Dan Haren is starting to turn things around. If his revival isn't just a brief illusion, I wouldn't mind seeing him in green and gold again considering how little he may be on the market for. Personally, I feel that a short-term contract for a veteran starter is all about a matter of how much is being invested in a player who is, in Haren's case, prone to injury and inconsistency. If he could be signed for a Bartolo Colon-type contract instead of a Ben Sheets deal, I'd love to have him back.
Phil Coke will be heading down to Toledo. For the moment, the lone left-handed reliever in Detroit is Drew Smyly, who is more of a long man. Expect to go a whole series without seeing Nate Freiman. It looks like the Orioles will also be throwing exclusively right-handed starters this weekend, so it may be another long stretch of northpaws.
#Athletics C Stephen Vogt "prepared to play every day until something happens" in wake of C Derek Norris fractured toe. No move til Friday.
— John Hickey (@JHickey3) August 21, 2013
It's a convenient time for the A's to see lots of right-handed pitching.
Dan Straily is among a list of pitchers likely to lose velocity that was crafted by Fangraphs' Bill Petti.
Carson Cistulli's list of fringe prospects is devoid of any A's farmhands, but he does mention former Stanford player and Pleasanton native Stephen Piscotty as well as East Bay native and former California Golden Bear Marcus Semien.
Greg Simons analyzes the playoff chances of teams that are currently on the outside looking in. I personally agree with what he says, although I'm a bit more skeptical on the Indians.
Did Brian Fuentes put on a beard last night and take the mound in the 8th? Wouldn't shock me considering the way that inning went.
A's have a visitor in the clubhouse: Brian Fuentes. Maybe he can catch?
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) August 21, 2013
Seth Smith may have some reasons for his hitting struggles.
Also: Seth Smith missed yesterday and will miss today with an eye problem. #Athletics
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) August 21, 2013
#Athletics are very thin on bench again - down two with Smith and Norris out.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) August 21, 2013
That leaves Chris Young and Nate Freiman as the lone pinch-hit options. Seattle has two left-handed relievers: Charlie Furbush and Oliver Perez.
The AL Rookie of the Year race is still wide open. Unfortunately, there is no mention of May's Rookie of the Month, Nate Freiman. Did you know he's 6'8?
The Astros have called Max Stassi up directly from double-A Corpus Christi after placing Carlos Corporan on the concussion DL. If you recall, back in February the A's traded Stassi as well as Chris Carter and Brad Peacock for Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez. Last night, Stassi picked up his first hit and his first TOOTBLAN. Welcome to the big leagues!
On this day a year ago, Brett Anderson returned to the bigs and the A's turned a triple play in a 4-1 victory over the Twins.
Today's starting lineup is out, with Coco Crisp back in the leadoff role. Expect to see these names a lot over the next week, as the A's are currently slated to face at least eight right-handed starters in a row, beginning with today's game against Hisashi Iwakuma.