I’ve no idea why it’s so bad though, ‘cos on paper is should be pretty decent. You can’t just say all of the hitters are in a slump because a) it’s been a month and b) that would suggest that we’re going to score a bajillion runs in the second half of the season, which totally isn’t going to happen.
We could, plus I imagine he's been facing a good percentage of
lefties. That said he just ‘looks’ better at the plate – he’s laying off pitches he should and driving the mistakes. Perhaps his batting sessions with McGwire are paying off.
Well the first 1/3 of the season hasn't passed yet.
Since we’re the A’s we cannot asess anything or make any reasonable adjustments until June 1st.
Haha, but seriously our pitching probably is about what could’ve been expected but the offense is seriously underperforming….
Will we compete? Hmmm…
Which Angels pitcher is it that dominates us because he takes
advantage of that bad philosophy and throws the first pitch for a strike to get ahead in the count. It’s Saunders, right?
Obviously I don’t mean he does it exclusively, but it’s one that sticks out in my mind. He grooves that first pitch without fear of the A’s swinging the bat.
Whereas when Barajas comes up with a man at third and one out today,
he drives the first pitch to CF for a sac fly. Baseball is about making adjustments. If the home plate umpire has a wide outside corner all day, you have two choices – the A’s make the wrong one.
…that the A’s bullpen had the best ERA in the majors, but I swear it sounded like “bestiary in the majors,” which sounds more interesting, especially because our bullpen would need to somehow have a negative ERA in order for us to start winning ballgames (unless, that is, someone teaches the offense to show up).
I think Cain is a better pitcher, at the moment, than either of those two
which is obviously not to say they won’t be better in the future. But who would I want for just this year? Definitely Cain.
Sanchez was in the top ten in the league for strickouts last year, too. though, yes, he is massively inconsistent. not a bad man to have as your number five, though, huh.
See, that’s the kind of bulls*** that really pisses me off. Do your job quit making every pitcher we face sound like Sandy Koufax. Every. Single. Time. When our offense is putrid, I have to hear our guys tell me how “brilliant” the opposing pitcher is. That is such BULLS***! Ok, I’m done.
Obviously nobody wants to hear constant criticism from the home announcers, but when it’s warranted issues should be brought up. It’s much more frustrating listening to them try to put a positive spin on the whole situation.
but here on the AN site, we are free to choose, and free to be less sportmanlike.
I think commentary provided here may not be work safe, let alone FCC allowed.
even if we suck, he still needs to do his job … throw strikes, etc. it’s less difficult, yes, but last i checked we were still a major league team and we can’t be relegated.
A woman’s life is derailed en route to a potentially lucrative summer job. When her car breaks down, and her dog is taken to the pound, the thin fabric of her financial situation comes apart, and she is led through a series of increasingly dire economic decisions.
is one of those players who would bitch and moan if he was moved down in the lineup, but he definitely doesn’t deserve to lead off.
I know we don’t have a lot of great choices but at least we should give someone else a chance, I mean that CANNOT possibly be performing worse than Cabrera.
Has run its course. Being 7 games under ,500 gets you nothing but the cellar. You have to be playing like you are on a mission and this team is playing like they want to lose.
Our offense is no better than it was last year....This team is unwatchable!!
And I am tired of the excuses from the A’s media team….they are talkng about how they ran into a pitcher who was really on his game today…..just shut up!!! They just keep giving him credit….If we had just one inkling of offense it would not have been that way!
technically i think it should be about 52/48, but fangraphs uses formulas instead of emperical data… but because of stuff like this:
Just a random example, put in “home, 9, 1, empty, -4”. In the 2000-2004 time period (5 years), the home team won 2 out of 541 (4%). If the batter makes an out, they win 2 out of 410 (5%). And this is using 5 years of data. I’m sure I can pick out dozens, if not hundreds, of situations, that are clearly illogical.
No one comes in from Holliday, Giambi, OCab, Crosby and they’re still stuck with an injured Chavez and Ellis? With more 1-year vets and rooks who are not ready but have to try? Payroll is not going up… Geren will be back. Good grief…
Major shakeup needed including firing that sack we have for a manager.
This team is an embarrassment to it’s fans but we are lifelong fans so we will have to endure this shit for a little longer.
As far as I am concerned the blame falls squarely on Billy Beane who when it comes to drafting hitters that are needed to fill the gaping holes is out GM’ed by most of baseball
C'MON OFFENSE!!!!!
Braden’s left it all out there, let’s go!!!
baseballgirl - May 10, 2009
Ultimatum to the offense
Score this inning or I will take a nap.
Erasr - May 10, 2009
Now THERE's a threat!
If they lose the next couple series will you go into a coma?
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
No
I will just give them the cold shoulder by always napping during their games.
