Games 114 and 115: FIGHT! for California ← FREE KRAUT!

Games 114 and 115: FIGHT! for California 146

The only two California major league teams with winning records entering today square off at the Coliseum in the final two games before football destroys our pristine field. Actually it wouldn’t be a bad idea for a third team to join them, temporarily, this afternoon.

It’s It would have been Southpaws Galore if the A’s stuck to the stated plan:
Tonight at 7:05: Manaea vs. Rich Hill
Wednesday at 7:05: BRETT! Fiers vs. Clayton Kershaw

Tonight’s game may be accompanied by a few notes of “Rich Girl”, “She’s Gone” and “Kiss on My List” floating over from the show next door.

Besides Hill, we welcome back John Axford and Max Muncy. I don’t know if Muncy would start either night vs. a lefty although he’s done well against them in limited PAs.

146 thoughts on “Games 114 and 115: FIGHT! for California

  1. dmoas Aug 7,2018 3:19 pm

    Fiers is facing Clayton.

  2. FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 7,2018 4:20 pm

    I think you meant this is the last series until the Raiders gift us with the annual dual purpose Coliseum home field advantage .

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  3. FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 7,2018 4:27 pm

    Hey Soaker, got any recommendations for definitive Tahoe air quality sources? I’m finding significant discrepancies between airnow.gov and purpleair.com. Trying to gauge whether the weekend DL Bliss trip is doable.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Soaker Aug 7,2018 4:49 pm || Up

      I’m not aware of a reliable one at the lake. The Gardnerville Ranchos gauge is reliable, and that’s just off to the east over the Carson Range so it’s a close-enough proxy. Air quality has ranged between not-good and awful for the last couple weeks, “awful” being when I’m sitting inside the house and smelling smoke from 100 miles away. It’s hard to guess what it would be like this weekend because it depends on the fires’ behavior and the wind conditions. This afternoon’s report is:

      Smoke continues to create air quality issues around the region. Air quality in western Nevada, including the Reno/Carson City area, is mainly in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups categories today. Much of the denser smoke in west central Nevada is from the Donnell Fire near Sonora Pass. That fire is quite active again today and lofting smoke high enough into the air to catch a southerly transport wind. This will continue to add smoke to western Nevada and could further degrade air quality.

      Anecdotally I’ve heard we’re getting a ton of vacation cancellations and I can’t argue with that decision.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 8,2018 10:08 am || Up

        What makes it hard to gauge is how widely the AQIs seem to vary even among close areas. Contrast the 96150 zip (So. Tahoe CA including DL Blissl with 96145, the area just a bit further north along the CA side of the lake. Right now 96150 reads green/ healthy while 96150 reads orange/ bad.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • Soaker Aug 8,2018 10:14 am || Up

          And how much it can change in a couple hours if the wind changes, which it always does around 1-2 p.m. Gardnerville was “hazardous” in the wee hours this morning and the air is milky here but doesn’t seem that awful to me. It’s those early morning hours when there’s no wind and the smoke settles to the ground that are the worst of the day.

          What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • Soaker Aug 8,2018 6:15 pm || Up

        This afternoon got an “awful”. I was out for a while, it was hot, it was smoky, screw it, there’s plenty of beer in the fridge.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 8,2018 6:38 pm || Up

          Where exactly was awful today? I’m working to pin down these AQI models. They mostly have consistently had the thin strip of the SW corner of the lakeshore, including DL Bliss and Emerald Bay, as a lot better than SLT proper and the Gardenerville area.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
          • MikeV Aug 8,2018 6:53 pm || Up

            Livermore was ridiculous. The fires may as well have been in Dublin there was so much smoke in the air.

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

            Thanks, and go As.

          • Soaker Aug 8,2018 6:59 pm || Up

            I was on my local forest trails, not too far from the casinos, which is what I’m limited to right now with the knee issue, but I seriously doubt Emerald Bay is significantly better than what I see here. I don’t have much of a view but my measure is the snowboarder slope at the top of Ski Run which I can see from here at my computer chair, and that’s barely visible through the haze.

            What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
            • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 11,2018 4:51 pm || Up

              As it turns out the air is quite reasonable.

