another W tonight. 8-2 in the last 10. 9-5 overall.

let's take care of business again tomorrow, fly home and beat the shit out of seattle mid-week.

4/15/2008 2:02:39 AM

its amazing. but the stats look similar to previous years except...

#11 Runs scored
#1 triples
#3 ERA
#28 with 10 errors in 14 games <very unlike previous A's teams

4/15/2008 8:50:59 AM

Quote :

"Closing time? That begs another question: How does 30 saves sound to Harden? Or 40? Or 50? In his three relief outings last season, he allowed four hits and zero runs, and fans and scouts who are dying to see his stuff on a more regular basis have been clamoring for him to be converted into a late reliever for the past few years. "I don't understand why they didn't make the switch this offseason," says an AL scout. "It's obvious that the kid takes good care of his body, but it's been failing him for whatever reason for a long time now. I'd stick him in the bullpen. It'd keep the number of throws he makes down, and all he'd need if he was throwing one inning is that fastball and changeup, so there'd be less stress on his arm. "You aren't getting much out of him as a starter, anyway. He could be the next Mariano [Rivera] if they ever made him a closer." Beane has conceded the logic in such a suggestion, but he's of the mind that a pitcher who can overpower a team for seven or eight innings twice a week is far more valuable than one who works an inning or so three to five times a week. Harden has long opposed a role change, too, but late last season he suggested that he'd be open to the idea if the injuries persisted. "I like having the ball in my hands as much as possible," he said. "But at some point, you probably have to try something different. I'd rather pitch out of the bullpen than be on the DL, put it that way." Opponents and teammates feel for Harden. Angels reliever Scot Shields calls Harden's injuries evidence that baseball can be "cruel and nasty." Rays first baseman Carlos Pena laments that fans are missing out on seeing someone "very special" in his prime. A's second baseman Mark Ellis says Harden's struggle to stay healthy has been "sad to watch." Opposing hitters are in no hurry to see Harden on the hill when they're in the box, though. To wit: Down two strikes in a 2005 game at Safeco Field, Mariners slugger Richie Sexson took a typically healthy hack at an offering from Harden ... and missed the ball by a good two feet. It was "The Spluckler," but Sexson didn't know that. So before trudging back to the dugout, he looked for a little clarification. "What the heck was that?" he asked the home-plate umpire. "I have no idea," the umpire said. "Never seen anything like it." As far as Harden, the A's and their fans are concerned, baseball hasn't seen nearly enough of it."

makes ya wonder....

4/15/2008 9:35:25 AM

I wouldn't mind Street moving to the setup position if all Harden is doing is being put on the DL. Street to Harden would be one of the nastier SU-CP combos out there. Any more out their on Chavez return?

4/15/2008 10:29:09 AM

Chavvy may still be 2-3 months away I think even though they list him as a month...
Compare recovery time to what Kotsay had to go through last year....

Eveland finally showed his weakness yesterday against the ChiSox... control...
We need HARDEN to come back and start!

4/16/2008 9:21:10 AM

It wil also be nice to get Duke back in the rotation.

Mariners come to town tonight. Need to get off to a good start in the AL West.

4/16/2008 9:37:41 AM

wtf, the bats have gone dry...

Im worried that we only looked good against cleveland and toronto pitching that was overrated at the time. It may be that we cant hit Mariners / Angels pitchers very well again this year...

4/17/2008 11:10:03 AM

really need to take a W tonight from the those pricks in seattle

4/17/2008 1:08:39 PM

Quote :

"The A's won despite committing an error in their 11th consecutive game, the team's longest such streak since 1985. The throwing error by Hannahan, Oakland's third baseman, accounted for Kansas City's first run."

wtf

4/19/2008 10:51:03 AM

Quote :

"The miscue by Barton marked the 12th consecutive game Oakland has committed an error, matching the team's longest streak since 1983. "

4/19/2008 7:41:35 PM

sweeping the royals would be pretty nice.

4/20/2008 3:11:27 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3361270

Big Hurt back to OAKtown?

