TroutCron

Here is a novel idea. DON 'T PITCH TO HIM. There is no one hitting behind him.

Now we have Hamilton hitting fourth....not as bad as Ibanez but certainly not a cleanup hitter.

Props to JP for building such a strong pen. Only Jepsen was there in 2013. It was a high price to pay for Street but he has stabilized the back end of the pen and been lights out. We still need for the starters to pitch deeper into the game to save the arms.

Bingo. Send Herrera down and bring up Roth. If Easmus can only go 2-3 Roth can throw 3-5 without burning through the pen. On another topic I would like to thank Billy Beane for trading Cespedes. The A 's offense has sputtered ever since.

This comes down to Arte not wanting to exceed the luxury tax limit next season. With 170 mil. Already committed for 2015, Con's 11mil would necessitate trading Aybar or Howie. I wouldn't do that.

We have seen how CJ has pitched in the post season, therefore I would start Weaver, then Santiago and Shoemaker. Depending in how the series goes use CJ in game four, that leaves the best of the rotation for the last three. Shoemaker would be the best bet in a game seven.

Wolf is not on the 40 man roster. Why release a guy just to let another LeBlanc lose another game? Rasmus can probably go 4-5 innings, Salas can go 2, then the backend of the pen can take over. Please no more soft tossing lefties.

Rasmus or Salas would be a better choice than Roth or Wolf and whatever other stiff is down there.

Great analysis. You can't pay Colon's salary plus the 11mil. for next season, just for six starts. Keep looking JD.

Going back to the well again in trading with Arizona. Cahill is barely a fifth starter. If he got 6 starts the rest of the way hope he can win at least 2 of them. Wolf or Roth against the A's is a scary proposition.

LeBlanc 3 2/3 IP 8 H 5ER 2BB 2K

The injury to Grant Green was a big loss. He is a better hotter than anyone who has DH'd the past month. There would be no need to have Beckham. Th DH spot has been a major disappointment. It affords the opportunity to a add a bat to the lineup, but aside from a hot run by Cron , the Halos haven 't taken advantage. Of course they have Albert and Hamilton are the DH in waiting for next season.

With this offense they will have a hard time with any team. The only time they have clicked was in June. This post ASG slump is no abberation, it is very real. Thankful for the solid pitching. It is asking a lot for the staff to hold the opposition to 1 or 2 runs every game.

The between innings stuff is for television. The amount of money paid to MLB teams for TV rights would preclude any changes there. Some things I would like to see: The manager should make a pitching change from the dugout. No more slow walks out to the mound. The catcher should only be allowed out to the mound for a pitching change. Three warmup pitches for relievers is enough. After a hitter enters the box he should have to stay there for the entire at bat. Give the pitcher 15 seconds to throw the next pitch. A violation would be a ball. Three violations result in an ejection. Maybe the umpires can use the same strike zone. This would Save a lot of time.

Selig and MLB don't want to get involved in litigation. As long as the A's don't challenge the Giants and MLB in court they are *ucked.

This looks like a salary dump by the White Sox. I wouldn't read much in to it. He can be a decent utility guy but nothing else. Green is much better. I don't expect to give up anything of value for him, certainly not a Rondon.

23-14 in one run games indicates a team that battles, gets solid bullpen work and play solid defense. This team has grit and guys who have stepped up this season like Kole, Jeppy and especially Jerry Dipoto. Though they gave up a whole lot of Rondons for Street that trade has been the difference. The solidified bullpen has been extraordinary.

Hamilton 0-4 2 Ks

It hasn't 't happened in 1and 3/4 seasons so don't expect it. The key is Trout. If Mike is slumping the offense has little chance.

It is painfully obvious, but as Trout goes so goes the Angels. Until Mike gets it going the offense will remain offensive.

Trout BB 2K

Not boring-I get a kick out of watching that windup.

What I see is a guy who lacks passion got the game. He never seems to be upset with his at bats. He gives off the impression that he doesn't care. He is difficult to watch. When will Sosh move him out of the cleanup spot?

Hamilton has to decide if playing baseball is. Fun anymore. He just looks like a guy who would rather be anywhere but in the barter's box. He is emotionless. He might be on antidepressants. There just seems to be no fire in the gut.