Games 159-162: Last Train ← FREE KRAUT!

Games 159-162: Last Train 135

The “A” Train is huffing and puffing and chugging to the finish line.

Scheduled pitchers subject to change, especially if the Mariners are eliminated. The magic number to knock them out fell to 2 with the Orioles’ win tonight.

Tonight at 7:10: Graveman
Friday at 7:10: Alcantara (psst…Furd @ UDub right across town is pretty compelling, kickoff a little after 6 p.m.)
Saturday at 6:10: Cotton
Sunday at 12:10: Manaea, vs. Felix at least if the M’s are still alive. All games start around the same time on Sunday.

135 thoughts on “Games 159-162: Last Train

  1. ptbnl Sep 29,2016 7:13 pm

    Also, FK the Giants.

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • sslinger Sep 29,2016 8:17 pm || Up

      Apparently that’s how the umpiring crew in St. Louis feel too. Crazy finish there.

      And also a crazy ending in the hockey WC.

  2. Future Ed Sep 29,2016 7:59 pm

    i don’t like the start time the same. I don’t think it would be too much to just change the times of some important games

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Glorious Mundy Oct 2,2016 12:23 pm || Up

      It’s pretty silly. It makes sense in international soccer tournaments for reasons not present in baseball:

      1. The games all take approximately the same time to play
      2. There are almost always interlocking implications from the final matches of the groups
      3. Playing second and knowing what you need to do is huge because scoring differential is a tie-breaker

      All coordinating baseball start times does is schedule games at inconvenient times for fans.

      • elcroata Oct 2,2016 12:43 pm || Up

        It’s very convenient for me

        Because survival is insufficient
      • Future Ed Oct 2,2016 1:24 pm || Up

        there are 4 games that matter, and they don’t even matter that much

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • andeux Oct 2,2016 1:31 pm || Up

          Five games could affect who gets a wild card, and one more could make a difference for first-round home field advantage.
          It’s looking pretty anti-climactic, though. SF’s big lead makes STL irrelevant. And the Tigers are behind Atlanta 1-0. Do they still need to make up their game with Cleveland if the Tigers are out of it but Cleveland and Boston end up half a game apart?

          TINSTAAFK
      • dmoas Oct 3,2016 11:36 am || Up

        I don’t see anything about the afternoon start time that makes it inconvenient for fans.

        • Glorious Mundy Oct 3,2016 11:47 am || Up

          Not inconvenient for us, but it makes the east coast games start later than is ideal on a Sunday.

          • dmoas Oct 3,2016 12:48 pm || Up

            3 or 4tish on Sunday isn’t that big a deal. You’re still over and home by 7 or 8.

            • Glorious Mundy Oct 3,2016 12:56 pm || Up

              I said it was a big deal, did I?

              • Future Ed Oct 3,2016 3:10 pm || Up

                3 PM start is terrible. right in the middle of the day.

                I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • dmoas Oct 3,2016 8:38 pm || Up

                Just in terms of inconvenience.

  3. andeux Sep 29,2016 8:15 pm

    Does it go to Clarksville?

    TINSTAAFK
    • Future Ed Sep 29,2016 8:19 pm || Up

      don’t be slow

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Future Ed Sep 29,2016 8:23 pm || Up

      16 coaches long?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • andeux Sep 29,2016 8:25 pm || Up

        Natchez?

        TINSTAAFK
        • Future Ed Sep 29,2016 8:35 pm || Up

          i had completely forgotten about the movie

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Soaker Sep 29,2016 8:32 pm || Up

        If I had to pick one train song, it would probably have 15 cars and 15 restless riders. Driving a train while high on cocaine is obviously up there too.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • FreeSeatUpgrade Sep 29,2016 8:52 pm || Up

          I was singing I Don’t Want A Pickle just a few hours ago.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Soaker Sep 29,2016 8:23 pm || Up

      Yuck. If anything, it goes Home.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • Soaker Sep 29,2016 8:25 pm || Up

        Unlike any of the A’s thus far tonight.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • FreeSeatUpgrade Sep 29,2016 8:54 pm || Up

          It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  4. Soaker Sep 29,2016 8:39 pm

    YOU CAN HANG A CHAD ON THAT ONE

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  5. Soaker Sep 29,2016 9:05 pm