              "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
              • Soaker Aug 11,2018 5:05 pm || Up

                Yesterday and today have been by far the best since I got back from Denver.

                What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  4. Glorious Mundy Aug 7,2018 6:25 pm

    Felix vs. Bartolo is not exactly the battle of aces it once was.

    • Glorious Mundy Aug 7,2018 6:31 pm || Up

      The King might have to abdicate after this one.

      • Glorious Mundy Aug 7,2018 6:33 pm || Up

        He just gave up a three-run homer in the fourth to put the Mariners behind 8-4, and Servais left him to face Gallo, who singled, and he is STILL in.

        • Soaker Aug 7,2018 6:36 pm || Up

          12-inning game last night explains that.

          They have to be looking at taking him out of the rotation though.

          What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • Glorious Mundy Aug 7,2018 6:36 pm || Up

          He plunks Chirinos and he’s STILL in.

      • Soaker Aug 7,2018 6:51 pm || Up

        Yeah, Felix’s only throne nowadays is porcelain.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • ptbnl Aug 7,2018 6:57 pm || Up

          Though Seager’s gift of 4 unearned runs isn’t helping

          If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • Soaker Aug 8,2018 10:10 am || Up

        Follow-up:

        Ooh, Ross Detwiler, just who a contending team wants on the mound in August. One thing they could do as a last chance is throw Felix in Oakland next week and hope the sight of the Green and Gold unis brings him back to life, for one start at least.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Ben Folds' Nuts Aug 7,2018 8:28 pm || Up

      Was it ever? Were they ever aces at the same time?

  5. Future Ed Aug 7,2018 6:59 pm

    ” frameborder=”0″ allow=”autoplay; encrypted-media” allowfullscreen>

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  6. Future Ed Aug 7,2018 7:19 pm

    If manaea can get through 4 we should be ok

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Ben Folds' Nuts Aug 7,2018 8:29 pm || Up

      What the hell happened? I just tuned in.

  7. ptbnl Aug 7,2018 7:24 pm

    When you push the game to extras in the bottom of the 9th, giving up 5 in the top of the 10th is … disappointing.

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  8. lenscrafters Aug 7,2018 7:33 pm

    If the potential wild card game is against the Yankees, I’d start Cahill or even Fiers (at home) over Manaea.

    • Future Ed Aug 7,2018 7:35 pm || Up

      It has to be a match up thing, all 10 pitchers on the roster will be used

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • mikeA Aug 7,2018 7:41 pm || Up

      Apart from overperforming his peripherals, he’s looked considerably worse the last few starts.
      I would go with 2 each from Treinan, Trivino, Familia, and Petit, not sure about the other inning…

      • lenscrafters Aug 7,2018 7:46 pm || Up

        Luzardo

        • mikeA Aug 7,2018 7:54 pm || Up

          Ah, right. Give him two, and do a L/R inning with Petit and Manaea.

  9. Future Ed Aug 7,2018 7:36 pm

    I don’t get the boos for puig

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Glorious Mundy Aug 8,2018 9:08 pm || Up

      Yeah that bothers me.

      • Future Ed Aug 8,2018 10:06 pm || Up

        are they saying PUUUUUUIIIIIIIIIGGGGG?

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  10. lenscrafters Aug 7,2018 7:40 pm

    Wtf Pinder’s lawn dart

  11. Future Ed Aug 7,2018 7:40 pm

    I thought anderson wasn’t pitching this series?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  12. Soaker Aug 7,2018 7:45 pm

    It ain’t the plate umpire’s fault. Manaea is all over the place.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  13. lenscrafters Aug 7,2018 8:02 pm

    A viable long reliever instead of Hatcher would’ve been perfect for tonight.

  14. Future Ed Aug 7,2018 8:30 pm

    machado wears 8 in honor of kobe? Gross

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  15. Ben Folds' Nuts Aug 7,2018 8:52 pm

    Dallas Braden having to explain the concept of a window of contention to Glen and Ray.

  16. Soaker Aug 7,2018 8:53 pm

    Hmmm, I missed Pat Venditte in my welcome-back list. He was just activated today.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  17. Ben Folds' Nuts Aug 7,2018 8:54 pm

    Jesus fucking fuck.