Erasr - May 10, 2009
I could very easily do that, being as most of the games are on at 3am.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
That's the worse 3-1 swing ever.
baseballgirl - May 10, 2009
+ 1,000,000
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
Ellis has easily equalled that swing this season.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
I thought he was safe.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
So did I
Replay shows he wasn’t, though.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
Suzuki = only decent hitter on team
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Jack Cust is decent.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
ok ok
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Yeah, so, we have two decent hitters so far this season.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
Ok Ok!
But while Cust is decent or slightly above. Zooks has been great so far.
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Cust is putting up an .850 OPS, that's better than slightly above decent.
Higher than Kurt btw (.813).
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Jeez! ok!
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
BS call.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
My mistake, Cabrera is much shittier than I imagined.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Good call. Just barely beat him.
Flashfire - May 10, 2009
This offense is painful...
Poor Braden.
baseballgirl - May 10, 2009
Yup. He has wiggled out of crisis twice and survived a cannon to the chest,
and all he has to show for it is a bruise and a 2-run deficit.
Nico - May 10, 2009
It really really is. Just like last year.
I’ve no idea why it’s so bad though, ‘cos on paper is should be pretty decent. You can’t just say all of the hitters are in a slump because a) it’s been a month and b) that would suggest that we’re going to score a bajillion runs in the second half of the season, which totally isn’t going to happen.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Realistically
This team does not look like scoring even 1 run.
Trainman - May 10, 2009
what's new?
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
The Lakers were really, really pounded today.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
That makes me feel a little better
worldblee - May 10, 2009
good.
i hate lakers fans, and i don’t even follow the nba.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
I guess the Moneyball system doesn't work anymore!
Beane must feel kinda stupid for having written that book now.
[/snark]
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
This offense is just terrible.
click
Erasr - May 10, 2009
I didn't know Crosby's Mom was Sigourney Weaver?
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
haha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
She looked just like her
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Whatever we are losing by come the 9th
be it 2, 3 or 4, we will score just enough to lose by 1
Trainman - May 10, 2009
so gameday is showing that curve to kurt...
that was called a strike … inside the RH batter’s box. really?
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
It looked better on television.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
So far this season, 67 percent of our games have been decided by two runs or less.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
i need to find that site that gives W-L by run diff.
i might have done that myself though, way back when. but i’m sure it’s somewhere.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Oh well. Was a double anyway.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
O CAB sucks....Bobby is laughing at Beane right now
Bobby already has better stats then OCAB with 1/2 the at bats.
ryanmoser - May 10, 2009
Yeah I'm sure he's enjoying playing all the positions around the diamond...
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
I didn’t even realize that Crosby was hitting .267 this year now.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
Yeah, if he sustains it he'll get a good contract offer in the offseason.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
his BB% is also almost 2x career average.
like scoot, it’ll be interesting if that’s sustainable. 254/375/373/748?
also, hitting 10% more flyballs, and that’s come out of groundballs. we could be talking sample-size issues too.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
also.
his swing rate outside the strike zone is 15% – career is 20, and last two years it’s been 24 and 24.5.
so – better approach? data supports that.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
We could, plus I imagine he's been facing a good percentage of
lefties. That said he just ‘looks’ better at the plate – he’s laying off pitches he should and driving the mistakes. Perhaps his batting sessions with McGwire are paying off.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Did Holliday mess that one up?
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
I think that it was a double regardless of what Holliday did there.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
oh
yea I’m a Dish customer…so
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Nah if he gloves it he holds the guy to a single.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
So does everyone tag up on Sweeney?
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
when he has to go that far for a ball, yeah, i'd imagine
alea iacta est - May 10, 2009
It would’ve taken a heck of a throw.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
well, any time it's medium deep and the runner's going home...
you have a good shot.
if it’s deep and it’s ichiro, you go anyways.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Now it's 9-0 Toronto
Trainman - May 10, 2009
"That'll score the run" isn't a cool phrase.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
For A's fan, these are called 'add on runs'
Something we’re not very familiar with.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
What's this 'runs' word you've used?
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Jose Bautista just became good this year.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
Korach just said,
“These guys get the job done with a runner in scoring position”
Haven’t they left three men on base twice already in this game?
iglew - May 10, 2009
Yeah, it has been something like that. They left the bases loaded in the first inning and I think that Scutaro was stranded in another inning.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
To ANers;
I don’t know what to make of this season yet?
What’s your take?
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
If I printed what I thought I would have many
CGV’s
Trainman - May 10, 2009
We’ll be playing meaningful games in September.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
meangingful to the propsects who get called up in september...
brenarlo - May 10, 2009
We suck so far, but
the rest of the division isn’t great either, so there’s still a chance.