    I was sure our outfielders were going to screw that one up. They couldn’t leave Graveman in for a shot at a win but at least he won’t lose either.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  6. Soaker Sep 29,2016 9:15 pm

    Didn’t think Muncy would actually get a run in from third with less than two out, but was hopeful of a K or a popup or something.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  7. Soaker Sep 29,2016 9:48 pm

    After that KC-Texas road trip the possibility of duplicating last year’s 68-94 seemed remote because it required the A’s to lose 11 of the last 13. Now it’s remote because they need one more win.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Soaker Sep 29,2016 10:05 pm || Up

      And that ninth inning may have been their last, best chance. Crap.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Sep 29,2016 10:07 pm || Up

        A spirited effort.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  8. Glorious Mundy Sep 30,2016 10:40 am
    • colin Sep 30,2016 11:01 am || Up

      When we first arrive in McMurdo and have to go to briefing, the station manager always explains that he is the deputy US marshal for Antarctica. But it doesn’t seem too intimidating because he looks like a deadhead, often down to the tie-dye shirt.

    • colin Sep 30,2016 11:04 am || Up

      There is still debate over whether Rodney could have poisoned himself with homebrewed moonshine.

      • Glorious Mundy Sep 30,2016 11:09 am || Up

        That would seem like the most likely source of methanol poisoning.

        • colin Sep 30,2016 1:07 pm || Up

          But the “it was murder” contingent still has its diehards.

  9. Soaker Sep 30,2016 10:52 am

    Post-debate, full statsy version for GM: In NV, Clinton +6, Heck (GOP) +2.5 for Reid’s seat.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • ptbnl Sep 30,2016 11:02 am || Up

      Fox News has a 21 point lead over PBS for trustworthiness.

      DFWAS.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • Glorious Mundy Sep 30,2016 11:06 am || Up

      That Senate race is going to be a nailbiter, but I’d have to favor the Democrat right now. Heck is less popular than Cortez Masto, but has slightly more name recognition. The Hillary/Reid turnout machine + plus the Trump millstone should sink him.

      • Soaker Sep 30,2016 11:14 am || Up

        And as has been the case a few times, NOTA is greater than the margin between the two main candidates, and NOTA is on the ballot.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • Glorious Mundy Sep 30,2016 11:15 am || Up

          What happens if NOTA wins?

          • Soaker Sep 30,2016 11:19 am || Up

            Well…it has happened, and recently.

            The Democrats didn’t run a serious candidate against Sandoval. I think the “real” candidate who received the most votes was well into his 80s, so he was on the November ballot, but there was no campaign.

            What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
          • Soaker Sep 30,2016 11:32 am || Up

            To clarify, I looked up the section of the law on that:

            NRS 293.269  Ballots for statewide offices or President and Vice President must permit voter to register opposition to all candidates.
            1.  Every ballot upon which appears the names of candidates for any statewide office or for President and Vice President of the United States shall contain for each office an additional line equivalent to the lines on which the candidates’ names appear and placed at the end of the group of lines containing the names of the candidates for that office. Each additional line shall contain a square in which the voter may express a choice of that line in the same manner as the voter would express a choice of a candidate, and the line shall read “None of these candidates.”
            2.  Only votes cast for the named candidates shall be counted in determining nomination or election to any statewide office or presidential nominations or the selection of presidential electors, but for each office the number of ballots on which the additional line was chosen shall be listed following the names of the candidates and the number of their votes in every posting, abstract and proclamation of the results of the election.

            What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
            • Glorious Mundy Sep 30,2016 11:54 am || Up

              Huh, so it’s just a way to formally register one’s middle finger for the record.

              • dmoas Sep 30,2016 12:07 pm || Up

                That’s the way it should be everywhere. Though if it were to win, I’d be willing to force all ballot candidates to fuck off and have a new election until someone worthy shows up. I also want ranked choice for all too. Even better if None could be #1 with follow-up choices. But that’s just me, I’m content with it as written.

          • 5Aces Sep 30,2016 11:48 am || Up

            Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Glorious Mundy Sep 30,2016 12:29 pm || Up

      Also, wow, that gun-transfer measure looks like it is going to pass easily. That would be a nice little punch in the NRA’s nose.

