GameThread #132: A's vs. Angels

What's going on, AN?

Even though the A's are well out of it, I still manage to get up for a series against the hated rally monkeys of Anaheim. There's a lot of history between these two squads and no love lost between the fan bases. The Angels fan base is primarily made up of polite applause connoisseurs and ours is loud flag waving drum beating maniacs. Plus the gross red uniforms. So gross.

The A's have a chance to bury the Angels if they can pull off a sweep. Right now the Angels are reeling (standings as of this morning):

Yep the Angels are looking more and more like they are one and done as AL West champs. Losers of three straight, eight of their last 10, and hopefully under .500 come Thursday.

Many of the A's players have echoed similar sentiments that there's still a lot to play for. And that's true. Very few of these guys are guaranteed a spot in the lineup, bullpen or rotation next year. And beyond that, there's some satisfaction in extinguishing another team's postseason dreams. So let's do this.

Tonight Felix Doubront faces Hector Santiago in a battle of mediocre lefties. Doubront is definitely one of those guys with something to play for. He could earn a rotation spot next year and even if he's just a stopgap for the A's a solid late season performance could garner spring training invites from other teams. We'll see tonight if he's fully recovered from his bruised foot (courtesy of a shot off the bat of Robinson Cano).

The A's lineup versus LHP looks a lot better with Danny Valencia and Jake Smolinski in the mix, and hopefully Santiago won't enjoy his usual breeze through the A's lineup.

Also tonight hopefully we'll have some fun with September call-ups, promotions, and news from the minor league ranks.

Anyway...all I'm asking is just give us a modicum of joy this season and beat the living daylights out of the Angels. OK?

Tim Eckert-Fong will be your host for the rest of the evening and will have your threads and recap.

LET'S GO OAKLAND!