Also, I’ve been around long enough to remember those years when we always started slow and heated up in summer.
iglew - May 10, 2009
Yes, such as the 2006 season, for example.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
Yes
It’s good to be surrounded by mediocrity when you’re struggling.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
But
In the past our pitching has been much better (starting pitching)
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Sadly, I think that's overly optimistic thinking iglew
The Angels are a game over .500 despite being without 4 SPs they counted on and Vlad. They have done exactly what they needed to do.
Nico - May 10, 2009
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
To be fair....
I certainly haven’t given up on them. It is too early in the season for that.
But at this point this team is no damn fun to watch. And they remind me a lot of last year’s team. Which is not a good thing.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
I like the fact there is baseball
I really can’t get frustrated with a team this early in the season, tbh
alea iacta est - May 10, 2009
Pitching: Surprisingly good.
Hitting: Surprisingly bad.
We’re still in with a shout because the division is so poor, but it’s difficult to watch at the moment.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Well the first 1/3 of the season hasn't passed yet.
Since we’re the A’s we cannot asess anything or make any reasonable adjustments until June 1st.
Haha, but seriously our pitching probably is about what could’ve been expected but the offense is seriously underperforming….
Will we compete? Hmmm…
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
We can't be this bad. I think we'll play much better but who knows how much of a hole
we can dig before it’s too late.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
This is getting sad.
Yellowhorse - May 10, 2009
Wow, Holliday just struck out on three pitches.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
Sadly he's massively overrated.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Brett Cecil....tooo...... sttroongg!
/dies
Syphon - May 10, 2009
Cust No!
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Damn...
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
okay?
FUNDAMENTALS? no.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Speechless.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
Scutaro with a heads up play. Damn.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Cust mad!
Cust hit ball hard! Cust run hard! Cust make baserunning error.
Cust still mad!
worldblee - May 10, 2009
Sums up the season.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
You mean the 2007-09 season?
Nico - May 10, 2009
Yeah.
What’s the common link? I want to say Geren…
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Geren, bad hitters, bad hitting philosophy
The FAIL trifecta.
Nico - May 10, 2009
bad hitters
translates into bad hitting philosphy and bad hitting
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
bad hitters doesn't necessarily translate into bad philosophy.
you can know what you’re doing but not be able to execute it.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Okay.
I see bad hitters differently than non-talented hitters.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
My point is that unfortunately it's both
Bad hitters, and a bad philosophy. Not the best combination.
Nico - May 10, 2009
got it
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Which Angels pitcher is it that dominates us because he takes
advantage of that bad philosophy and throws the first pitch for a strike to get ahead in the count. It’s Saunders, right?
Obviously I don’t mean he does it exclusively, but it’s one that sticks out in my mind. He grooves that first pitch without fear of the A’s swinging the bat.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Whereas when Barajas comes up with a man at third and one out today,
he drives the first pitch to CF for a sac fly. Baseball is about making adjustments. If the home plate umpire has a wide outside corner all day, you have two choices – the A’s make the wrong one.
Nico - May 10, 2009
In reality the next guy would have popped out to left
Yellowhorse - May 10, 2009
Agreed
No way would he have been driven in.
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Yeah but then he wouldn't have to bat next inning... and we would be one person close to Cust again!!!!!
brenarlo - May 10, 2009
And now he'll have an opportunity to start the next inning that way.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
Either some leaders on the team need to step it up, the manager gets fired or we end up with a 90 loss season
Yellowhorse - May 10, 2009
I vote for firing Geren. He does not inspire this team.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Fire Geren or this team will lose
90 games
Trainman - May 10, 2009
+1
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
I agree...
brenarlo - May 10, 2009
If Urban really had balls he would come out and say that
“players don’t have confidence in Geren”.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Well assuming he had proof to back that statement up.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
and I think he does
I just know it in my heart.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
No other organization would keep him around for long
I still don’t get it. Art Howe and Macha have winning sesons and get moved out. This guy is a loser and he remains.
Yellowhorse - May 10, 2009
but they didn't get along with BB
It’s just like the real world. You normally have to get along with your boss when he’s a controlling one.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Beane Boy
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
Geren getting fired...
…would at this point be a pretty satisfying silver lining.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
This team needs to be fired up
All most of them are doing is defrauding the A’s out of money.
AT least 10 of them fall into this category IMO
Trainman - May 10, 2009
For those of you scoring at home, Giambi is the beef, Holliday is the brawn, Cust is the dynamite and Chavez is the TNT.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
Yeah probably not the time to show that commercial
Yellowhorse - May 10, 2009
TNT stands for 'totally not throwing'
worldblee - May 10, 2009
“Jack’s speed took him past the bag,” says Ray Fosse.
Fosse loves bringing up Cust’s speed.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
In fairness he was gunning it for second base.