  18. Glorious Mundy Aug 7,2018 9:01 pm

    Sonny Gray pitching extras.

  19. Soaker Aug 7,2018 9:02 pm

    It’s starting to feel like Hall and Oates (with Train!) was the better choice tonight.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Future Ed Aug 7,2018 9:24 pm || Up

      hall and oats is never the answer

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  20. lenscrafters Aug 7,2018 9:23 pm

    Goddamnit extend that man.

  21. Soaker Aug 7,2018 10:31 pm

    Why couldn’t You Make My Dreams Come True tonight? I guess there was a Manaeater that got in the way.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  22. Glorious Mundy Aug 8,2018 5:17 pm

    Mercy. Seattle already got hammered today.

    • Soaker Aug 8,2018 7:32 pm || Up

      There was a play in that one where Profar was on 2B with 2 out, Andrus up and Andrus hits a grounder to Seager, who trots over to step on third for the third out forceout. Except, nobody was on first. Whereupon Beltre got a base hit to drive in Profar. That series was kind of a disaster for Seager.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • dmoas Aug 9,2018 9:39 am || Up

        Imagine the look on Profar’s face when that happened. Wait. Is there a force? Was I not paying attention?

        • Glorious Mundy Aug 9,2018 1:37 pm || Up

          Am I out of touch? No, it’s the Mariners who are wrong.

      • Glorious Mundy Aug 9,2018 1:36 pm || Up

        Amusingly, it seems to have been scored as a fielder’s choice.

  23. Soaker Aug 8,2018 7:05 pm

    Broadcast team of Roxy and John Farrell tonight on ESPN Radio, huh. I guess I’ll give them a try.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  24. FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 8,2018 7:18 pm

    OK Fiers, you’re the ace now.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  25. Soaker Aug 8,2018 7:42 pm

    Semien’s throwing still makes me nervous, though less so than a couple years ago, but he’s a magnet for the line drives.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  26. lenscrafters Aug 8,2018 7:44 pm

    They had to really dig to put together an A’s Max Muncy highlight reel.

  27. Soaker Aug 8,2018 7:49 pm

    The two things I missed about the 2018 A’s were:

    1. Treinen and Trivino

    2. I’ve been told all these years that a team can’t win without quality starting pitching, and that’s just not true anymore.

    Nevertheless I’d like to see one starter who can slam the door for 7 innings most of the time, and maybe Fiers is the guy.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  28. Future Ed Aug 8,2018 8:06 pm

    why don’t they kick him out?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Glorious Mundy Aug 8,2018 8:15 pm || Up

      I think the ump knew he called him out on a ball for showing him up. Wasn’t going to toss him on top of that (yet).

      • Ben Folds' Nuts Aug 8,2018 8:55 pm || Up

        Credit to the ump for committing to it and calling that shit a strike for the rest of the night apparently.

  29. Soaker Aug 8,2018 8:47 pm

    Seems like a quick hook for Fiers.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Soaker Aug 8,2018 8:56 pm || Up

      I get that Bob thinks he can get 11 outs from Trivino, Familia and Treinen tonight, but man that’s a lot to ask.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 8,2018 9:08 pm || Up

        Yeah but the contact vs Fiers was getting louder that last inning plus.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  30. Soaker Aug 8,2018 9:11 pm

    Fail. A bloop, but still, fail.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  31. Future Ed Aug 8,2018 9:20 pm

    lets get lo a win next inning. he hasn’t had one in a while

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  32. Future Ed Aug 8,2018 9:24 pm

    i meam famila

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 8,2018 9:26 pm || Up

      He needs to keep up with the other team leaders.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  33. Future Ed Aug 8,2018 9:29 pm

    catch the damn ball

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  34. Future Ed Aug 8,2018 9:42 pm

    Jed needs a few days off

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  35. Future Ed Aug 8,2018 9:49 pm

    both sides are getting lucky today

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  36. Future Ed Aug 8,2018 10:05 pm

    I thought puig swung at those pitches? Did he get better?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  37. lenscrafters Aug 8,2018 10:08 pm

    The Dodgers are annoying. Their hitters have the same type of at bats ours do.

