NOTE: If you've had trouble accessing AN the past 24 hours, you are not alone! Of course if you're still having trouble accessing AN, you're not seeing this note. -Nico
According to a twitpic from the great Susan Slusser, here is the lineup for today's full squad game today vs. the Brewers:
While the lineup itself isn't bad, check out that IF defense:
Carter 1B
Weeks 2B
Donaldson 3B
Sogard SS
Eeesh. Mark Ellis and Kouz sounds pretty good right now.
This brings me to a question posed on the latest episode of (warning: shameless plug!) @TarpTalk. What ST storyline are you following most closely?
For me, despite the setbacks for Barton, the real battle in ST is the 1B/OF/DH shootout. If I'm Chris Carter, I am scared out of my mind (for good reason) that this is my last and best chance to make the 25-man roster. With Manny Ramirez coming back around May 30th, that gives Carter not only an ST battle to win out, but also about 50 games to prove he can hit MLB pitching. After that, though, it's entirely possible the A's will move on to a new plan, whether it's the next veteran DH flavor-of-the-season, Seth Smith, or someone else entirely.
If I'm Kila Ka'aihue, I'm trying to be the dark horse guy. While the other three guys are either injured or ineffectual, I also have one last chance to prove to an MLB team I can stick. If I'm Daric Barton, I know I can play superior defense, but was that 5 WAR season a fluke?
Finally, if I'm Brandon Allen, I might hit a Grand Slam and two-run double in the same game. Check.
Not all of these guys will make the OD roster. I'm hoping for stiff competition, but thinking the winner could also end up stumbling across the finish line, just barely eking out the others.
What storyline are you watching for?
Return at 12PM PST for game thread action and Vince "Vince" Marotta's call on MLB.com. If you haven't yet gotten Gameday Audio, what are you waiting for?