      • Soaker Sep 30,2016 3:14 pm || Up

        I am thinking they may concede on that and devote the resources to their “Hillary is going to take away a woman’s right to defend her children in her own home” storyline. Boy did I roll my eyes when I saw that ad.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • Glorious Mundy Oct 7,2016 4:09 pm || Up

          Saw this ad a few minutes ago during the Dodgers game. Really lousy, and they are apparently running it nationally.

          • dmoas Oct 7,2016 4:15 pm || Up

            The ads of his I’ve seen have been so overly generic. About as much emotion and impactful as company’s internal training video.

        • andeux Oct 7,2016 4:18 pm || Up

          Shouldn’t a big PAC like that be bailing on Trump too, and devoting their resources to things they might win? Not that I mind the NRA squandering their money.

          TINSTAAFK
          • Glorious Mundy Oct 7,2016 4:22 pm || Up

            It’s a delicate thing. My guess is they continue to spend on him not because they think he can win, but because keeping his numbers relatively respectable is the only way to avoid losing congress. If the bottom falls out of Trump completely, they are going to lose a lot of house members and half a dozen senators, regardless of what they spend in individual districts.

            • nevermoor Oct 10,2016 10:09 am || Up

              they continue to spend on him

              Turns out you got the tense wrong on that. ::happyface::

              "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
        • Glorious Mundy Oct 16,2016 11:52 am || Up

          Their constituents seem to be moving on to the “cashing in on the inevitable” phase.

          • Soaker Oct 16,2016 6:06 pm || Up

            The NRA was running some anti-Question 1 ads featuring Nevada AG Adam Laxalt during the NFL games today, so Question 1 or whatever they can make of its defeat is not a done deal in their eyes at least.

            What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  10. Glorious Mundy Sep 30,2016 2:22 pm
  11. FreeSeatUpgrade Sep 30,2016 6:31 pm
    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  12. FreeSeatUpgrade Sep 30,2016 6:44 pm

    Stanford: Maybe not all that good?

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Soaker Sep 30,2016 6:59 pm || Up

      If the A’s felt and heard a clunk over at Safeco, it came from Husky Stadium. This is the team I suspected I saw against K-State, this time on the road against a very good team.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • Soaker Sep 30,2016 8:48 pm || Up

        Well. I don’t see how this was good for the Pac-12. If Furd is the second-best team in the league, it means the conference sucks, which would confirm some pre-season opinions. Furd has most likely disqualified itself from the playoff even if they win out. U-Dub can make the playoff if they go undefeated, but that’s the only way because they played three cupcakes in nonconference.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 1,2016 6:50 pm || Up

          OTOH, in a weak Pac 12 Cal could make some noise!

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  13. FreeSeatUpgrade Sep 30,2016 7:09 pm

    Brandon Moss with a contribution to the anti-Giants cause. Rich Hill, now it’s your turn.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Soaker Sep 30,2016 9:27 pm || Up

      Brandon McCarthy not really contributing to the cause here.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  14. Future Ed Sep 30,2016 8:21 pm

    alcantara didn’t have it

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  15. Future Ed Sep 30,2016 8:27 pm

    its ok, khris, I know you have tickets for White reaper at chop shuy. I would want work to end early too

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  16. lenscrafters Sep 30,2016 9:26 pm

    Pretty annoyed that the Dodgers took out Rich Hill at only 80 pitches.

    • elcroata Sep 30,2016 10:35 pm || Up

      And then didn’t at least put Blanton, Baez, Jansen in it…

      Watch Kershaw go five innings tomorrow

      Because survival is insufficient
      • ptbnl Oct 1,2016 3:30 pm || Up

        7IP, 1ER and still lost.

        Useless FKing Dodgers.

        If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  17. FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 1,2016 6:52 pm

    Cotton’s ready to K 6 and go 3.2 innings.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 1,2016 8:11 pm || Up

      K 7, 4.1 IP.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  18. FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 1,2016 6:53 pm

    Louisville’s helmets are sweet.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  19. doctorK Oct 1,2016 7:17 pm

    WTF, Iowa State?