4/22/2008 5:59:15 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3365079

BIG HURT OFFICIALLY BACK IN OAKTOWN

4/24/2008 12:54:34 PM

A's are playing the Mariners this weekend

you bitches are going down and the M's are taking the division lead

Bedard will be coming off the DL Saturday vs. the A's

4/24/2008 1:48:36 PM

Congrats, your payroll is over twice what Oakland's is, the Mariners organization is pretty embarrassing if you ask me, I'd be comfortable beating Texas is if I were Seattle, that's a about the only thing they've done with that top ten payroll the last few seasons.

4/24/2008 4:39:32 PM

^^I do like the M's squad this year and the M's match up very well against the A's again this year. But when was the last time the M's won the West? Did you forget about the other team in the AL West that spends alot of $$ and actually succeeds?

Talk sh!t when the M's actually do something...stfu until then

4/24/2008 5:01:37 PM

fuck it, let's sweep the mariners.

Signing Frank just means that we are serious about being contenders in the AL.




**** Cant wait. Going to see the A's in Boston in August.

4/25/2008 2:46:02 AM

Quote :

"Congrats, your payroll is over twice what Oakland's is, the Mariners organization is pretty embarrassing if you ask me, I'd be comfortable beating Texas is if I were Seattle, that's a about the only thing they've done with that top ten payroll the last few seasons."

Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre are like half our payroll and about a 1/10th of the production
Sexson is gone after this year (contract is up) and Beltre is gone after next year

our moderate "success" have come because other lesser paid guys in our lineup. We are better off without the $15 million and .215 BA Sexson in our lineup.

Quote :

"^^I do like the M's squad this year and the M's match up very well against the A's again this year. But when was the last time the M's won the West? Did you forget about the other team in the AL West that spends alot of $$ and actually succeeds? Talk sh!t when the M's actually do something...stfu until then"

I'm only basing my shit talking on our 2-0 record against you guys this year and 14-5 last year. Not to mention that Putz is healthy and Bedard comes back Saturday (Felix pitches on Sunday).

Our squad was looking good before the year started. That was before everyone realized that our bullpen is one of the worst in the league (aside from Putz). Without Putz, there has been 4 blown saves and a countless amount of times the SP would leave with a lead and the bullpen would give it up.

We were up 5-0 to the orioles last night in the 7th when the bullpen took over. We ended up losing 7-8.

4/25/2008 7:34:44 AM

We're playing four game series against the Angels in Anaheim (not LA) for best record in the AL in addition to the AL West crown... Gotta take at least one in this series to keep pace!

I am more afraid of them than the M's by far... It has been a surprise to get to this point thus far, but the Beanies will have to grow up even more if we are to beat out the Angels...

4/28/2008 12:58:42 PM

this is a bigass series comin up.

4/28/2008 1:18:52 PM

Nobody is afraid of girl scouts, therefore no one fears the mariners. Nice job by the arrogant Hernandez to stay in the 8th inning and cost his team the game, no excuse there, know your limits.....Now on to real divisional threats, the Angels. Need to win tonight, preferably a close game with Street coming on to shut them down. I'd rather not even see K-Rod at all. It's going to be crucial for the young pitching staff to survive the first three innings against the Angels all star top 6 payroll lineup. I expect Vlad and Hunter to have big series unfortunately. And when is Harden coming back, any word on potential rehab starts?

4/28/2008 5:12:02 PM

thing to keep in mind about the angels this year...Escobar is out and he won 18 games last year...he might be out for the season, its still up in the air...Lackey should be back in a few weeks, but he's still out...he won 19 games last year

their top 2 pitchers are out...while they're still in 1st in the west right now, its not a stretch for them to fall off some...37 games won between 2 pitchers last year, and they're both out right now for the time being

4/28/2008 5:16:53 PM

Uhhhh, Oakland dealt it's best pitcher in the offseason, who started the All Star game BTW, and now has the next best pitcher on the shelf indefinitely. The best reliever has just come off the DL, and oh by the way, the best fielder/bat/leader has been on the DL since the beginning of the season and figures to be on it for another month. There will be absolutely no sympathy for any team with regards to injuries from Oakland, especially a team with the 6th highest payroll while sporting bats like Vlad, hunter, Anderson, Figgins, etc etc..