  38. Soaker Aug 8,2018 10:12 pm

    I’ll take it; granted Kershaw isn’t what he was a few years ago but it’s still nice to win one of his starts. Roxy and Farrell were OK until Farrell got into the stuff about how it’s so much easier for Treinen in Oakland than Washington because there’s not as much pressure out here. Grrr…

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  39. Future Ed Aug 8,2018 10:12 pm

    kershaw only struck out 2, and “one” of them was chapman

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • lenscrafters Aug 8,2018 10:15 pm || Up

      His curveball wasn’t working at all tonight. And his velocity seems to have fallen to Manaea-esque levels.

      Still, a split between Hill/Kershaw is more than acceptable, and this series definitely felt like a potential WS matchup.

      • Future Ed Aug 8,2018 10:18 pm || Up

        only two total strikeouts as well

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  40. Future Ed Aug 8,2018 10:53 pm

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  41. Glorious Mundy Aug 9,2018 7:46 am

    The A’s traded for Fiers on August 6. According to Slusser, he didn’t clear waivers. The A’s claimed him.

    As I understand it, you have two days to complete a trade after a waiver claim, so the earliest the A’s claimed him was August 4.

    As of August 3, Seattle had waiver priority over the A’s. They also knew that the A’s were trying to get Fiers.

    Fiers’ contract is not bad, and the Tigers did not seem interested in giving him up for free anyway, so there would have been very little risk to putting in a blocking clam.

    So my question: What is Jerry Dipoto doing? Was he asleep at the switch, or is this some “honor among theives” business?

    • andeux Aug 9,2018 9:23 am || Up

      There are two days to make a claim, and then another two days to complete the trade.
      So he could have been waived on August 2 (and before Seattle played that day?), and if priority is based on that day’s standings(?), there would have been nothing Seattle could do. (And speculating even further, Detroit knowing that they were already close to a deal with Oakland before the deadline, could have been motivated to start the process that day knowing how close the standing were.)

      TINSTAAFK
      • Glorious Mundy Aug 9,2018 9:43 am || Up

        I thought priority was based on the date of the claim not on the date of the waiver, in which case Seattle could have put one in on Aug 3 and won. Maybe that’s wrong.

        It’s also confusing why Detroit wouldn’t have put him on waivers Aug 1 or the evening of July 31 knowing the situation as you describe and wanting him to get to Oakland.

  42. Glorious Mundy Aug 9,2018 1:54 pm

    Edwin Jackson is apparently a big fan of Cold War liberal hawks.

    • ptbnl Aug 9,2018 2:04 pm || Up

      Someone needs to tell Phegley that’s taken.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • lenscrafters Aug 9,2018 2:08 pm || Up

      I guess Laureano isn’t participating?

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 9,2018 3:18 pm || Up

        They should give him the generic “Kid” nameplate.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • dmoas Aug 9,2018 3:57 pm || Up

        Nor Anderson.

        • Future Ed Aug 9,2018 4:46 pm || Up

          thats my favorite

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • nevermoor Aug 10,2018 3:24 pm || Up

          I think Anderson should have gone with McCarthy on his jersey, given their persisting twitter friendship.

          "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 9,2018 3:31 pm || Up

      I guess be thankful Luzardo isn’t up to be Perle or Wolfowitz to Jackson’s Scoop.

      For the most part our nicknames suck. Capt. Barrell and maybe Manaealator only decent ones.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • dmoas Aug 9,2018 3:57 pm || Up

      Jackson should be Merc or Mercenary.

    • Future Ed Aug 9,2018 4:48 pm || Up

      we playing the mariners that weekend?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • andeux Aug 10,2018 5:38 pm || Up

      TINSTAAFK
  43. Glorious Mundy Aug 9,2018 7:08 pm

    Uh

    • Soaker Aug 9,2018 7:22 pm || Up

      Hoo boy is this going to require some nose-holding.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • Glorious Mundy Aug 9,2018 7:26 pm || Up

        i bet they figure out a way to keep Hatcher too.

    • lenscrafters Aug 9,2018 7:31 pm || Up

      Wtf???

