For those geographically challenged as to Florida, Dunedin is on the Gulf (actually Saint Joseph Sound, as there’s a barrier island out there) directly west of Tampa and north of St. Petersburg. A Rays-Jays road trip would be nice, aside from having to see games in the Trop. TD Ballpark is just a few hundred yards from the water and is 24 miles from Tropicana Field.
Welcome home, Marcus. 113 PA, a middling .228/.301/.416 with 6 homers. That’s not too far from last season’s .223/.305/.374.
The Jays throw three lefties at the A’s, plus one pitcher of undetermined arm. That last one won’t be Tommy Milone, as he was placed on the IL yesterday.
Tonight at 6:40: Montas vs. Steven Matz
Tuesday at 6:40: Irvin vs. Anthony Kay
Wednesday at 6:40: Bassitt vs. Robbie Ray
Thursday at 12:37: Fiers vs. TBA
I’m fine with phasing Ray off the telecasts but I wish they wouldn’t always inflict him on the radio audience when he’s not on TV.
I suppose Radio Ray is better than the Blue Jays’ broadcast, which is TV audio on the radio. It’s Dan Shulman and Pat Tabler tonight. I’ll listen for a few innings to see how that works.
This would be intolerable without video. They’re not describing every pitch, “as you can see” (when their telecast apparently had Semien’s family on screen), references to graphics. What a horrible way to save money. They do have Semien on their roster, but I wouldn’t want to trade Korach for Semien.
RFs must not be thrilled with this early start time.
Seeing the dogecoin nonsense on the same day as the article about how much Semien wanted to stay here and what a lowball offer the team made him is especially annoying.
that was from different days.
one of them is just traveling faster than light.
[Checks facts]
[Shrugs]
Marcus looks dumb in blue. Im not bitter at all.
Frankie looks ridiculously good in the early going…this probably means he’ll give up two homers next inning.
The Semien ovation got to me a bit and these things usually don’t. Pretty much everyone agrees that this one should not have gone that way except for the one fker who could’ve done something about it but doesn’t give a shit.
The ovation felt sincere, wish I’d be there to see it. Tomorrow though!
Matz vs. Matts
Mets Matz faced Matts too, but those Matts were Chapman and Joyce. Olson did appear in that game, but as a pinch-hitter after Matz left.
Bats heating up along with the weather.
I hope Chapman stops finding gloves.
The Jays lineup consists of guys they either just acquired or had indentured to them by their fathers
Plus Eric Sogard’s half-brother.
pardon?
Danny Jansen, the catcher, who leads off the 7th unless they pinch-hit. Tell me there’s not a resemblance.
I’m trying to remember who the last catcher was to wear glasses under the mask. Daryl Porter on the 82 Cardinals maybe.
brian downing same era
I was confused that Sogard was batting right handed and surprised he was on the Blue Jays. If he had come up batting left handed I would have been fooled.
Stop being a batting tee, Frankie.
He wasn’t getting hammered, but he sure wasn’t putting guys away either.
Exit velocities on three consecutive pitches:
Bichette: 106.2
Vlad Jr.: 110.2
Hernandez: 106.8
Someone mentioned Emerson being the problem. I’m starting to wonder if this is the case. The stuff and talent is always there. But the execution, adjustments, game plan for second/third time through the order all looks poor and a lot of this is where a pitching coach can make some impact.
This offense looks a hell of a lot better when they’re falling in for Jed.
Well, that’s a double if you didn’t just have the trainer out to check your knee.
If Im a catcher from now on I just throw the ball right in the middle of the runners back.
That’s exactly what catchers are told to do on that play. Bob had no argument; 5.09(a)(11) is real clear on that situation.
I must be smrter than I thunk!
this is a dump rule
Kemp has 10 walks in 46 PAs. Slashing .206/.400/.235.
He has one skill and he knows it. Players like that can be useful.
Unfortunately the one skill isn’t of much use when there’s runners on and the pitcher has to throw strikes.
Still outslugging Elvis.
Ramooooooon
I think Semien laid a “you motherfucker” or similar on him as he ran by.
