Oakland A's 2015 Season Thread

[Isaiah4110]

Vogt's injury looked... painful. I hope he comes back alright from that one. There were some interesting bit in the extension announcement, like Beane admitting Melvin didn't have enough talent to work with this year and pointing out that we only have one pitcher (Gray) in the starting rotation right now who we planned to have there at the start of the season.

 

[ratenstein]

Damn it.
Well, the A's are now assured of a losing record for the season after losing 8 of 12 to the AL west and 2 of 3 to Texas. The injuries and accompanying pitching woes helped sink the season, but the bright spot has been seeing so many new guys coming up this year, and there's a shot that Canha or Burns will be leading in just about every major category for team offense by the end of the season. Hopefully Burns is back for this series with Chicago.

 

[ratenstein]

I have to admit, it was nice to see Samardzija get bombed like that.

Tough break for Chavez though.

 

[ratenstein]

but it paves the way for Zito time.

 

[Isaiah4110]

Cody Martin gets the start today in Zito's place. No indication yet of Zito's expected role with the A's.

That said, Tim Hudson is making the last start of his career (he's expected to retire at the end of the season) for the Giants when they play us in Oakland on September 26th. Some have speculated that a Hudson-Zito matchup would be quite the spectacle.

 

[ratenstein]

Yeah, I read an article about that on ESPN a while back when Beane was saying it wasn't going to happen. But that was before Chavez went down. I hope we get a Hudson-Zito game.


Only 15 games left now!

 

[Isaiah4110]

A new day means new updates. Looks like they plan to use Zito out of the bullpen (he hasn't started a game in a month and a half), so a Hudson-Zito matchup is highly unlikely. I don't think there is even any way they could even get him stretched out enough to pitch 4 innings in the next two weeks. Of course there is always the chance they treat this like a spring training or rehab game and start Zito with every intention of pulling him out of the game after the first inning in favor of the "real" starter.

This does give the A's a chance to give Zito a proper send off though, and Mulder is supposed to be in the stands that day as well. If the A's have room on the 40-man roster I think it would be cool if they signed Mulder to a 1-day or 1-week contract so he can be in the dugout and retire with the A's.

 

[Isaiah4110]

Yuck. I guess I'm pulling for the Astros by default. I hate the Angels most though. Seeing them get to Gray sucked big time.

I think I'm actually kinda partial towards Texas. Wouldn't mind seeing them pull down the title even.

 

[ratenstein]

Nah, I can't do it.
I can't root for any other team in the AL West. I'm only marginally pulling for Houston because I've built the least amount of hate for them over the past couple of years.
I guess I'd go with the Blue Jays overall. My hate for the Royals,W.Sox and Twins diminishes as the years pass as well. I'll only pull for the Rangers if it somehow comes down to between them and LAA or NYY.

 

[ratenstein]

A new day means new updates. Looks like they plan to use Zito out of the bullpen (he hasn't started a game in a month and a half), so a Hudson-Zito matchup is highly unlikely. I don't think there is even any way they could even get him stretched out enough to pitch 4 innings in the next two weeks. Of course there is always the chance they treat this like a spring training or rehab game and start Zito with every intention of pulling him out of the game after the first inning in favor of the "real" starter.

This does give the A's a chance to give Zito a proper send off though, and Mulder is supposed to be in the stands that day as well. If the A's have room on the 40-man roster I think it would be cool if they signed Mulder to a 1-day or 1-week contract so he can be in the dugout and retire with the A's.

Ah well, he got some action in here in game 3. crazy game for Houston too since they scored all their runs on HRs.

 

[ratenstein]

Yikes! The A's are swept and help Texas build their lead in the AL West. Pretty crappy overall... had 6 Errors, got outscored 26-10. At least Venditte had a couple of good appearances.

Up next the A's close out their home games for the year against SF.

 

[Isaiah4110]

And the long-awaited Zito-Hudson matchup. I believe they are actually intending to start Zito on Saturday.

 

[ratenstein]

Hahaha well, the match-up didn't last long. Cool for the fans that they tried it though.

 

[Isaiah4110]

Hearing Mulder in the booth the next day was probably just as cool.

 

[ratenstein]

Yeah, even if it was mostly a marketing stunt, still a cool gesture.
Although with Gray down for the remainder, it looks like we get Zito time once more.

Have I mentioned how much I hate the Angels? It would be nice to be more than a speedbump and actually help de-rail those a-holes.

 

[ratenstein]

Puke.
One last chance now.
Come on guys!!!!

 

[ratenstein]

Ok, they salvaged one win.
See ya Barry.
That's almost it folks. Just one last series against Seattle.

 

[Isaiah4110]

From what I hear Zito was actually decent in the game as well. I'm really glad he got one more chance to pitch, and had a better game, for us.

 

[ratenstein]

Yeah, I have to update my see ya Barry. I'll include a see ya to Hudson and Dan Haren as well now too.

 

[ratenstein]

The A's go out taking 2 of 3 from Seattle but losing the last one on a shot by former A's player Seth Smith.

It was a rough season, but filled with some promising newcomers who Beane hopefully won't trade for a handful of magic crapola.

On the plus side, at least the Angels failed at the end.

Ok folks, that's all she wrote.
Rat out.