At least the A's have been there to choke. And probably will this year too. Unless the offense gets hot they are going to be another first round and out.
michaelp wrote:Has Oakland established itself as an elite team in the American League West ?
Elite? No. Are they playing well? Yes, they are playing pretty well, but it's also a combination of everyone else playing badly. Saw on the game two days ago that the A's are dead last in batting average, and well towards the bottom of runs scored. In fact, I made a post a couple of days ago that showed their runs scored was exactly the same as their runs allowed.
So are the A's an elite team? Definitely not. Are they playing well and in a good spot to win the division? Yes. Which is not something I want to say since I'm a Ranger fan.
Not to mention the A's usually choke at the earliest September and in October if they're lucky to make it far. But this year, all 4 teams are practically still in reach of making a run at the pennant though. Just like the NL West.
The A's have been choking down the stretch, Oakland's other name is Chokeland. That's in the past though, Going out and acquiring clutch hitters will change things around(Thomas, Bradley). Those players will have an effect on winning ballgames. Bradley hitt a 3 run homerun off of Ryan. He might of been lucky with the fastball but BJ Ryan is a solid Closer.
Frank Thomas is a patient hitter with a high On base percentage of .381 and has raised his batting average 21 points since the All star break, and with a .523 slugging % he has shown he still has power.
Bottomline is the A's dont play like the old A's, they steal more, they play small ball more.
Yea the stats say the A's dont look good on paper but dont forget, Bradley, Harden have been Absent. If Oakland can stay healthy and have they players in the lineup and rotation everyday. The team will be better in time.
Well despite the loss today, the A's have been clicking recently. Swisher has recovered to full health and is starting to hit again, Thomas is on a roll, Bradley has been hot since his return, the A's bullpen is top notch and the starting rotation is very good. Who knows? The A's are no offensive powerhouses even if everybody is healthy. They win with pitching and defense and both are working right now.
I'd give the nod to the A's over the Rangers and Angels right now, but it's no sure bet. They probably will not go too far in the playoffs unless Harden, Crosby and Chavvy reach full health and perform like preseason expectations.
Madison wrote:Saw on the game two days ago that the A's are dead last in batting average, and well towards the bottom of runs scored.
This is definitely not a shot at you Mad, but I love how when game announcers are pointing out how horrible the A's offense is, they go straight to announcing "lowest batting average in the league". Runs is the best indication, why point out batting average? I'd go on to note the team's OPS and OBP before average. Why is baseball stuck in this rutt? I guess for the same reason they point at a pitcher's win/loss record before their ERA. It's just laziness and ignorance.
Madison wrote:Saw on the game two days ago that the A's are dead last in batting average, and well towards the bottom of runs scored.
This is definitely not a shot at you Mad, but I love how when game announcers are pointing out how horrible the A's offense is, they go straight to announcing "lowest batting average in the league". Runs is the best indication, why point out batting average? I'd go on to note the team's OPS and OBP before average. Why is baseball stuck in this rutt? I guess for the same reason they point at a pitcher's win/loss record before their ERA. It's just laziness and ignorance.
Oh I agree, so no worries there, just thought it was an interesting stat, and I forgot to mention a detail. They said the A's have the lowest batting average in the majors. Not just the league, the entire majors. They are 26th out of 30 in OBP, which isn't a whole lot better (just checked both stats, and they are accurate). Just one of those things you hear, doublecheck to make sure it's true, and then kinda go "wow" and start spot starting guys against the A's for the ERA/WHIP help.
Yes doctor, I am sick. Sick of those who are spineless. Sick of those who feel self-entitled. Sick of those who are hypocrites. Yes doctor, an army is forming. Yes doctor, there will be a war. Yes doctor, there will be blood.....
Madison wrote:Oh I agree, so no worries there, just thought it was an interesting stat, and I forgot to mention a detail. They said the A's have the lowest batting average in the majors. Not just the league, the entire majors. They are 26th out of 30 in OBP, which isn't a whole lot better (just checked both stats, and they are accurate). Just one of those things you hear, doublecheck to make sure it's true, and then kinda go "wow" and start spot starting guys against the A's for the ERA/WHIP help.
Cafe Home
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Basketball
Fantasy Hockey
by SlightlyStoopid » Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:49 pm 
Not to mention the A's usually choke at the earliest September and in October if they're lucky to make it far. 
But this year, all 4 teams are practically still in reach of making a run at the pennant though. Just like the NL West.
They are 26th out of 30 in OBP, which isn't a whole lot better (just checked both stats, and they are accurate). Just one of those things you hear, doublecheck to make sure it's true, and then kinda go "wow" and start spot starting guys against the A's for the ERA/WHIP help. 