Laureano is pretty good. Maybe we should trade him for Jon Lester.
Too soon
Lots of loud contact off Frankie but we made it through 6.
Why on earth did Tor bring in a LHP for this inning?
They have 6 lefties on their staff, and Shulman and Tabler were musing about likely unavailability of a couple of the relievers due to use the last couple days.
I wasn’t expecting a real answer that makes sense.
TOR manager probably also knew that if a couple of guys got on, Andrus and Kemp could bail him out.
I was asking myself why Kemp was allowed to hit there, then realized we have no righty hitters on the bench besides Aramis for Men.
It’s so bad I’m looking up Fiers’ batting stats (104 PA, .081/.081/.081).
I really wanted Cespedes this offseason to avoid this. Kemp has started so many games against lefties with Pinder out.
Why on earth are the A’s bringing Romo into a game with a two run lead?
Looking better…
And I actually don’t like Petit against this lineup.
Also, Romo basically moves up a notch to Wendelken’s spot.
Ed’s Wendelken-bashing notwithstanding, this progression will not end well
I have pointedly not commented about JB in the past few days
sounds like trivino next
Since I still have Baseball Savant up, that’s Vlad Jr.’s second >110 exit velocity of the night.
we need a suzuki not a semien
I’d even settle for a Spiezio
FFS
Dan and Pat are unsure whether A’s-killer Springer (leg soreness) is available to pinch-hit for Jansen.
jed was the last chance for insurance
Even a 4-pitch walk to Andrus costs them nothing.
I really wanted to see Chapman go little league and run over and call off El Vez from that pop up.
DieKKman!
He didn’t FK around there. A very authoritative appearance.
No Drama Diekman
well, that was satisfying. didn’t feel lucky
Rendon had to leave the game after fouling a ball off hos knee.
pujols at third and the rays did not bunt
Now I’m worried Pujols will hurt himself.
As we all expected after the first six games of the season, the A’s have the best record in the AL and the second best record in baseball. To the Giants of all teams.
I actually didn’t hate the idea of Marcus leaving. His bat is really not that good and his defense will fall off a cliff soon. That said, this dumpster fire we have going at SS is the worst position I can remember on a contending A’s team.
I can see not wanting to sign Marcus long-term, for the reasons you give. But given that he ended up taking a 1-year deal, and our own lack of other options at SS, the failure to make a competitive offer is really bad.
Even when Pinder comes back, they need to look for other options as upgrades over Elvis & Machin.
The only one I can think of that’s even close was 2014, when 2B was a combination of Sogard, Callaspo, and Punto, who all had OPS’s under .600. (And Callaspo also got 30+ starts at DH so we could get two of those bats in the lineup!) But even then, Sogard and Punto at least finished with positive WAR.
The end of 2006 with Jimenez, Kiger, etc. was also very bad but that was because of multiple injuries.
I just happened to look up the box score for a game I attended in 2006 at Yankee Stadium and I see the second baseman that night was something called Mike Rouse.
And there’s Antonio Perez, who also has a plaque on the wall of the Oakland Athletics Infield Hall of Shame.
Let’s try to forget some guys.
was that the same day steinbrenner had a horse named zito ran a race?
When the Blue Jays go out to paint the town after a great win in a day game they’re more likely to find this.
Hey, it’s minor league opening day! If Pete Kozma goes 2-4 tonight I say call him up.
AAA Opening Day isn’t until Thursday. AAA is playing 6-game series Thursday through Tuesday with every Wednesday off. AA, High A and Low A are all playing 6-game series Tuesday through Sunday with Mondays off.
And I wouldn’t be too surprised if that scheduling isn’t limited to 2021 Covid reasons and is retained. Playing 3 or 4 game series creates more travel expense, and having that off day every week allows AAA to be more flexible in scheduling flights (4:30 a.m. wakeup call after a night game and before a game that same night not necessary).
I’m a fan of the long series so I support this. I like the idea that you cant try to have x starter avoid y team. I know that is the last sort of consideration MLB would think of-actual game enjoyment-but it still is there.