      • Soaker Aug 9,2018 7:38 pm || Up

        I don’t see a bit of WTF in it. It’s pretty logical. Fiers can maybe go 6 innings, all other starters go 4. They have Treinen, Trivino, Familia and now Rodney at the back end, Petit, Pagan and (sort of) Buchter in the middle and whoever’s left as long relievers (I’d think Mengden and Montas will get into that part, certainly in September).

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • andeux Aug 9,2018 7:58 pm || Up

          But Rodney, despite a high K rate and a long career as a closer, has never really been good, apart from one year in TB when he magically stopped walking everyone.

          TINSTAAFK
          • Soaker Aug 9,2018 8:53 pm || Up

            My general feeling is we knew a while ago they needed bullpen depth and they got it without trading Cespedes and Russell.

            What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
            • andeux Aug 9,2018 9:41 pm || Up

              Slusser says:

              Petit has a pretty solid claim to the sixth. That leaves Rodney, a 16-year veteran, likely to work the fifth or later in games in which the A’s are trailing.

              Right-hander Chris Hatcher is likely to be designated for assignment

              So yay that he is not Hatcher. And that he is not pitching in important situations. And that all we gave up was a DUI+TJ guy.

              But

              There is certainly the potential that a man who has closed games for almost his entire career and who is 17th all-time on the major-league saves list might balk at such a reduced role.

              That, rather than the nothing we gave up, seems like the not inconsiderable risk here, when the reward is a marginal improvement in your eighth-best reliever.

              TINSTAAFK
              • Future Ed Aug 9,2018 9:52 pm || Up

                you would think this would have been worked out. I don’t know if they can work things like that out beforehand.

                I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • Soaker Aug 9,2018 10:03 pm || Up

                I don’t see it that way at all. If the team is winning a lot, there’s plenty of room for Trivino and Rodney in the 8th and Treinen and Familia in the 9th on alternate nights. Or something like that, probably backing those four guys into the 7th for 7 or 8 outs fairly often. Pagan and Kelley work the 5th and later when the A’s are down.

                What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
                • nevermoor Aug 10,2018 3:26 pm || Up

                  Agreed. Rodney is no Treinen, but if it means we don’t feel compelled to use our best dudes up 3 runs in the seventh inning, or whatever, I think it’s a clear win for little cost.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
        • lenscrafters Aug 9,2018 8:01 pm || Up

          He’s an improvement over Hatcher but the whole experience of watching him pitch is very Koch and Balfour-esque. Though I suppose it’s easier to tolerate that in the 6th or 7th than the 9th.

          • Future Ed Aug 9,2018 8:04 pm || Up

            I wonder how many times he and Edwin jackson have been teammates?

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
            • ptbnl Aug 9,2018 8:43 pm || Up

              Twice I can find – a full season on the 2009 Tigers, and 10 days on the 2016 Padres.

              They missed by a month on the 2015 Cubs (Jackson released on 7/27 and Rodney acquired from the Mariners on 8/27)

              In 2016 Jackson was released by Marlins on June 2nd and signed by Rodney’s Padres on June 20th. Then on June 30th Rodney was traded from the Padres … to the Marlins.

              If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
          • Future Ed Aug 9,2018 8:14 pm || Up

            or the 4th in New york on october 3

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • andeux Aug 9,2018 7:47 pm || Up

      Filling the much-needed void left by the loss of Casilla.

      TINSTAAFK
    • Future Ed Aug 9,2018 7:56 pm || Up

      i really don’t understand

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Future Ed Aug 9,2018 7:58 pm || Up

      NOT SUPERINTENDENT CHALMERS!

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  44. Future Ed Aug 9,2018 8:13 pm

    Holy shit, the mariners are going to blow a 6-0 after 2.5 and 8-2 lead ater 5.5. On a day Paxton pitches

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Soaker Aug 9,2018 9:08 pm || Up

      It does seem like we should be rooting for the Mariners in those games, but who knows. I mostly root for 18 innings.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  45. 5Aces Aug 9,2018 8:45 pm

    If you had told me even a month ago that I would be rooting for the M’s to hang on Id have said youre crazy.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  46. 5Aces Aug 9,2018 8:46 pm

    Are you allowed to do the arrow BS in the 4th inning?