Clearly he has the afterburners, but not the air brakes.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Holliday really doesn’t want to be on this team huh…
kyungxmin - May 10, 2009
nope...
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
"Bestiary in the Majors"?
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
Hmm?
Nico - May 10, 2009
Kuiper (I think) said....
…that the A’s bullpen had the best ERA in the majors, but I swear it sounded like “bestiary in the majors,” which sounds more interesting, especially because our bullpen would need to somehow have a negative ERA in order for us to start winning ballgames (unless, that is, someone teaches the offense to show up).
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
Would you trade Matt Holliday for Fred Lewis and Jonathan Sanchez?
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
what is sanchez's contract situation?
and is lewis better than davis?
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
I think when the Giants released Davis
it was basically a choice between him and Lewis. Lewis can’t play CF, mind. plus, he’s not very good at catching.
he did have a bunion last year, which is pretty amusing
alea iacta est - May 10, 2009
the question is: would the giants trade lewis and sanchez for holliday?
brenarlo - May 10, 2009
It's the Giants
They could probably get alderson and sandoval
alea iacta est - May 10, 2009
we can make fun of the giants all day long..
but they’re better than the A’s.
brenarlo - May 10, 2009
Still, making fun of the giants all day long sounds pretty satisfying
….seeing as complaining about this team isn’t doing much good!
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
right - but we can still make fun of them, right?
that’s clearly the more important thing
alea iacta est - May 10, 2009
The Giants are not better. They have only played 6 games outside of the NL West
and that division is worse than ours.
theblackpearl - May 10, 2009
their pitching rotation is undeniably good
and it’s not as if the A’s batters are making up the difference, at the moment
alea iacta est - May 10, 2009
Lincecum is undeniably good, and Zito is pitching well, the rest of the staff
is as inconsistent as Cahill and Anderson.
theblackpearl - May 10, 2009
I think Cain is a better pitcher, at the moment, than either of those two
which is obviously not to say they won’t be better in the future. But who would I want for just this year? Definitely Cain.
Sanchez was in the top ten in the league for strickouts last year, too. though, yes, he is massively inconsistent. not a bad man to have as your number five, though, huh.
alea iacta est - May 10, 2009
i'm relatively sure the org thinks sandoval is the second coming.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Lewis = Waay better than Davis
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Reply fail
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
He has a cycle, no?
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Wuertz continues to be very solid
And I think he has the most appearances for us? Good pickup for us, either way.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
KC Implodes
3-3 and still batting are the slegnA
Trainman - May 10, 2009
I think you are a closet slegnA fan.
You are obssessed with what they have going on at all times :-)
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
or possibly Yoda
still batting are the slegnA
alea iacta est - May 10, 2009
Plese don't insult me
I hate them and get to see them on TV because I live in Southern Cal.
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Understood.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
I need to turn this off
cuz I don’t wanna hear Fosse and Kuiper tell me I have to “tip my cap” to Toronto pitcher … um … what’s his name again?
Vacafan - May 10, 2009
Am I correct in assuming that Dallas
has yet to allow more than 3ER in any start?
I remember Haren had a pretty nice streak of that. Not that I’m comparing the two, mind you.
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
This all started in 2007 after the A's lost the 2006 ALCS fired Macha
traded Bradley and lost Chavez due to injury and we haven’t seen him since!!!
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
We haven't seen Chavez since about '04
Vacafan - May 10, 2009
He should be back 100% after his rehab assignment... (LMFAO) right!!!
Eric Chavez if your reading this, please note that we here at the “Athletics Nation” blog are sick of your injury antics and want you to go away…
Send your MLB checks to Lew and be gone!!!!!!!
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
antics?
you think he wants to be injured? o_O
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
At this point, yes I do!!!!
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
i disagree wholeheartedly.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Me too.
I think that is an unfair statement to say the least.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Still unfair???
MMunoz33 - May 13, 2009
You still disagree whole heartedly?????
MMunoz33 - May 13, 2009
this offense is terrible
ElQuesoCapitan - May 10, 2009
No it's not... we signed Nomar and Giambi... and trade for Holliday...
as soon as they get in the lineup we’ll be fine. Where have they been by the way?
brenarlo - May 10, 2009
Where they can usually be found, in the trainer's room.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Keep 'em out of there!
Players who hang out in the A’s trainer’s room rarely ever see the light of day!
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
timely hitting there
Keze - May 10, 2009
Where was that single earlier in the game, Mr Kennedy?
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
sad
Keze - May 10, 2009
who is cecil?
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
A decent pitcher being made to look outstanding by the A's.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
think he was the BJs top pitching prospect coming into this year
started in AAA, but they called him up due to almost all of their starting rotation being hurt
alea iacta est - May 10, 2009
This offense should be mercilessly booed!!!!!!!!!
brenarlo - May 10, 2009
If only there were people there to boo.
brenarlo - May 10, 2009
great at bat there, Jack.