4/28/2008 5:28:24 PM

i'm a twins fan...i know all about unloading best players in the offseason

i'm not trying to get sympathy for any team, i'm just saying i don't think the angels are going to be as good as they were last year since they lost their 2 best pitchers

speaking of losing pitchers...how in the FUCK did Zito win the Cy Young 5-6 years ago, and this season in San Fran he becomes the 3rd pitcher EVER to be 0-6 at the end of April? talk about falling off

4/28/2008 5:41:34 PM

yeah Zito really has hit rock bottom... My guess is that he will suck it up so that the A's can afford his contract in two years. Then, he can come home to the youngest, best (and arguably most fun-loving) clubhouse in the game where he grew up...

I think that all present and former A's pitchers get addicted to the home ballpark like crack - its so much harder to hit the longball there and the foul territory is humongous...

4/28/2008 5:54:01 PM

Quote :

"talk about falling off Billy Bean being the best GM in the history of professional athletics"

Fixed it for you. What a great time to unload Hudson and Mulder as well. Zito is terrible in the NL, I'm guessing having to bat may account for the troubles that the Oakland pitchers have endured in the NL. Zito is also a head case, any little thing could kill his focus, the laid back clubhouse atmosphere in Oakland was just as much responsible for his success there as his physical talent. Zito as the main attraction is nothing but troubel for him. He's too laid back to be the guy that actually craves the attention like most ML pitchers. But you can't measure this on paper which is why other teams love to get Oakland's talent as soon as it skyrockets and results with arms in the air when it hits the fan because it didn't translate to their team. I was sad to see Haren leave, but when you start in the All Star game, you don't stay in Oakland long, Giambi, Tejada, etc.

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 6:02 PM. Reason : .]

4/28/2008 6:00:51 PM

wow this game is funny...8 run 7th inning...hilarity ensues in anaheim

4/29/2008 12:31:52 AM

The boys looked great tonight. Hitting on all cylinders right now except for the nagging error bug that has crept up...

Best record in the AL on April 29 to a team that was supposed to have more losses than home runs (and still isnt far away from the losses > HR stat)....

4/29/2008 12:38:06 AM

good shit

4/29/2008 1:05:51 AM

[Edited on April 29, 2008 at 2:52 PM. Reason : wtf -images wont show?!?]

4/29/2008 2:48:50 PM

18-10 coming off a commanding two of four at Angel stadium to keep the tie for AL's best...
Harden is about a week away from his return -cross your fingers!


http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080502&content_id=2625912&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

Tied for most rus scored in the AL
five runs behind ChiSox for least runs allowed in the AL
Whodathunk it?

5/2/2008 11:55:50 AM

i know high school showcase ball and the MLB are two completely different levels, but we faced adenhart (last night's starting p for the angels) at some tournament up at ODU a few years ago.

he threw a no-no against us like it was easy. our team could hit too (several D1 players, and a few minor league players were on that team). kinda surprised the A's knocked him around so hard.

a sweep of the rangers would be sweeeeeet

[Edited on May 2, 2008 at 12:14 PM. Reason : 1]

5/2/2008 12:12:04 PM

we should have won this texas series. that 1st game was bullshit. How bout #2 on ESPN Pwr Rank, eh?

5/4/2008 11:37:52 PM

yea, losing a series against a AAA team in the Rangers certainly hurts, and the young hitting (or lack thereof) I think is going to cost this team come September. The young pitching is much better than expected, maybe Harden can come back and fill the shoes of the Ace. Big sweep of the Orioles today, two of the 3 W's in extras against a team that was playing well until they came out west. You're going to sweep a lot of teams when you give up 8 runs in a 3 game series and take 2/3 almost always......

5/7/2008 7:04:29 PM

Yeah, nice series against the O's. I agree that the young bats are probably going to kick us later on, but if not for the friggin Angels - we would be a hands down dark horse pick to win the West by now...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3386182
^great article on the offseason trades in review.... also a true A's fan will get the Triviality question easily before you scroll down the page....

Quote :

"Only two active pitchers have started an All-Star Game one summer and then been traded in the following offseason -- and coincidentally, they were once traded for each other. Can you name them? (Answer later.)"

Can't wait for Cisco Park to open up and get the $$ flowing in. Maybe we can keep the next Barry Zito - no wait(he sucks now).... the next Dan Haren.... no wait(that was a great trade for us).... how bout this current team of young studs(?)