Looking over the composition of these leagues, Fresno is not the only city to get a demotion, although theirs is pretty steep. The PCL Colorado Springs team moved to San Antonio after the 2018 season. San Antonio was in AAA for 2019, but now they are right back down in “AA Central”. San Antonio wouldn’t be geographically out of place in “AAA West”, which still includes Round Rock, but it looks like it succumbed to the Astros’ desire to be even closer to home in Sugar Land.
I have to remind myself that Stockton is Low A now, and the “Lansing Lugnuts” are our High A affiliate.
If Nick Allen or Logan Davidson goes 2-4 tonight…
the 40 roster is kinda tight. Every infielder is on the 26.
there is diechmann and barrera in the outfield, allen at c
pitchers are wandisson charles, holmes, jeffries, kaprilian, puk, , miguel ramero,
pinder, burch smith, JB on the IL (and rosenthal)
I don’t know anything about Diechmann other than he was in a lot of ST games. He seems like the only vulnerable player on the roster.
having to roll kemp, andrus and piscotty out there every day for the forseeable future seems like bad roster management.
Unless I’m miscounting, there’s a spot open with Rosenthal on the 60-day.
I’m resigned to Andrus for now, but I’d really rather replace Machin with someone useful.
Speaking of roster management, the three minor league batters on the 40-man all bat lefty, as does Machin of course. One good AAA week for Buddy Reed and I’m calling his switch-hitting ass up to get some balance going.
Yes, there is an opening. Guerra took Rosenthal’s spot, but then we lost Tom.
to be honest, I didn’t count
also, yes, machine for kozma/allen would be good right now
When we signed Kozma, I knew the name well enough that I thought he had been a regular in StL for a few years. But he was only a starter for one season, and his bat has always been terrible. (And, sure, “terrible” might be an upgrade now, but…)
I tried finding it during spring and couldn’t, but between 18 and 19 I advocated for trading semien and signing Kozma, and was bummed when kozma signed with the angels.
I mean, he got hurt and hasn’t really played since and marcus was pretty good in 19, so maybe don’t trust my judgement.
Point being, there just needs to be someone to spell andrus. It can’t be worse. (grant green notwithstanding)
Or your memory. Are you thinking of Cozart?
you are saying the same name
I really wanted Cozart with the plan of moving Semien to 2b. He’d always been an incredible SS defender and he had a little upside with the bat. Looks like he was released by SF in Feb 2020 pre-pandemic. He’s also nearly 36 now.
Cazart!
robert (@R____puason) Tweeted:
I’m ready ???????? https://t.co/naU2YBSsH8
Kozma 1-3 with 2 walks.
Good enough?
Yes.
but sky bolt?
Heading to the Coliseum tonight. Curious to see if/how they enforce against pregame parking lot beers. Don’t think I have been in the south/Hegenberger parking lot for at least 15 years.
South lot report: they’re still storing the extra football bleachers here. Security does not care about small groups drinking beer
The football seats should have a giant FREE! sign on them, like somebody’s hideous old couch.
It looks like Toronto’s TBA for Thursday afternoon will be Hyun-Jin Ryu, coming off the IL.
That would make it four left-handed starters in the series. With the four being Matz, Kay, Ray and Ryu, 13 letters covers an entire series. They can trade for Paul Goldschmidt and Mike Yastrzemski and the equipment manager will still have plenty of extra letters for NOB for any taxi-squad guys who get called up.
Michael Kay just referred to the *s as “the A’s.”
A fella could get used to a beer with a sippy cup lid.
Bregman throwing error leads to three runs and Maldonado getting knocked out of the game in a very awkward collision with Odor.
Heard live at the ballpark, to open the A’s first, Like A Virgin really actually works
Irvin is pretty fascinating – all his fielding independent indicators look great (K/9, K/BB, FIP, xFIP, etc). He’s second next to Manaea among starters in terms of FIP.
But he has the worst Statcast indicators among any A’s pitchers. By the stats that take into account quality of contact like xwOBA, he looks terrible. Other than guys who haven’t pitched much, only Guduan has been worse on the staff.