JJ Martin - May 10, 2009
Vince, " Cecil has been brilliant through 8."
How about the A’s have just been terrible.
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Exactly. Nothing against Cecil, but I'd say
he’s been “OK.”
Nico - May 10, 2009
Is it possible that we face Cy Young every game?
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Nope
Cy Young was a righty.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
Is Vince assuming Cecil will be brilliant again next inning?
JJ Martin - May 10, 2009
The A's offense is pure garbage
Hannahan leads the charge
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Did he really say that?!
See, that’s the kind of bulls*** that really pisses me off. Do your job quit making every pitcher we face sound like Sandy Koufax. Every. Single. Time. When our offense is putrid, I have to hear our guys tell me how “brilliant” the opposing pitcher is. That is such BULLS***! Ok, I’m done.
Vacafan - May 10, 2009
Sadly they're glorified PR men.
Obviously nobody wants to hear constant criticism from the home announcers, but when it’s warranted issues should be brought up. It’s much more frustrating listening to them try to put a positive spin on the whole situation.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
It's also bad sportsmanship
if you never give credit to the opposite team’s pitching, etc, you are insulting them.
The A’s sometimes prevent the bases loaded, no outs situation from scoring – is it good pitching by the A’s, or bad batting? (not exclusive, as well.)
MobiusKlein - May 10, 2009
Obviously you make a judgement call on who deserve credit for a play.
It’s insulting to the fans to never criticise the A’s.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Yup
but here on the AN site, we are free to choose, and free to be less sportmanlike.
I think commentary provided here may not be work safe, let alone FCC allowed.
MobiusKlein - May 10, 2009
and you KNOW, Fosse is going to tip his hat, during the post game.
theblackpearl - May 10, 2009
as he should.
even if we suck, he still needs to do his job … throw strikes, etc. it’s less difficult, yes, but last i checked we were still a major league team and we can’t be relegated.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Seriously. I know that if I've never heard of the opposing pitcher?
we’re gonna get shut out.
Vacafan - May 10, 2009
Yeah, that's been true for years
Even when the A’s were good.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
naw, we'll get 2 in the ninth
Keze - May 10, 2009
And leave the tying and winning runners on base.
JJ Martin - May 10, 2009
Wow, pathetic.
It won’t matter if they ever get a new stadium built. No one is going to show up to see the awful product being put on the field.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
+1
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Ziegler lives.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
My wife is watching 'Wendy and Lucy'
Can’t figure out which is sadder, that movie or this game.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
I rejoiced!
Never heard of the movie and that makes me happy for some odd reason.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Here's the plot summary
A woman’s life is derailed en route to a potentially lucrative summer job. When her car breaks down, and her dog is taken to the pound, the thin fabric of her financial situation comes apart, and she is led through a series of increasingly dire economic decisions.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
Then she finds love, right?
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
I just got on, but dang...
this is a slow game thread.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
Lovely inning by Ziggy
welcome back
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Eric should be back 100% after his rehab assignment... (LMFAO) right!!!
Eric Chavez if your reading this, please note that we here at the "Athletics Nation" blog are sick of your injury antics and want you to go away…
Send your MLB checks to Lew and be gone!!!!!!!
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
Deja Vu!
Next time, you might want to try spelling “you’re” correctly. Just sayin’….
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
I thought Chavez retired?
wacchampions - May 10, 2009
I thought he went to the moon on an experimental Virgin-craft
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
I think his credit line to BALCO just got cut off.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
Eric Chavez is a virgin? Wow!!
wacchampions - May 10, 2009
That does nothing for me besides state the obvious. Heck, why did it even start at 50%?
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
Ziegler has a nice frisbee
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
it looks cool on gameday.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
It looks cooler in real life.
Just sayin.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
KK says... "We'll see if the A's offense can come alive"
Go out and buy a lottery ticket Ken
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Surprised Vince didn't remind him we're facing
Drysdale … I mean, Seaver… I mean Gibson … wait,
Vacafan - May 10, 2009
Does anyone know our BP's era so far?
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
2.7 or there abouts
Trainman - May 10, 2009
2.73
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Nice
Just trying to cheer myself up.
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
It was, I believe, 2.65 coming into today’s game.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
take a walk Cabrera
Keze - May 10, 2009
short pier too.
MobiusKlein - May 10, 2009
Kuiper: "Whatever [Cecil]'s doing, it's working today."
Facing the A’s, perhaps?
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
+ a million
(sob)
baseballgirl - May 10, 2009
Why is it always, hey the other pitcher is doing really well today?
When does it become, our offense sucks, rather than every other team in baseball has really great pitching?
wacchampions - May 10, 2009
and then people on here would be complaining about the announcers’ endless negativity?