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Future Ed Aug 9,2018 9:17 pm || Up

      i hope so. That grew on me. its just too weird. Also better than pointing to sky jesus

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • 5Aces Aug 10,2018 8:18 am || Up

        Just once I want someone to point down when they get to first.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  47. Soaker Aug 10,2018 12:09 pm

    Looking at the minor league affiliation agreements list for the first time in a while, I missed the Diamondbacks’ renewal of their agreement with the Reno Aces a while back. The Astros will be taking Round Rock, the Rangers will get the San Antonio team that’s moving from Colorado Springs and the Mariners are not leaving Tacoma. That leaves the Nationals and Brewers homeless with Fresno and Las Vegas available.

    The only other question is whether the A’s will leave Nashville for Las Vegas. If they did, the Nationals would move into Nashville. The Nashville ownership isn’t taking the Brewers back; they kicked them out in 2014 and that’s how the new ballpark became available to the A’s after they were booted from Sacramento. The deadline for resolving all this is sometime in September.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • 5Aces Aug 10,2018 12:49 pm || Up

      I don’t disagree, but I will still give Fresno a punchers chance. They have turned the perception of the club around the last few years and Giles is a Clovis boy.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • dmoas Aug 10,2018 1:03 pm || Up

        I’d predict they stay in Nashville.

      • Soaker Aug 10,2018 1:08 pm || Up

        The Sacramento River Cats got an attendance bump in 2015 when the Giants started there, but they’ve dropped every year since then and this year they are about 13% below what they were drawing in the A’s final year there.

        I’ll personally take either Fresno or Las Vegas because those two teams come to Reno for two series each year, while the Sounds and Aces play only one series each year and that alternates between the cities so the Sounds only come here for one series every other year. It seems like the A’s get along with the Nashville ownership and are happy with the facilities there; now Las Vegas can finally compete on facilities so it may depend on how the A’s get along with the Howard Hughes Corporation, which owns the ballclub (to be named later; they’ll be something other than the “51s” in 2019) and the “Downtown Summerlin” development the new ballpark is adjacent to.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Future Ed Aug 10,2018 1:02 pm || Up

      Last I looked at attendance, I think Nashville was doing well with the a’s, that has to count for something, right?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • 5Aces Aug 10,2018 1:13 pm || Up

        A question could be if Nashville thinks the Nats would be a better fit since the parent club is closer.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  48. ptbnl Aug 10,2018 5:23 pm

    Eovaldi being pulled with a game score of 2!

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  49. Glorious Mundy Aug 10,2018 5:28 pm

  50. Glorious Mundy Aug 10,2018 5:29 pm

    • Soaker Aug 10,2018 5:48 pm || Up

      .359/.447/.590 in the 10 previous games vs. the A’s this year.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  51. Soaker Aug 10,2018 5:40 pm

    Loaiza not likely to be a part of the A’s remaining 50th Anniversary celebrations.

    In a plea deal, lawyers on both sides of the case agreed to recommend a sentence of about 30 years. He faced a range of 10 years to life in prison, according to the plea agreement.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  52. Ben Folds' Nuts Aug 10,2018 6:08 pm

    Holy shit there are some people with FEELINGS about Fernando Rodney in this world. You’d think A’s fans would have learned to be okay with a black guy who has fun playing baseball by now, but no sir.

    • Future Ed Aug 10,2018 7:32 pm || Up

      I started liking his schtick during some WBC

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • colin Aug 11,2018 6:29 am || Up
    • Soaker Aug 10,2018 8:00 pm || Up

      I can put aside previous impressions and tolerate just about anybody if they’re wearing Green and Gold. It went the other way a bit with Brett Lawrie; I’d never thought much about him one way or the other as a Blue Jay, but he got to Oakland and whew, what a jerk.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 11,2018 4:49 pm || Up

        I cheered for Kenny Rogers, it still feels dirty, yet I’d do the same again.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • nevermoor Aug 13,2018 9:59 am || Up

        And obviously Matt Holliday is just the WORST.

        "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  53. Soaker Aug 10,2018 6:27 pm

    Those early Mariners road uniforms, oh man. A couple of the guys are wearing matching shoes; I see the swoosh on Leake’s shoes but they look like Keds.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone

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