  20. Future Ed Oct 1,2016 7:23 pm

    Aparantly the Mariners have golf plans

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  21. Future Ed Oct 1,2016 8:10 pm

    Wonder what Andy van slyke thinks of Robinson Cano

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  22. andeux Oct 1,2016 9:34 pm

    This game is awful.

    TINSTAAFK
  23. Future Ed Oct 1,2016 9:38 pm

    no seriously, anyone want to win?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  24. Future Ed Oct 1,2016 9:51 pm

    ryan madsen is not likeable

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 1,2016 10:05 pm || Up

      No I really want to hit him in the face.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  25. andeux Oct 1,2016 9:52 pm

    3:42 for the first nine innings.

    TINSTAAFK
    • doctorK Oct 1,2016 9:54 pm || Up

      Nothing worse than emulating a Yankees-Red Sox agony.

  26. doctorK Oct 1,2016 9:59 pm

    Shut up, shut UP, SHUT UP

  27. FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 1,2016 10:04 pm

    Precious little baseball left this year. I’m not entirely sure if that’s good or bad.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  28. andeux Oct 1,2016 10:05 pm

    More Madson? Oh boy.

    TINSTAAFK
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 1,2016 10:06 pm || Up

      Argh.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  29. andeux Oct 1,2016 10:06 pm

    This is actually a re-run of the wild card game from 2 years ago, isn’t it?

    TINSTAAFK
    • Future Ed Oct 2,2016 7:01 am || Up

      i wouldn’t mind that. after that game a few hundred dollars showed up in my checking account

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  30. andeux Oct 1,2016 10:11 pm

    Yay I guess.

    TINSTAAFK
  31. doctorK Oct 1,2016 10:11 pm

    Fuck you, Seattle.

    Have a nice winter.

  32. FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 1,2016 10:12 pm

    It’s the most beautiful win of the year!

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  33. elcroata Oct 1,2016 11:02 pm

    Blessed be Derek Norris for influencing the game like only he can and winning me my fantasy league

    Because survival is insufficient
  34. ptbnl Oct 2,2016 10:42 am

    FKing Arse … scoring the wining goal beyond injury time off an offside player’s hand.

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  35. andeux Oct 2,2016 12:54 pm

    Suck it Belicheat.

    TINSTAAFK
    • doctorK Oct 2,2016 2:32 pm || Up

      They get Tom Terrific back next week, but yeah, FK those guys.

  36. Glorious Mundy Oct 2,2016 1:09 pm

    The fucking Dodgers are rolling over so hard. God dammit.

    • ptbnl Oct 2,2016 1:14 pm || Up

      Poor Vin.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • elcroata Oct 2,2016 1:50 pm || Up

      They are pretty horrible against LHP. Bumgarner, Blach, Moore…

      Because survival is insufficient
  37. ptbnl Oct 2,2016 1:10 pm

    Damn the Dodgers are shitting the bed.

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  38. doctorK Oct 2,2016 1:20 pm

    FK YEAH RAIDERS

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 2,2016 1:37 pm || Up

      They actually looked like a composed, mature team today. Huge win.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • critter Oct 2,2016 6:12 pm || Up

      I was too scared to watch the last two minutes. I went into another room.

      • doctorK Oct 2,2016 6:33 pm || Up

        This was a “pool table” game for me. When I was a kid, it seemed like every Raiders game came down to the last two minutes or so (they didn’t, of course – back then the Raiders used to beat the hell out of a lot of teams). Because most of my friends were Rams fans, I knew I’d never hear the end of it if the Raiders lost. I’d get so worked up, especially seeing John Madden raging on the sideline like a lunatic, that during timeouts or between plays, I’d run laps around our pool table to burn off the nervous energy.

        I needed that pool table when Del Rio went for the two-pointer in week one, and on that last drive today.

        • critter Oct 2,2016 6:45 pm || Up

          I like that story! I just cleaned things. Same principle I guess but less interesting.

  39. MikeV Oct 2,2016 1:29 pm

    Aikman/Buck to announce SF / Dallas?

    Seriously.

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 2,2016 1:41 pm || Up
      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  40. FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 2,2016 2:32 pm

    Last inning :(

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  41. doctorK Oct 2,2016 2:42 pm

    Matt.Olson.

  42. andeux Oct 2,2016 2:44 pm

    69 wins! Progress!

