Pre-Game Thread: Can the A's Do the Splits?

by 67MARQUEZ on Jun 11, 2009 10:00 AM PDT

I am starting to remember why I stopped liking the Twins.

The A's try to put last night's come-from-ahead loss behind them, and salvage a split of this four-game series. This is a critical stretch for the Home Nine, and if they are unable to play themselves back into the division race, it won't be for jet-lag.

Aside from their visit to the Windy City to begin the month, the A's won't play outside of California for the remainder of June; a rather comfy string of 25 games within state limits until they head to Cleveland for the 4th of July weekend.

Next month is not nearly as kind, so now is the time to make a move.

I made a comment during the win streak that the offense was still a concern, and while my methods were askew, the point was there, somewhere. The A's have managed nineteen hits their last four games, and take away that late 5-run explosion Tuesday night, have just ten runs during that same stretch. And if that is too small sample size for you, well the A's are still residing on the wrong side of the American League in the categories that matter (dead last in batting, slugging, and OPS).

That's a discomforting development even when the pitching is lights out, but when it's not- and now we can add an increasingly vulnerable bullpen to the mix- it's enough to cause heartburn, fits of rage, uncontrollable sobbing, and all kinds of terrible things. Basically AN at is bleakest.

The problem is, options are few, which is why you'll continue to see names like Crosby, Hannahan, and Davis in the line-up.

***

A quick note on Braden's post-outing interview. I didn't hear it but I imagine he said all the right things, as any teammate would, even after Wuertz surrendered the game-tying homerun. It called to mind the time when Dennis Eckersley twice blew saves for Dave Stewart in back-to-back attempts at his 20th win. On both occasions the A's emerged victorious, with Eck "earning" the "W". Said Dave Henderson after the second time, "Eck's just trying to get to 20 before Stew."

While we can sit here and surmise how funny it would have been had Braden expressed what he had to surely be feeling inside, the superstitious side of me wishes these interviews would actually wait until after the game.

Oh well, just a thought.

Game time is12:35PM. The usual stuff to follow.

0 recs | 152 comments

Comments

Splits? Wait, are those kinda like...

GYMNASTICS

mikev - June 11, 2009 reply

July 2 Int'l draft

Jean Carlos Batista

Beane: DO IT… Do it, now. Just DO IT.

http://baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=1309

dtownmbrown - June 11, 2009 reply

Re: Braden

He seems like the kind of guy who understands that while there are times a reliever will blow the win for him by giving up a homer or something like that, there are others where he leaves in trouble and the reliever bails him out to preserve the win. Ideally, it all evens out in the end.

Flashfire - June 11, 2009 reply

Braden is the man. I've been impressed with his "off-the-field: demeanor since his callup

and subsequent stellar MLB debut against Baltimore a couple season back.

dtownmbrown - June 11, 2009 reply

Idle speculation about people I don't really know

I wonder if Braden has consciously stepped up as the “veteran” presence of the staff. He was handed the Opening Day start almost by default, but he embraced the role with aplomb. We were half-laughing at the though of Braden (24 starts before this year) as the ace of the team. But his impressive on field work in 2009 has lent credibility to the notion. He’s the unquestioned leader of the staff (even if he’s not a true #1). He already had the outgoing personality, but now it has a focus helping out the 21-22 year-olds make it through their rookie year. He’s still young enough to be one of the guys, but he’s like the trusted older brother who’s always there for you, win or lose. Right now, I’d say he should be the 2010 Opening Day starter, and it won’t be by default.

GoA's - June 11, 2009 reply

Points for "aplomb"

pam5981 - June 11, 2009 reply

reflecting back on it...

How far you going back? way back.)

there was a huge jump in maturity between 21 and 25. as grown up as I was at 21, it was nothing compared to 25. And that seems to be true across the board.

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