Official 2007 Oakland A's Thread

[mikev]

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

I defended Geren!

Gotta keep it positive when it's just the first week...

I understand the points you made, but you just don't let their best player beat you.

[Green & Gold Heart]

The A's are running themselves out of this game. Somewhere Billy Beane is fuming.

[mikev]

I'm not sure what was the most clutch play tonight:

Scutaro not driving in Ellis from 3rd with <2 out.

Scutaro making a terrible throw allowing the go-ahead run to score.

Scutaro striking out like a little leaguer with 1st-3rd and 2 out.

[Green & Gold Heart]

I don't know, Eric Chavez GIDP first pitch swinging in the 9th was pretty clutch as well.

That was some ugly, ugly baseball by the A's, and another undeserved loss for Dan Haren.

[mikev]

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

I don't know, Eric Chavez GIDP first pitch swinging in the 9th was pretty clutch as well.

Agreed, and I'm pretty much a Chavez fanboy, too. That was just inexcusable. Geren calling for Ellis to sac bunt was just as stupid.

That was some ugly, ugly baseball by the A's, and another undeserved loss for Dan Haren.

Yup.

[Green & Gold Heart]

Music to my ears:

After showing the A's little in an injury-marred 2006 season and starting off this season in rough fashion, reliever Jay Witasick, who gave up a three-run homer to Vladimir Guerrero on Friday night, might be on thin ice. Relief pitching is the organization's strength, both in the majors and minors, and Marcus McBeth and Mike Mitchell are expected to be pushing for big-league spots soon, which means that Witasick, an 11-year veteran, could be the odd man out if he doesn't show better reliability.

Linkage (scroll down)

[Green & Gold Heart]

Back to normal lineup as we try to split the series:

Kendall
Stewart
Bradley
Piazza
Chavez
Swisher
Crosby
Buck
Ellis

[Bobbuttons]

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

Back to normal lineup as we try to split the series:

Kendall
Stewart
Bradley
Piazza
Chavez
Swisher
Crosby
Buck
Ellis

Must be nice to have your team actually playing baseball this weekend.

[Green & Gold Heart]

Originally Posted by Bobbuttons

Must be nice to have your team actually playing baseball this weekend.

Yeah, sorry your team got snowed out, Bob. Please tell the Tribe to whoop up on the Halos this week. TIA.

[Green & Gold Heart]

dola,

That had the makings of a RISP nightmare, but thanks to some stellar pitching (Embree - wow!), A's split the series.

[Green & Gold Heart]

Good Milton Bradley quote:

Originally Posted by Milton Bradley

I don't think they like us, and we don't like them too much. We're all out there, high-energy, focused and battling. It's almost like winning twice when you beat the Angels.

[mirrf]

link to the A's site

Geren also noted that he was pleased with Blanton's efficiency, despite the fact that Blanton needed help to get out of the sixth inning and threw 98 pitches (58 strikes). He still turned in Oakland's sixth consecutive quality start, beating Kelvim Escobar (1-1).

I thought a starter had to go 6 innings to get a QS. When did this change?

Either way, good win for the A's.

EDIT:
Bobby Crosby error count through 5 games played: 3

[Green & Gold Heart]

Originally Posted by mirrf

link to the A's site



I thought a starter had to go 6 innings to get a QS. When did this change?

Either way, good win for the A's.

It's been five as long as I can remember.

EDIT:
Bobby Crosby error count through 5 games played: 3

Oh no, B-Cro!

[darkhorse]

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

It's been five as long as I can remember.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_start

[Green & Gold Heart]

Originally Posted by darkhorse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_start

OK, I think I'm confusing quality start with "enough innings to be able to get a win." I thought they were one in the same.

[mirrf]

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

OK, I think I'm confusing quality start with "enough innings to be able to get a win." I thought they were one in the same.

Quality Starts were the first statistic that I really questioned the validity to. I mean, 6 innings and 3 earned runs *isn't* great. It's just enough to keep the game within reach, but not something you'd be happy you're #1 starter doing.

[Green & Gold Heart]

Originally Posted by mirrf

Quality Starts were the first statistic that I really questioned the validity to. I mean, 6 innings and 3 earned runs *isn't* great. It's just enough to keep the game within reach, but not something you'd be happy you're #1 starter doing.

Well "quality" doesn't have to be great, it can be just decent. I would feel OK most days if my starter went six and gave up three. That is a winnable game.

[mirrf]

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

Well "quality" doesn't have to be great, it can be just decent. I would feel OK most days if my starter went six and gave up three. That is a winnable game.

If you had relievers like the A's, I would take the 6/3 most of the time, too. But if you had a bunch of Witasicks, you'd be screwed.

If Blanton ended up with 33 starts, a 4.5 ERA, and 198 innings would you be satisfied? I wouldn't, and he's our 3 or 4 starter. (Even thought that's what I expect from him.) -But I'd like Kennedy to end up with those numbers so I see your point.

[Green & Gold Heart]

Kendall
Stewart
Bradley
Piazza
Chavez
Swisher
Crosby
Buck
Ellis

What is it going to take to get A's announcers on MLB.tv? I haven't heard them once yet, and I don't even get them for the home opener.

Bonus though - no Hawk Harrelson tonight!

[mikev]

*sigh*

Harden 2er and takes the Loss.

I'm really not liking Kendall-Stewart as the 1-2 hitters. At all.