Kevin2 - May 10, 2009
He was pretty good in his first start as well
6 IP, 1 run I think. So 1 run against a normal team = 0 against the A’s in more innings.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
Again, it's only a month, but bloody hell why is Cabrera still leading off?
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Somebody has to do it
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Preferably somebody that can hit.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
I have a feeling that O-Cab
is one of those players who would bitch and moan if he was moved down in the lineup, but he definitely doesn’t deserve to lead off.
I know we don’t have a lot of great choices but at least we should give someone else a chance, I mean that CANNOT possibly be performing worse than Cabrera.
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Fairly disgusting.
baseballgirl - May 10, 2009
Nah, Kuip ... it just "helps" to face us.
Vacafan - May 10, 2009
Please just give us something to cheer about. Anyone?
JJ Martin - May 10, 2009
I had a draft beer in my basement...
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
At least we are not Cub fans!
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
At least they have a stadium worth visiting.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
so do we when the Raiders are playing the Broncos or Chiefs...
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
but the team isn't worth watching
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
A's radio ratings will be better this week
Since I’m filling out an Arbitron diary? I’m sticking with this game so I can honestly say that I listened to every A’s game this week.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
We are terrible.
ElQuesoCapitan - May 10, 2009
That's be nice
Trainman - May 10, 2009
being
nice
Trainman - May 10, 2009
We are shittingly atrocious.
ElQuesoCapitan - May 10, 2009
Are you Poppins in disguise?
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Supercalisuckalisticexpialicrapotious
ElQuesoCapitan - May 10, 2009
if we're so bad... why do we bother to get hits before the 7th inning?
games would at least be exciting then…
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
What kinda' odds would you give me if I bet $100 the A's will get no-hit this season?
Vacafan - May 10, 2009
Thats a really really good question.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
LOL, all the sports-bettors are thinking about it ... 10-1?
Vacafan - May 10, 2009
Why is Beane so much worse at getting hitters than the other 29 GMs in MLB?
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
Cause he drafts "Walkers"
and not “hitters”.
Syphon - May 10, 2009
If this keeps up we should have some high draft picks that will be ready by 2012
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
+1
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
i don't think we particularly draft to an approach,,
but we teach that approach and make people follow it.
this is just recollection and i have no proof.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
I don't know
but he is a failure in this department.
Keeps drafting pitchers and the hitters he does draft are told to back their way on base.
Trainman - May 10, 2009
I know build a team around pitching is prob a better idea
than build a team around hitters. But man it sure is boring as shit to watch.
Syphon - May 10, 2009
Amazing defense...
Keze - May 10, 2009
How in the hell do you let that ball drop?
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
Ryan stopped to wave hello to his mom?
worldblee - May 10, 2009
I will say it again
Fire Geren or get ready for 90 losses.
This team is not motivated.
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Beane only fires managers with winning records.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
and doesn't give a guy like Francona a shot
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Turns out it's basically impossible to catch..
…if you believe Fosse and Kuiper.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
i <3 this team.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
lol
MMunoz33 - May 10, 2009
One less than three
that’s true anytime.
MobiusKlein - May 10, 2009
I s
Not necessarily these players.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
Man, I'm as bad as the A's
Spelling fail.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
Fosse and Kuiper are laughing at our team
I don’t think it’s funny.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
I agree
it angers the fuck out of me that they are so incompetent.
Trainman - May 10, 2009
If you have MLB.tv it's generally less painful to listen to other teams' broadcasters
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
I think he was referring to the A's team.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
How ’bout that food they get in the booth, eh?
Kevin2 - May 10, 2009
the difference is that they're getting paid, and you're paying to see it.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Ouch. My bill is $180 a month.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
On the plus side...
…unlike DishTV subscribers who are also paying to see it, I’m actually seeing it!
Wait…maybe that’s not such a good thing….
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
I think they're trying to laugh _with_ our team.
Which is actually worse, in a way.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
I feel so stupid for thinking we'd actually contend for anything this year.
The Angels are just going to get better. Hell, the Rangers don’t even Hamilton right now.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
I think this weak division reasoning
Has run its course. Being 7 games under ,500 gets you nothing but the cellar. You have to be playing like you are on a mission and this team is playing like they want to lose.
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Obviously, we need to be over .500 before it's worth talking about anything
But it’s still good news that no one is tearing it up in our division.
worldblee - May 10, 2009
Agreed. I hope we reach .500 because that should make it interesting.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
I agree and the Angels are theoretically supposed to be worse than us with all their injuries.....Im looking at the standings and don't see it...
wacchampions - May 10, 2009
It's because they know how to operate on the basepaths.