So which SSS is a better indicator of his true talent? I really don’t know.
The sample size did get larger tonight. He got a nice assist from the home plate umpire vs. Vlad Jr. in the 7th.
He just pounds the corners, doesn’t leave much over the plate but also doesn’t walk guys. Doesn’t even need to get every call, e.g. still would have been ahead 1-2 even if he didn’t get that one.
Maybe a team like the *s who can hit pitches off the plate for homers would still give him trouble, but he looks good to me.
Also, I discovered that statcast has a stat called xwOBACON.
I am in ancestral Sec 317, right below the camera Shack, no lie, and the window is open. Just sayin
Is that where the pruno is brewed?
So legend has it.
You may get out of there with plenty of time for a postgame restaurant experience.
I can’t imagine how terrible the MIF would be without Jed.
Same with the bullpen and Petit.
It didn’t look like Arneson’s arrows took the advertised 12 feet off Moreland’s ball.
I’m sorry, but Braden is good.
Soderstrom just hit a double in his first PA. He can probably outhit Garcia right now.
@lc, can we try him at SS?
Wait, so is baby Keebs their everyday C? My God..
He was splitting the job with Alejandro Kirk, but Kirk is hurt right now.
I haven’t seen Kirk. He’s listed at 5’8″, 265, which must be an impressive sight. I’m about 5’8-1/2″ and when I let it get over 200 I’m a FKing blimp.
That is very much in “Fat tub of goo” territory.
I could give you a good image of it but my camera isnt working at the moment. Related I really need to skip 2nd breakfast tomorrow.
He’s fun to watch, proof that good hitters can be any shape.
Oh, no doubt. We just saw Willians Astudillo, whom the Twins have listed at 5’9″, 225. 5’8″, 265 is another order of magnitude.
God, Machin sucks.
JFC Machin, you’re a fringe roster spot, you have a chance, a first pitch off side hatchet swing double play ball?
Irvin has gone 2-1 in his last 2 starts according to NBCSN. Thats damn impressive.
wow
The top of the 6th was lowlighted, not by Semien’s RBI double, but by Fosse’s rendition of The Four Seasons’ “Working My Way Back To You”. Yes, really.
Irvin good
His fastball/changeup command has been so spot on tonight. Maybe some other A’s starters could learn something from this.
Short of the extinct complete game, that’s pretty good to score 4 runs and win without even getting your usual 8th and 9th inning guys warmed up.
what did cole mean “gsrcia-when he is healthy?”
still don’t know but
I’m going with Garcia hurt his face on Luzardo’s finger.
thinking about kenley jansen being the dodgers emergency catcher
And done before 9! I had to go pick up Lil Miss Aces from work and came back to a recap
Downright Mulderesque.
This comment made me check whether Mulder’s Twitter account has chilled out at all. Sadly, no.
Home at 9:30 from a night game, weird
Also a nice game. Tense enough, but not overly so. Felt good
Also a nice game. Tense enough, but not overly so. Felt good
OK…
Great, can he play SS?
bats right or switch – plays a position of need – is major league quality
choose one
so that is the 40th player, yeah?
Can we just call him matt carson so I don’t have to remember who he is?
I just hope he doesn’t bring our vaccination numbers down.
uhg. no kidding
Friggin ignorant Tar Heels.
I’m personally offended that his avatar on the A’s 40-man roster page has him wearing a Giants cap. That shouldn’t have taken more than about 10 minutes to correct.
Ed and Mundy bait:
missed so many, but yeah, nutshell
Oh no.
(I’ll confess that i did not know of this particular rule either but then I’m not a hall of fame big league manager.)
People don’t know all the rules, and it is his fault, but it’s also his fault for not having a staff that know the rules
Two Americans to contest the Champions League final. One is the backup goalkeeper, but the other just sweetly delivered the dagger assist to send Real Madrid packing.
John Means pitching well in Seattle.
Upgrading this to very well.
Feeling better about the 3 runs in 13 innings we scored against him.
