So, this idea just hit me on the way home from work... I'm going to try and do semi-running blogs for every A's game I watch this year, with random thoughts and comments along the way. Figured it would be interesting to look back on at the end of the year. In years past I have kept hand score for every game, but I'm ditching the pen and scorebook this year for the keyboard. We'll see how it turns out... kinda tough doing this from the east coast but I consider myself an uberfan, I watch every game as it is, so this will at least keep me awake... Hopefully their season isn't over by Mid-June with all of the vets traded away, and the roster looking like AAA's Sacramento like last year.
Some big questions heading into the year: #1 - Will the A's young super in-experienced pitching staff (with 2 guys who have never thrown a major league inning - Cahill & Anderson) be able to keep the team in enough games? #2 - How much will the new bats (Holliday, Giambi - welcome back, Cabrera, Nomar) improve the dismal run production from last year? and #3 - Will they end up setting another team record for DL use for the 2nd year in a row? Beane has put together an interesting lineup, thats for sure. We'll see how it pans out... opening pitch on ESPN coming right up!
Oh yes, how about some predictions... W-L Record: 83-79. BA Leader: Holliday. HR: Holliday. RBI: Giambi. Breakout Season: Sweeney. Cust K Total: 312. Cust Dropped Routine Fly Balls: 2. Comeback Player: Buck. W: Anderson. L: Eveland. ERA: Cahill. K: Anderson. Rookie of the Year in AL: Anderson. Team DL Usage: 22 Times. Times an Announcer Will Mention Something About if Holliday Can Hit Outside Colorado: 1039. Think that sums everything up... on to Game #1!
A's @ Angels
9:09 First Pitch - Braden (0-0) vs. Saunders (0-0)
9:07 - Interesting lineup to start the year (lefty on the mound). Nomar hitting 5th playing 1B, Cust gets the start in RF hitting 8th. Other than that, everyone in what appears to be what will be their most often spots in the order. (Sweeney CF, Cabrera SS, Giambi DH, Holliday LF, Nomar 1B, Chavez 3B, Suzuki C, Cust RF, Ellis 2B).
9:09 - Aybar faceplants into the tarp going after foul from Sweeney. Can't get enough of that.
9:10 - Sweeney K's to start the year... bad omen.
9:11 - O-Cab steps in. Wasn't huge on this signing but we'll see how he pans out. Still a Crosby fan, even though most of the Oakland fanbase has given up on him.
9:13 - 1, 2, 3.
9:16 - Braden toes the rubber. Don't think he's going to last too long up here... would rather see Gallagher in the rotation instead of the bullpen.
9:19 - Just realized Nomar is wearing #1. Heh, don't recall who has worn or currently wears that number. Kind-of rare. Odd. Not sure if I like that Ramon.
9:22 - Vlad vs Braden. This matchup scares the hell out of me. Phew - easy tapper back to the mound. End of 1: 0-0-0 | 0-1-0
9:23 - NCAA Hoops Championship game starts. UNC is gonna trash MSU.
9:25 - First look at Holliday. At first I wasn't a fan of this trade as I liked Street and Gonzalez, but I after gathering my thoughts, definitely a good move. They'll make out any way this turns out. And... Singles in first A's AB.
9:29 - Nomar flies out in first AB. Chavvy's up - please stay healthy this year buddy. Nice - solid liner to CF.
9:32 - Great, Suzuki hits into 643 DP.
9:37 - Easy 1, 2, 3 for Braden. End of 2: 0-2-0 | 0-1-0
9:45 - Nice D Kendrick! DP turns into 1st n 2nd, 1 out.
9:45 - Annndd next pitch, double steal attempt - like the idea, pleasant surprise - but Ellis out at 3b. OCab pops out and there goes that.
9:53 - Random note: My most disliked person in baseball - Mike Scioscia. Most disliked player: John Lackey.
9:54 - Braden does have a good pickoff move, I'll give him that.
10:01 - Doesn't mean he can pitch worth a damn. Mathis Single, Figgins Walk, Kendrick Single. 0-1.
10:04 - Ugh. Nomar can't field a 2 bounce throw from OCab. 0-2
10:08 - A's have lost their last 4 opening day's and looking to continue that trend. End of 3: 0-2-0 | 2-4-1
10:16 - Chavez smokes one to Hunters glove at the wall in center. No dice in attempt to tie it up at 2.
10:24 - That's the Chavvy I know at 3B. End of 4: 0-2-0 | 2-5-1
10:38 - Kendrick HR. I'm not sure I've ever been impressed with a Braden start besides his ML Debut vs. the Orioles. Vlad single, Hunter single. It's about time to pull the plug on this operation. 0-3.
10:43 - Gets out of trouble. End of 5: 0-2-0 | 3-8-1
10:45 - Hey, look it's an extra base hit.
10:52 - Horrible base running: check. Runners left on base: check. Same story, new year.
10:54 - Why is Braden still in this game?
10:55 - Oh, leadoff double.
10:57 - Damn, Holliday with some D - nice sliding grab.
10:59 - Escapes again. End of 6: 0-3-0 | 3-9-1
11:01 - Chavez hits another to the wall... Seems like the ball is carrying as if this game is being played in Oakland.
11:04 - Saunders out. Arredondo in w/ 2 outs.
11:05 - Break in the action - NCAA Hoops. UNC up 20. Hmm didnt see this coming.......... not.
11:07 - Eating stale popcorn... like a boss.
11:08 - '09 Cust K counter: 1
11:13 - Braden Out. Wuertz In. Geren is apparently playing every offseason acquisition tonight.
11:17 - Quick Inning. End of 7: 0-3-0 | 3-9-1
11:20 - Arredondo Out. Scot with 1 T Shields In.
11:23 - Pathetic and embarassing offensive effort.
11:25 - Wuertz Out. Bailey In (MLB Debut).
11:30 - Great debut. 1, 2, 3. End of 8: 0-3-0 | 3-9-1
11:32 - Shields Out. New Angel to dislike Fuentes In. 3-4-5 coming up...
11:33 - Mmmm Del Taco - I miss thee. Is there anybody even at this game?? Angels fans suck. Seriously, maybe the most fairweather, muted, and demure fans in the league. I've been to my fair share of Angels games and the fans always dissapoint.
11:36 - Holliday Hitting Outside Colorado Counter: 5
11:37 - Blah. Game over. Horrible.
Final: 0-3-0 | 3-9-1
Time of Game: 2:29
Awesome start to the season boys!!! AIRHORN. Nothing more to say about this, hopefully I don't have to sit through many more games like this. 3 Hits, c'mon. Last year's offense looked better than this. Back at it tomorrow night... 161 games to go.
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