They are not good. They just play the game smarter than we do.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
They run the bases very well and know how to manufacture runs.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Which is what you should do when you have average hitters
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
EXACTLY
Nico - May 10, 2009
Don't EVER feel stupid in your optimism.....what kind of fans are we if we don't support our team?
even when they’re losing…
BERRYJO - May 10, 2009
We do support the team
they just piss us off in the process
Trainman - May 10, 2009
It's just to the point they have been so pathetic offensively since 2004...
that it isn’t even fun to watch anymore. For some reason I still do it though.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
I think it's b/c they could turn it around in ANY game!
We never know which game will be brilliant so we continue to watch. Intermitent reinforcement does it. LOL
BERRYJO - May 10, 2009
I know.....they make me mad too
BERRYJO - May 10, 2009
wtf, can't catch a break
Keze - May 10, 2009
I really thought he was out.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
where was pitch #2 of this ab?
gameday says it hit him, but clearly it didn’t.
“and the a’s …. do NOT get the double play.” sigh. good try. marco hates us :(
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Marco kinda hopped over pitch 2. it was way in, and way low
alea iacta est - May 10, 2009
He was out.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
The replay shows that his foot hit the dirt in front of the bag...He was out!
wacchampions - May 10, 2009
I wish I had a guitar to fix...
…so I could have a draft beer in the basement.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
Did Scoot even touch the bag?
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
COuld we not just catch ONE break ??
BERRYJO - May 10, 2009
... grumble. but but. the pen era.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
It's always hard to get 4 outs in an inning
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
well, now the A's need 3 in the ninth
Keze - May 10, 2009
5 now...
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Notch that one up for the umps.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Jeff Gray is on the team now?
iglew - May 10, 2009
yeah... i really wish he were DFA'ed.
… and that’s before he made the ML roster.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
He was called up along with Kennedy while Petit was sent back to Triple-A Sacramento and Copeland was designated for assignment.
Rated-R Superstar - May 10, 2009
Ah, I missed the Copeland half.
So did the Giants reclaim him off rule 5 then?
iglew - May 10, 2009
There's a 5 day waiting period, no?
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
you're correct.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
sigh.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Didn't Z used to be good?
MobiusKlein - May 10, 2009
BZ was very good for a long time.
Then he really really sucked for a while. And lately he’s been good again.
iglew - May 10, 2009
He's still recovering from flu and then bad athsma...
BERRYJO - May 10, 2009
BABIP:
last year: .246
this year: .379
FIP:
last year: 3.72
this year: 2.51
be patient. it’ll get there.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
argh
Keze - May 10, 2009
I know we have a solid bullpen
but why take Braden out after 84 pitches? I mean Geren does that sort of thing a lot and then complains about his guys not going deep enough?
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
Young keeps a three game count.
I wonder if Braden has gone over his allocated pitch count over the three combined starts.
That or he’s just realised he’s broken his hand on that comebacker. Either or – we are the A’s after all.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
I hate our obsession with pitch count
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
I'm just speculating. Until the post game interviews
we won’t know why they pulled him.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
GOLF CLAP
this game is full of awesome
Kevin2 - May 10, 2009
I want another crazy game that gets really close at the end.
Like those games against the Mariners.
iglew - May 10, 2009
unearned runs!
E umpire.
AV - May 10, 2009
Dang it guys, you are ruining this for me. You are way ahead of the mlb.tv feed.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
I think there's plenty of blame to go around on this one
pretty much everyone except Suzuki and Braden
Keze - May 10, 2009
What's to ruin?
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Yaya
and the A’s even ruin my chance at getting a save for my fantasy team. This team and F off.
Syphon - May 10, 2009
Ziggy sucks at the moment
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Can't watch this anymore.
It’s a third season of ineptitude, far too much for me to take.
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
Imagine being a Nationals fan!
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
they have fans?
at least they have strasburg to get excited about.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
We have pitching prospects to get excited about too....
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
On paper :- /
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Well so is Strasburg.
He’s not mowing down ML hitters in college y’know…
OldhamA - May 10, 2009
sigh.
strasburg seems to be something else, though. i don’t know, we’ll see. i honestly expect him in the majors by august though.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
They have been drawing
better than the A’s this year, marginally.
Kevin2 - May 10, 2009
new park, blahblahblah.
wait … marginally better … in a 2 (3?) year old park?!
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Agreed.
Ill follow on game cast but Im not watching anymore.
Syphon - May 10, 2009
At least you can watch it
Lame Dish Network customer here. Lousy TV contracts, lousy offense…GO A’s! Rally!
franks a lot - May 10, 2009
I dont mind losing
but this is like watching paint dry.
asfaninpismobeach - May 10, 2009
At least when you're watching paint dry, it's usually no worse than a tie.
Nico - May 10, 2009
One question
what color paint?
MobiusKlein - May 10, 2009
or paint crack.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
You're supposed to paint it?