    TINSTAAFK
    • colin Oct 2,2016 4:36 pm || Up

      If the A’s just keep on improving at this rate, they might compete for the wild card in 2036!

    • ptbnl Oct 2,2016 8:48 pm || Up

      That last win cost 3 places in the draft.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • Glorious Mundy Oct 3,2016 11:13 am || Up

        Thereby saving ownership a couple million in bonus money. Nice work, boys.

      • colin Oct 3,2016 12:58 pm || Up

        That is will all the tie-breaker scenarios accounted for?

        • ptbnl Oct 3,2016 2:44 pm || Up

          For the draft, the tie-breaker is the 2015 record.

          On the other hand, Atlanta’s unplayed game would have made a difference.

          If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  43. FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 2,2016 2:48 pm

    By the time Opening Day rolls around our winning streak will be at six months!

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  44. ptbnl Oct 2,2016 3:03 pm

    Watching Justin Upton watch the last two pitches go by him for strikes to end the season brought back bad TLong memories.

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  45. ptbnl Oct 2,2016 3:11 pm

    Anyone interested in meeting up on Wednesday to cheer on the Mets?

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • Future Ed Oct 2,2016 4:16 pm || Up

      maybe, but I’d rather see the julie ruin the fllowing wednesday and don’t want to over commit

      plus I am “backintheday” ing on thursday to see Shonen Knife, where I expect to see EM.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • critter Oct 2,2016 6:19 pm || Up

        You’re too cool for school.

        • Future Ed Oct 2,2016 6:26 pm || Up

          the julie ruin is kinda “backintheday” ing, but I was never into le tigre. mostly because I didn’t like that political people were into them because politics. I like my political bands not appealing to people that wouldn’t otherwise be into it.

          Maybe that does make me too cool.

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • critter Oct 2,2016 6:38 pm || Up

            Even if it doesn’t you were already cool.

      • critter Oct 2,2016 6:26 pm || Up

        A’s and Raiders both win. A good Sunday. Except I was leaving the hardware store when a big storm hit and my poor ducks were out in the pen (their duck house isn’t finished yet). The waterproofing from their feathers didn’t work with the hail and pouring rain so they were drenched. They were also scared. But I brought them in, gave them grapes and now they are warming themselves in front of the fire in a cat bed. So back to being a good day!

        • Future Ed Oct 2,2016 9:34 pm || Up

          I hope mallard filmore is OK

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • critter Oct 2,2016 11:00 pm || Up

            I had to look that up since I knew it couldn’t be a typo. He doesn’t sound like my girls at all! Their names are Ramona- loves life and barges through it loudly, and Willamena- Shy, gentle, panicky but sweet. They’re Welsh Harlequins.

            • Future Ed Oct 3,2016 6:31 am || Up

              sweet sweet little Ramona, always wants to come ova

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • critter Oct 2,2016 6:14 pm || Up

      Hey ptbnl, just wanted to say thank you again for the Hello Kitty bobblehead. She’s hanging out with Tejada, Chavez and Rickey on my A’s shelf. Makes me happy. :)

      • ptbnl Oct 2,2016 11:23 pm || Up

        You’re very welcome!

        If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  46. MikeV Oct 2,2016 8:53 pm

    so Bowman’s career is probably over if he really tore his achillees.

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

  47. mother pucker Oct 2,2016 9:15 pm

    I was cool with eliminating Seattle on Saturday (even if Toronto and Baltimore winning on Sunday would have accomplished this regardless), but had the A’s been swept, they would own the 2nd overall pick in the 2017 MLB Entry Draft.

  48. Glorious Mundy Oct 3,2016 11:48 am

    LOL

    Helps explain why my formerly Paulite friend has been touting Stein this time around.

  49. FreeSeatUpgrade Oct 3,2016 2:18 pm

    Huh, turns out that the lead counsel for Ed O’Bannon et al is a former high school debate teammate and friend of mine.

    http://deadspin.com/supreme-court-denies-petitions-to-hear-ncaa-vs-obannon-1787362503

    http://www.masseygail.com/our-team-massey.php

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Oct 3,2016 3:12 pm || Up

      Nice to see a fellow Edward Charles from UCLA doing well

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  50. Future Ed Oct 3,2016 6:55 pm

    DH? who says no?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.

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