Oh, not a perfecto because of a K/WP then erased by a CS.
Last Oriole no-hitter was 1991 against the A’s.
Last Oriole complete game no-hitter was Jim Palmer 1969 against the A’s.
Man, that’s sort of a rough way to not get a perfect game. Possibly a cross up.
Vaguely reminiscent of the way Rodon lost his perfecto last month.
Vaguely, but much harsher since this pitch was good enough to get a swing.
is there a list of teams that have reached 85%? Do you think the A’s haven’t because fisher won’t supply the free shots?
If they would just feed the vending machine…
forgot ken has the nght off
sigh
Ramon
Robbie Ray needs the next size up in baseball pants. The definition of buttcrack exceeds our community norms.
No bigger thrill than a 2 out hit to avoid having El Vez screw up the next inning too!
1 pitch GO to start the 5th. Jesus if you’re going to be completely hopeless, at least try to contribute by taking some pitches. Allen just managed a 6 pitch GO.
How I want every A’s vs Astros series to start.
More than 400 PIM that game, right?
I remember Austin Allen getting two big hits last year (a go ahead home run, and a game tying single in extra innings against the *s). I’m pretty sure those were his only two hits period.
Ray’s attire really is ass forward.
@fsu, just need the horn rimmed glasses and it could be Slapshot.
Really gotta question how that guy got the giant noisemaker in the building.
It’s hard to believe any AL position could be worse offensively than Oakland SS, but I think Toronto-Dunedin-Buffalo C manages to grab that.
TBD C: .114/.220/.239 (they did have Kirk for a while)
Min LF: .139/.214/.168
Oak SS: .146/.204/.175
Det 2B: .149/.216/.158
But the winner is
Det DH: .109/.183/.173
LOL, I was just doing it intuitively based on observation in this series, didn’t think I would really have two of the top five. Also…DH? really?
Miguel Cabrera is one of the culprits there.
well, ray, vince, if piscotty was a plus outfielder the A’s would ahve the lead
You don’t run on Austin Allen.
Fosse play by play time…
lights have taken effect
How dare he.
Fosse is very bad at this. Someone who makes decisions about these things should be made aware of how bad he is at this.
Walking the terrible 9th hitter ahead of Semien/Bichette/Guerrero Jr, let’s see how this turns out.
Not great.
thus far, i don’t like this inning
Lou didn’t get any help from Allen, but the fact is Lou is three steps forward and then three steps back.
Yeah not on the Trivino train. Every outing seems like a struggle.
better the 8th than the 9th for my peace of mind. Also, brandon lowe hit a 3 run home run at the same time flipping the game to a 3-1 angels deficit to lower my anxiety
In retrospect, Bassitt at 90 pitches should’ve at least been allowed to go batter to batter. Trivino/Diekman is really not at the point where we should just confidently turn it over to them.
wow. fosse called it
I have been on the Lou train, but that is because I have hoped for 2 years to get 2018 Lou back. Seemed like there were 2-3 really strong games, but yeah it has been a BP test for the last week or 2. I dont want Deikman there so I would love to figure out the hidden jewel on some waiver wire.
The bullpen has been getting it done somehow, but I don’t think anyone here is surprised by an outing like this. Along with SS, this is the position that he need to upgrade badly.
indeed
the jays need to use their closer now right?
are the tv guys are worried olson didn’t touch the plate as vince and ray?
I didn’t see the ump ever make the safe sign, but I don’t think the tv guys mentioned it.
On replay it did look like he got his fingers in.
Pretty big difference between the better end of the bullpen and the Weems-Kolarek-Guerra-Guduan part, and it’s not good that I’m putting Romo on the plus side of that.
I would switch Guerra and Romo for sure.
It was nice to see the batters get some hits and score some runs in multiple innings. I like how bassit and irvin held the jays batters down.
As stated, we never really expected trivino to be 2018 trivino.
meh. Hopefully the bats come out tomorrow in support of fiers, There is no way the jays stay under 7 runs.
Fiers on a day game? We should have planned for that.
