit's Zach Miner, who didn't make it through the 1st inning in Kansas City's 7-run surprising uprising (it's currently 7-1 KC in the 3rd). With Minnesota losing to the White-AAASox, and the Tigers spotting KC a touchdown, it's still anybody's guess whom the A's will play on Tuesday.
Tonight the A's face lefty Joe Saunders, who tamed the A's over 7 solid innings (2 ER) in his only previous start against Oakland. Here's hoping the A's can score an actual run, something they last did on Wednesday. Today's "fun fact": Here's the 411 on the starting pitchers' ERAs...They're both 4.11.
The starting lineups show that you hit one inside-the-park HR and suddenly you're a clean-up hitter. ???
Kendall
Kotsay
Bradley
Thomas
Payton
Chavez
Swisher
Scutaro
Jimenez (2B)
Cabrera
Salmon
Anderson
Figgins
Rivera
Kennedy
Kendrick
Quinlan
Napoli