It must be said; I agree with Tony from the recap. Last night’s game was so frustrating, that I had a really hard time cheering for the win. A win should be fun, and elicit feelings of joy and celebration, not simply of sheer relief for scoring the all-elusive one run. Of course, my celebration may also have been tainted by seeing Milton limp off, especially one game out from playing the Yankees.
It’s been said that good pitching will beat good hitting, and while I still agree with this, it occurred to me yesterday that while I wouldn’t enjoy cheering for a pitching staff like the Rangers or Yankees day in and day out, there’s something to be said for having an offense that doesn’t make you feel that you’ve lost the game when your starting pitcher has the nerve to give up a single run.
Before Kennedy takes the mound, I thought I’d just post some pitching lines for the first nine games, if for no other reason, than to highlight just how truly awful the offense has been, and in hopes that it will shame them into performing today.
Haren - 6.0 IP, 4, H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Blanton - 6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
Harden - 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Gaudin - 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Kennedy - 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Haren - 7.0 IP, 6, H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K He’s currently 0-2, with a 0.69 ERA.
Blanton - 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K He’s currently 1-0, with a 3.97 ERA.
Harden - 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K He’s currently 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA.
Gaudin - 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K He’s currently 0-0 with a 2.53 ERA.
The most amazing thing about these lines is that they are all quality starts, and with the exception of a couple rough moments, it’s not like the bullpen has been any worse. Overall, the pitching has been simply fantastic.
But we all know that it can’t last this way through the whole season, and the A’s best bet is to win the games when their pitching staff only gives up one or two runs. Of course, the A’s offense is not built for blowouts, but simply put; there should be changes if they can’t score a couple of runs a night. And for our sanity, it would be preferable if those came before the two-out, two-strike pitch in the ninth.
Kennedy looks to back up his first quality start with another today against Mark Buehrle and the White Sox. An interesting ‘player to watch’ note says that Jason Kendall owns Buehrle, going 12 for 22 in his career against him. We can only hope so.
LET’S GO OAK-LAND!
Starting Lineups
Chicago White Sox:
Podsednik, LF
Anderson, CF
Thome, DH
Konerko, 1B
Dye, RF
Crede, 3B
Iguchi, 2B
Uribe, SS
Molina, C
Your 2007 Oakland Athletics:
Stewart, LF
Swisher, CF
Kielty, RF
Piazza, DH
Chavez, 3B
Ellis, 2B
Walker, 1B
Kendall, C
Scutaro, SS
A little different look to the lineup this afternoon. Obviously, Milton is out, described as 'sore', but I'm sure we'll get more updates. Kielty and Walker are both in today; maybe this will mean some runs. Also, and maybe this is because it is a day game following a night game, Crosby is not in.