Agreed on the bullpen needing another piece or 2 (or 4). I wonder if when Jesus returns he should get some time in the pen.
At the risk of being struck down where I stand: Puk
Totally agree once he gets past flat ground.
*whomse
Big righty bat on the market!
I’m surprised they weren’t able to reach a face-saving deal where Albert would retire and be celebrated, rather than being cut.
I’ll bet he still thinks he can produce and hopes some other team picks him up. Or maybe he has a deal to go and retire in St. Louis. Otherwise, yeah, that would seem like a dick move by the Scioscias.
Maybe, I mean, he’s not going to move up any further on the all time HR list, he passed Willie Mays and is 29 behind A-Rod. And perhaps he’s got that gym rat love the game can’t stop playing thing but if so he’s not vocal about it.
From March:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2021/03/03/albert-pujols-700-home-run-club-retire/6903094002/
Rich Hill has as much a chance of hitting 33 more home runs as Albert Pujols does.
La Russa
Only 2 career innings at SS, but lots of experience at 3B if we move Chapman over.
it would be a boost of production
With K% continuing to rise across the league, his career GDP record (15%+ higher than Cal Ripken at #2) is looking like an unbreakable record.
Looks like internet is kaput here for much of the afternoon so my Fiery fate will have to wait until this evening. Have fun.
Not even enough phone signal to get iheartradio to run?
Oh, I could do that or SiriusXM but it’s plenty warm enough that I should be outdoors anyway. I’ll watch it tonight.
lucky. fiers both won and lost for you all afternoon
The state says we’re headed for another awful wild Fiers season, could get ugly.
Dave Stewart says Chapman looks good at the plate and has a solid idea of what he wants to do. I guess you need a special ex-big leaguer cheatcode to see that because to me Chapman looks lost and resorting to guess hitting.
I feel like he’s always been a guesser, and has managed to have some good results with it.
That’s true, but when he’s going well he makes better educated guesses for the specific location/count/situation. Maybe he’s closer to that today, I hope so, not convinced yet.
Jonah Heim HR.
Sigh. (Though his numbers are pretty bad.)
Crisp home whites, beautiful sunny-not-hot day, I am having non-ticket buyer’s remorse.
I was on the edge, then a client went and got arrested tuesday
Canha get a leadoff jack? Yes I Canha!
Ray says Bill King was a “glutton for food.”
Reminds me of this classic.
K/TOOTBLAN DP!
I’m not sure it’s fair to record a TOOTBLAN there, since the K was so improbable.
I dont see how any of that can overturn the call on the field, right…RIGHT???
I always want to yell at Fiers to throw strikes. Then I remember if he does they will quickly be in the parking lot.
Indeed.
Meanwhile Gameday still has not acknowledged that the pickoff happened at all, and has the score as 4-1.
Bats trying to keep Fiers in it for a bit.
Now we’re gonna need El Vez to go deep.
Deep into the count? Like 5 pitches?
Sure, I’ll settle for that.
Elvis again has a single digit wRC+.
I am curious what Elvis would have done with the pitch Fiers threw to Sogard.
The resistible force vs the moveable object?
4 hour pace. Still a close game, but Soaker chose wisely.
It was pretty easy to pick the moment to bail on the replay and head straight to the final box score.
Turning the game off early was an earth-shaking move, apparently.
6.0
My phone sent an alert that said 6.0, but USGS now says 4.7.
Yeah, it wasn’t much more than a window-rattler here.
Didn’t feel any shaking other than my phone’s vibrate on the desk.
Cant leave this team alone to go to a single meeting…
Four hits including a tater for Marcus. Good for him.
On a different note, it’s interesting to see a team make a bunch of mistakes yet not to let them sprial into certain defeat.
Go off, Marcus. I stopped feeling anything a while ago.
Oh please, let him get healthy.
We’re back at 100 percent capacity for most businesses and it’s odd going in a place that’s actually full (In-N-Out). I took my burger outside to the tables out there.
Currently waiting out my 15 minutes after Pfizer #2.
Congrats. Hope your day 2 symptoms weren’t too bad.