A's Gameday Thread

[HaloMagic]

Despite the win, the A's really don't have the same swagger they did when Cespedes was in the lineup.

You don't think Cobb had something to do with that?

[bloodbrother]

Well, to be fair, it was surprising Moss didn't hit a grandslam.

 

If he was facing the Angels it would have been a lock

[Chase]

You don't think Cobb had something to do with that?

Nope. 

[martinpa25]

Why was Escobar playing the the left side so much...damn you stupid fish with tails

[The God of Runs]

Excuse me, I gotta go to the restroom and take a Grant Balfour

[Halos of Anaheim]

You don't think Cobb had something to do with that?

They've played other games than today without Cespedes you know. He's right, I've caught a few innings of the A's lineup since the trade and pitchers seem more confident in facing the middle of their lineup.

Edited August 5, 2014 by Halos of Anaheim

[Chuck]

**** the A's. We'll get them.

[Guest]

I think I hate the Rays more than the A's. I can finally see why Balfour was treated like garbage this offseason 

[HaloMagic]

They've played other games than today without Cespedes you know. He's right, I've caught a few innings of the A's lineup since the trade and pitchers seem more confident in facing the middle of their lineup.

Fair enough. The thing with the A's is probably more so than any other team they can win without anything coming from their middle of the order. If we think Moss and Donaldson are going to slump for the rest of the season then we're just setting ourselves up. Guess we'll see how it plays out, though.

[AngelsFanForever]

I totally agree about the comment on the A's lineup without Cespedes. Guys like Moss are expected to be the 4 hitter in that lineup and it's not happening. Cespedes gave them swagger. When that trade went down I was surprised more analysts weren't saying the loss of Cespedes would be difficult on that lineup.

[OregonLAA]

Nice for the A's to get that extra out in the 10th. The tying single and the game winner were shitty ground balls that found holes. Lame but oh well. The Angels will keep winning and we'll be fine. We got this

[Chuck]

BTW, the umps in this game can eat a dick.

[HaloMagic]

I totally agree about the comment on the A's lineup without Cespedes. Guys like Moss are expected to be the 4 hitter in that lineup and it's not happening. Cespedes gave them swagger. When that trade went down I was surprised more analysts weren't saying the loss of Cespedes would be difficult on that lineup.

Cespedes mostly hit 3rd or 5th. Moss mostly hits 4th.

Edited August 5, 2014 by HaloMagic

[AngelsFanForever]

Moss actually hit 7th against lefties for the most part. The 3 hitter is maybe more critical than the 4 hitter IMO.

[OregonLAA]

A's announcer "I don't think he went" (on Donaldson's check swing)

Come on, dude. I know you're and A's guy, but don't be an assclown

[mancini79]

In the 10th:

Jaso's 4th called ball was a strike 3

Donaldson's check swing was the third strike, but called a ball

Donaldson hit the ball in foul territory and the Rays screwed themselves by letting it drop

 

That's 3 outs given away. Can't expect to get through the inning.

[mancini79]

A's announcer "I don't think he went" (on Donaldson's check swing)

Come on, dude. I know you're and A's guy, but don't be an assclown

 

On the 2nd replay showing the top view, they agreed he went.

[AngelsFanForever]

My point is that it was a gamble to add a top pitcher while giving up a critical part of your batting order. Could go either way, but I see it hurting the A's down the road.

[Docwaukee]

I think the A's are definitely looking over their shoulder

[HaloMagic]

Moss actually hit 7th against lefties for the most part. The 3 hitter is maybe more critical than the 4 hitter IMO.

Less than 6% of Moss' plate appearances have been hitting 7th. I don't know how much of that 6% came vs. a LHP but with a number so small it seems sort of irrelevant. Plus, the only time the A's faced a lefty starter since that trade Moss sat and it was a blowout for the A's. And I agree that the 3rd hitter is more important than the 4th but Cespedes has only hit there about 1/3 of his at bats so it's not like he was providing some sort of stability to that spot. Plus he was only there because Donaldson stopped hitting. And Cespedes had a .735 OPS in tht spot (his lowest of any spot in the order) so he wasn't flourishing in the role. He was just better than Donaldson. Or expected to be, at least.

Edited August 5, 2014 by HaloMagic

[Halos of Anaheim]

Fair enough. The thing with the A's is probably more so than any other team they can win without anything coming from their middle of the order. If we think Moss and Donaldson are going to slump for the rest of the season then we're just setting ourselves up. Guess we'll see how it plays out, though.

That's true. I'm certainly not expecting the A's offense to just drop into mediocrity, but the loss of a guy who has semi-star power/charisma/grit (I know, it's nothing cold hard analytic, but it means something) can make a pitchers job easier as the game goes on and pressure rises. Then add in the fact that other guys are expected to step up after him, and the guy stepping up leaves a spot for the next guy to come in and do the same, etc definitely adds up to making a difference.

 

I honestly think our offense is better than theirs, and this move just made that belief even truer. The Angels jobs are going to be are much easier in grabbing that #1 runs scored place by the end of the year.

Edited August 5, 2014 by Halos of Anaheim

[Lou]

DW is a jerk. We should ban him.

(he's the only A's fan here so he gets all of our hatred)

[Season Over]

Would have been nice for Tampa to steal this one considering we're facing Kershaw tomorrow.  Oh well.

[HaloMagic]

DW is a jerk. We should ban him.

(he's the only A's fan here so he gets all of our hatred)

What happened to BashBrothers/Cespedes?

[Angel Oracle]

If not for Doolittle's clutch play on the squeeze play, we are likely tied for first.

DW, do you think Donaldson truly held his swing on the 2-2 count in the 10th? I have rarely seen Maddon go that ballistic.