Flipping the Remote this Saturday:
(Remember when kids used to sleep in on Saturday's, wake-up and consume a buffet of breakfast cereal, and watch Scooby Doo ad nauseam? Boy have times changed--now it 's youth sports all day and video games? What ever happened to kids simply playing pick up games? We have become an uber-scheduled little society haven't we. My question simply, is it worth it?)
Here it is September 7, and the Green and Gold sit on top of the Western Division by a mere one-half of a game. The last two nights the A's have split a pair of games with those scrappy Houston Astros. The A's had their own little version of torture last night. While closer Grant Balfour scuffled in the ninth, an error by second basemen Eric Sogard help open the door, and before you could wonder just what the heck Ray Fosse was saying, the Astros would have the go-ahead run at the plate. A nice play by Brandon Moss, was followed by a Balfour punch out, and it was all good in Oakland. The last two seasons Balfour has pitched a ton of what baseball parlance calls "high stress innings." I wonder if is arm not a little "dead" right about now? Enter Brett Anderson. His fresh arm may be the deal maker--or breaker as it were. I envision the oft-injured lefty, eventually having to finish a game in the near future. As I mentioned before, Anderson needs to pitch in September and October like Lincecum did for the Giants in the 2012 postseason. In fact, I can envision Anderson pitching in just about every scenario. As I paid for my potential World Series Tickets yesterday, I am pulling for Anderson be lights out, and for Balfour to replenish the Lightening in his right arm!
Josh Donaldson continues to put the team on his back-my feeling is the guy is willing to do much, but he is having one heck of a season. Last night he steals 3rd at a critical juncture in the game, then for good measure blasts home run #21 for good measure. With the blast, Donaldson now has 82 rbi's, and if weren't for a cold stretch out of the All-Star break, (0 rbi's in 17 games), the Auburn alum may have nosed in the MVP race.
The AL West Champion will literally go through Anaheim and Texas, as both teams will play the A's and Rangers many times down the stretch. The Astros look they have assembled a group of good, young, athletic, hitters. If they find some pitching in the off season, they may not be the Lastros for long. The Mariners have given the A's fits in recent years, and with a healthy King Felix, Seattle may indeed prove sleepless! If the Angels can just get their act together and beat everyone not wearing Green or Yellow jerseys, (pleaseeeee) then, things will be all good! The Rangers have the luxury of finishing the season at home against Seattle and Anaheim, however games with Pittsburgh and Tampa may be the season turning games. Of course, there is a pivotal match-up in Arlington next weekend between the A's and Rangers.
If "splits" are how you roll, check these out. Today's starter Dan Strailey is lights out during the day. When the sun is out, the righty has an ERA under 3, and batters facing him are hitting under .200 during the day. When the lights are on, Strailey's numbers scary, as his ERA sits up over 5, and batters are hitting just about .70 points better. Pitch him in the day BoMel, pitch him in the day!
*Way back when Eric Chavez, was a slick-fielding, gold glove third basemen for the A's. Then he got paid, then he hurt his back, then last night he delivers a back-breaker. Giants starter Yusmeiro Petit was ever so close to that all majical perfect game when Chavez singled just in front of--and I mean like 30 inches--in front of diving right fielder Hunter Pence. I don't recall one athlete letting down so many people on both sides of the bay! This morning, I raise my mug of my wife's killer coffee to you Yusmeiro! You could almost hear the collective minds saying, oohh, if we have this guy next year with Cain and Madison, the good times will return. Well, let's hope so Gigos, let's hope so!
*Today one of those rare days when a person can actually catch a game in Oakland, then SF on the same day. Next season, no if's and or buts, I am going to do it! Any sponsors out there!
*Women's Final on Sunday, Men's on Monday in Flushing. Serena loves NYC, and I would say she will be hoisting another major trophy on Sunday Night!
*Time to "hit somebody!" Football aficionados are happy as clams this weekend. The Irish are at Michigan--love the bands, the team colors, the Big House. The two teams won't be playing for a few years after tonight's game, and well, to me, that's a little sad. USC fans, the Trojans hosting Washington State this evening at 7:30 p.m. PST. Start the caffeine drip early you Trojan East Coast Alums (some of my favorite people by the way!) Are the San Jose Spartans riding the Upset Express when they travel to Palo Alto this evening?
*Speaking of the East Coast, the Red Sox have ripped the hearts right out of the throats of the Yankees with two monster consecutive come from behind wins. The pin stripes my just by up every potential reliever. (Quick, hide Timmy and Balfour!) It's looks like the AL pennant running through Boston or Detroit.
*Super Bowl Prediction: I see a come from the packer emerging in the AFC. I am not buying the Broncos as Manning a boy from Tennessee, and he is not knows for his cold weather games. Someone like Cincinnati perhaps. The NFC is big boy football, and it would sure be hard to bet against the Niners. I know everyone loves Seattle, but I just don't know. The Niners are one hit away from serious trouble, with no Alex as plan B. So, I am going with Killer B Super Bowl, Bengals and Buccaneers.
*Speaking of Killer B's, Happy Birthday to my man in the Delta today (that's Sacramento River Delta, just south of Sacramento, just East of the Bay Area. The home of cool, evening breezes!), the one, the only, The Flave!
Enjoy your Saturday People!
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