[Edited on May 8, 2008 at 2:04 PM. Reason : had to add the bash bros pic.... so classic]

[Edited on May 8, 2008 at 2:05 PM. Reason : link]

[Edited on May 8, 2008 at 2:05 PM. Reason : grr]

5/8/2008 2:01:27 PM

#1 ESPN PWR RANKS
I didnt think ESPN would recognize what this team has accomplished unless they had by far the best record in the majors....I guess SOS must be weighted rather heavily...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/powerranking?season=2008&week=7

Spotlight on Beane and the 47.9M payroll (vs Angels 119.2M):
http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article_perspectives.jsp?ymd=20080508&content_id=2666469&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp

[Edited on May 9, 2008 at 7:54 PM. Reason : beane]

5/9/2008 7:43:04 PM

damnit oakland... 3 UNearned runs last night to blow it against the Rays.

5/21/2008 1:36:39 PM

sweep of BoSox is nothing to trifle with...

Maybe they worked the kinks out?
gotta admit -ya didnt think this team would look this good and they still don't on paper...

5/26/2008 2:15:39 PM

won 5 straight.... only thing is that the angels arent losing either

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3413940
ESPN salute to Frank Thomas

5/28/2008 6:19:00 PM

good chance he's headed to the DL tho

5/28/2008 6:20:35 PM

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080528&content_id=2789507&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

you may be right.... At least we have another proven DH in Sweeney to fill in...

5/28/2008 9:51:45 PM

call up landon powell so he can take suzuki's job

5/29/2008 11:34:54 AM

geez. another crappy offensive effort against the Jays.

If this team could put up one or two more runs per game, they would be playoff bound for sure...
Until that happens, I just don't see us getting past the halos

5/29/2008 1:29:32 PM

^ After watching the A's a lot this season, I'd have a very simple game plan against them if I were the opposition's pitcher. First, I'd throw first pitch strikes to every batter. The A's are known for taking pitches, and usually everyone takes a strike before they start to swing away. Second, I'd throw more strikes against the A's than the average team. 4 of the 9 batters are absolutely no threat to hit homeruns, 2 more only have warning track power, and then you have guys like Cust, and Sweeney who are going to hit for power if throw it down the middle, otherwise they strike out. I always laugh when I see Ellis, Hanahhan, Barton etc getting walked. Go after them all night, and you're going to give up no more than 4 runs and be alittel more careful with Cust, Sweeney and Crosby. Problem is that the A's pitching staff is pretty good and don't always give up 4 runs, just a shame there's not a big bat to mix in this lineup to drive in these walks, could run away with the AL West.

5/29/2008 2:47:24 PM

Walk-off single vs the Tigers last night

[Edited on June 3, 2008 at 11:15 AM. Reason : 1]

6/3/2008 11:14:38 AM

The Angels having 4 walk offs in 6 games really hurt last week, Chaves bat warming up would be huge for everyone. And it is about time Barton steps up and becomes anther Billy Beane work of art.

6/3/2008 3:21:20 PM

Looking at the bigger picture, this team is still over-achieving nicely. The Angels pitching wasnt supposed to be as good as it is, but then again their hitting is supposed to be better than it has been. Their RS vs. RA ratio is not great at all, but they win so many close games it has put them 10 games above .500 already....

Bottomline: The season is far from over and anything can happen. We need to quit getting beat by the damn Rangers and start beating the Angels. If we handle our own division games then we should see the post season. If not, then we still look damn good for years to come with these kids...

What happened to the annoying Mariners fans anyways??? Talk about pitiful....

6/3/2008 6:38:15 PM

Eveland had another meltdown today before Zeigler got us out of that inning. I think Gaudin should grab his slot in the rotation until he regains some control... He's still a great young pitcher...

6/3/2008 11:39:36 PM

ttt



Lookin better after that Bay series sweep. 3.5 out of the west lead and only 2 out of the wild card...
Casilla returns this week - Devine and BigHurt are only a week or so away themselves...

Gonna be a very telling series against Arizona seeing Webb & Haren back to back!

[Edited on June 16, 2008 at 3:21 PM. Reason : pic]

6/16/2008 3:16:58 PM

Not really taking anything away from sweeping the Giants, they have the worst home record in baseball. The bats are going to need to produce, Harden was on fire on Friday.

Quote :

"you bitches are going down and the M's are taking the division lead"

this was a gem worth revisiting.

[Edited on June 16, 2008 at 5:45 PM. Reason : .]

6/16/2008 5:42:18 PM