I’ve been snorting it.
Nico - May 10, 2009
Yeah. Why are there drug wars?
You can buy a gallon of paint for $12.99 and it lasts for several years.
ohtobe21likehuston - May 10, 2009
Hmmmm....crack! That sounds like a good idea about now.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
Im gonna sniff the paint if this they keep playing like this
asfaninpismobeach - May 10, 2009
normally one might expect a useless solo shot this inning
but with the way the A’s are playing today I’m thinking 3 pitches = 3 outs
Keze - May 10, 2009
There's one...
BERRYJO - May 10, 2009
Bah, Cust ruins the perfecto
Keze - May 10, 2009
"Rhymes" in the Miller Genuine Draft jingle:
guitar – yard
woods – good
pool – cruise
place – taste
Fail.
iglew - May 10, 2009
I think that was today's useless solo shot bid...
Expect a 1-2-3 inning now.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
I'm outtie
DaSwinginA's - May 10, 2009
At this point, I'd rather see a newly activated Cunningham play than "This Ain't No" Holliday
franks a lot - May 10, 2009
The sooner he gets called up...
the sooner he puts up a .196 BA and our hopes for him for being somewhat decent in the major leagues go out the window.
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
Yeah, but when Holliday is flirting iwth the Mendoza line, why pay millions more for the same production?
In all honesty, I’m just tired of crappy offense : (
franks a lot - May 10, 2009
YAAA
emergency broadcasting!
MobiusKlein - May 10, 2009
It's pretty sad
when you say Game over as soon as run is given up and actually mean it when you say it
Trainman - May 10, 2009
It's over!
Keze - May 10, 2009
oh man! my radio went into emergency broadcast system klaxon mode
and i was all like, YES! nuclear war!
but then the game came back.
AV - May 10, 2009
We suck
ElQuesoCapitan - May 10, 2009
gulp.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Game over, and there is a might roar
from the crowd.
Kevin2 - May 10, 2009
i'm not sure.
studying may have been more fun than the game itself.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
That's gotta be sad.....
BERRYJO - May 10, 2009
fizzle
ak_A - May 10, 2009
That could have been worse.
When they go extra innings they hurt even more.
GreenNGoldSooner - May 10, 2009
Our offense is no better than it was last year....This team is unwatchable!!
And I am tired of the excuses from the A’s media team….they are talkng about how they ran into a pitcher who was really on his game today…..just shut up!!! They just keep giving him credit….If we had just one inkling of offense it would not have been that way!
wacchampions - May 10, 2009
good grief
hang your heads
tosk - May 10, 2009
here... have a graph.
from fangraphs
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
Why does it start at 50/50?
KMoAsFan - May 10, 2009
there are arguments for and against this.
technically i think it should be about 52/48, but fangraphs uses formulas instead of emperical data… but because of stuff like this:
from here
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
highest WPA on the A's side:
Wuertz: +2.2%
Croz: +2.1%
Kurt: +1.9%
Gray: +0.1%
Ziggy: -1.2%
pitching: -2.4%; hitting: -47.6%
Cecil: +46.8%
yawn.
Jjjsixsix - May 10, 2009
F U Torri Hunter
Robs Olivo of a game tying homer. Over the wall by at least a foot
Trainman - May 10, 2009
never heard of Rob Olivo
ak_A - May 10, 2009
Are they going to do this again next year too?
No one comes in from Holliday, Giambi, OCab, Crosby and they’re still stuck with an injured Chavez and Ellis? With more 1-year vets and rooks who are not ready but have to try? Payroll is not going up… Geren will be back. Good grief…
But hey… Devine will be back.
Tim Blekicks - May 10, 2009
KC just got swept so
they will right their ship when they come here.
Trainman - May 10, 2009
Well I'm sure that no matter what we will make all of their pitchers look like Cy Young!
wacchampions - May 10, 2009
Brett Cecil was 0-3 with an ERA of 8 in AAA....and gets his 1st ML win today??? WTF!
wacchampions - May 10, 2009
Did we just throw a lineup with 5 lefties against a lefty?
Makes a whole lotta sense to send Petit back to AAA and bring in Kennedy when Toronto have 2 LHP’s in the series.
itsgemme - May 10, 2009
Sorry. 4 lefties and Hannahan who doesn't count as anything
itsgemme - May 10, 2009
We have scored in 3 of our last 28 innings
Major shakeup needed including firing that sack we have for a manager.
This team is an embarrassment to it’s fans but we are lifelong fans so we will have to endure this shit for a little longer.
As far as I am concerned the blame falls squarely on Billy Beane who when it comes to drafting hitters that are needed to fill the gaping holes is out GM’ed by most of baseball
Trainman - May 10, 2009
GAME RECAP IS UP
Here
Nico - May 10, 2009
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