Thanks to everyone who participated in today's awesome discussion; love that thread.
In today's "Least Surprising News of All-Time", Jane Lee just Tweeted: Duchscherer to DL, Ramirez called up. There you go. I have no further comment.
From the A's Twitter account: "The #Athletics are 14-1 when scoring four or more runs in a game and 1-13 when scoring three runs or less." (Ahem, I didn't write it. Yes. Fewer.) That's a crazy statistic. So basically, the A's need to score four or more runs and they will win. Seem simple? Well, if you believe Gio Gonzalez can hold the Rays to fewer than 4 runs, you're more of an optimist than I.
Just how good are the Rays? Well, in route to notching their 21st win of the season (the A's have 15), the Rays lead the league in scoring and in fewest runs allowed. Their offense is scary and their pitching is awesome. Not a great combination for the A's, who are missing two of their best pitchers and don't have an offense.
Nevertheless, this is why we play the games. Anything can happen, and with this unlikely A's team, it probably will. Gonzalez, Sheets, and Braden need to do what the A's couldn't the last time they faced the Rays; hold them to fewer than eight runs per game. Gio will start tonight against David Price, who has never faced Oakland. Let's hope he hasn't scouted them either.
One quick note on the game thread; we have updated the CGV's to better define a couple of unwritten CGV's. We have listened to the community as a whole (after ongoing feedback); the purpose is to allow people generally to express themselves freely, while maintaining AN as a diverse community that is comfortable for everyone.
Here is your lineup:
LET'S GO OAK-LAND!
