LAA Road Tripper

This is the reason I don't believe that the NFL is serious about putting a franchise in London. Aside from the logistical challenges (which, by the way are really deal breakers when you examine them), I don't believe the NFL would be a rousing success in the UK. Would they make money? Sure. But that's not good enough for them. It would have to be overwhelming and the NFL knows that it wouldn't be. But there's value in making it appear they may plant a team there without any commitment. To DR's point, they're a great marketing engine first and foremost.

I'm real curious about the timeframe for Richards' return. I've been encouraged from the start that his injury wasn't arm or shoulder-related and that it's his landing leg rather than the leg he pushes off of. But I haven't heard any updates. Anyone know?

A good pitching coach preaches keeping the hitters off balance. Keep 'em guessing. In fact, that's one of the reasons we're told that Kershaw got lit up last night and in the NLCS last year was that the Cardinals were tipped off. Could be. Makes sense anyway why a dominant pitcher can look less than ordinary. But there's the hitting side of this as well that I just don't understand when you observe Trout's approach. Mike is immensely talented but one of the things he was praised for so much in his first two full years was his ability to adjust. Now? Completely predictable. Pitchers aren't uncomfortable. Throw the first pitch anywhere in the zone for strike one. Throw a fastball up in the zone that Trout can't catch up to in which he either swings through it or fouls it off for strike two. And there's Mike's starting point. This is post-ASB 2014 Mike Trout. Sure, his talent still enables him to do something special now and again but that's where he begins. 0-2 way, way too often. And until pitchers are wary enough to think that he'll jump on a first-pitch meatball every so often, this is going to continue. Mike will have lots to think about over the winter. I believe we'll see a different, more 2013-like Mike Trout next year. If not, expect declining numbers across the board.

Another concern as if we need one: This team has played very few close games over the final few weeks. Either a big win or a big loss. A late or walk-off win would do more than just even the series. It might wake them up, too.

This is really just KC's revenge for the A's up and leaving their city. Been saving it up for 47 years for an opportune time like tonight.

Although they both make me nervous, when Hector is on it breeds a little more confidence in me. Not sure why but it seems he can be locked in a little longer. Whenever CJ excels it's like an unexpected pleasant surprise like a $500 refund check in my mailbox. Great and all but I'm not thinking another one's coming tomorrow.

I'm too lazy to do it but I'd love to see the offensive splits home and away for the Orioles. Not that they aren't a solid hitting team but Camden Yards is the bandbox of bandboxes.

21. Translation: Long way to go.

That's all probably true but it's out of the team's control. Again, just win. Let everything in the background take care of itself. I scoreboard watch as much as anyone and I can only take satisfaction in knowing how A's and M's fans see a Weaver or Shoe throwing a shutout in the 6th after the Angels toss up a 5 spot in the top of the inning thinking, "man, the Angels get all the breaks. Will they ever lose again?" Fun being on the other side of that.

Tell you what, how about the Angels just keep playing good ball and winning? A few of you gave mentioned 1995. Been there. And I've been there for the playoffs in '82 and '86. We can play mathematical games all day long but as quick as Oakland fans saw their team go from one game back to five is as quick as we can see it, too. OGAAT.

Still can't believe that Hamilton has gone an entire season without hitting a home run at home. I mean, blind squirrel...

Pretty moot, though. Even if it wasn't considered a judgment call, no way they uphold it after the Angels failed to score that inning. The bar is pretty high to win a protest and not scoring that inning chops the argument off at the knees.

Doesn't matter now. If they do end up winning, at least the protest won't be hanging over their heads.

Without getting ahead of ourselves, and I hate to say it, but I could really see a protest possibly being upheld. Otero was in the baseline but the rule allows that to field the ball. It's up to Aybar to avoid him and he's allowed to if the fielder hasn't yet fielded the ball. And he's the one that Aybar ran into, after he had it. The only thing I can think of is that the 1B blocked him even though Eric never touched him. That might be the ruling.

I really don't think so. It's his leg and his landing leg, at that. No arm structure issue. I'd bet he returns strong.

Dude is absolute nails. Shoemaker is the new GRich, looking very number 1ish. We only need a new Shoe now to right the rotation.

Even if Colon did fall all the way it probably doesn't make sense to claim him at that point. Since no other team would be in line after the Angels, he'd be available in a trade anyway without the possibility the Mets just dropping the whole contract in Dipoto's lap. Of course, another team could jump in on a trade though.

This is the Weaver we need to see. Getting ahead of hitters, keeping his pitch count relatively low. Looks like vintage '09-'12 Jered.

First pitch swinging. Not what I wanted to see there from Ianetta. A few more pitches and Kershaw could have been out after 7.

Only when they're playing the Knicks. They play their home games at Barclays Center....in Brooklyn.

Glad to see Richards gain his command back. I was displeased in the second but he looks pretty good now. Sign of maturity.

Not sure but I'm thinking Longoria did that on his own.

The A's appear to be clear cut World Series favorites now. Maybe I'm just grasping at straws but Oakland tends to do better when they sneak up on everyone. No chance of that anymore. On second thought, no maybe about it. Just trying to find anything here.

I went with Calhoun for both, just edging out Aybar on the player poll. But I gotta say, I'm loving what Navarro has been doing at the plate lately. No pop but if I need a key hit, I'm confident with him coming up. Cool humble dude, too.

If the Astros were a stock, I'd be loading up on them now.