A's @ Royals AL Wild Card Game Thread

[Spacemans Bong]

Because the A's don't want to lose on a Lorenzo Cain inside the park home run to left field.

 

[JohntheBaptist]

 
How the hell does Fuld get the start in LF over Adam Dunn?

Another game, another day with knuklecup's vision unrealized.
 
Shame.

 

[Kilgore A. Trout]

If you have mlb.tv, you can see the games live. No luck if you are in the states, where you have to wait until 90 minutes after the game.

Use zenmate and set it to UK or wherever and you can use mlb.tv throughout the entire playoffs.  At least it worked fine for me for all the Yankees games.

 

[Kilgore A. Trout]

And also-

 

[Harry Hooper]

Lester does have a bit of a "likes what he's used to" streak in him, so him throwing to a catcher who's never caught him in a game will be interesting to watch.

 

[canderson]

Excited to watch the two biggest Boston offseason signings pitch against each other tonight.

 

[ledsox]

The Royals like to run.  Does Lester make his first pick off attempt to 1st since April 2013?

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

The Royals like to run.  Does Lester make his first pick off attempt to 1st since April 2013?

 
Interesting stat via Buster Olney...
 
Left handed starters stolen bases against and number of pick-off attempts made by each pitcher:
 
Cole Hamels 19 SB / 85 PO attempts
Francisco Liriano 19 SB / 69 PO attempts
Scott Kazmir 18 SB / 63 PO attempts
Jon Lester 16 SB / 0 PO attempts
 
Makes you wonder how effect pick off throws really are at slowing down the running game.
 
https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/517001990770286592

 

[Lowrielicious]

 
Interesting stat via Buster Olney...
 
Left handed starters stolen bases against and number of pick-off attempts made by each pitcher:
 
Cole Hamels 19 SB / 85 PO attempts
Francisco Liriano 19 SB / 69 PO attempts
Scott Kazmir 18 SB / 63 PO attempts
Jon Lester 16 SB / 0 PO attempts
 
Makes you wonder how effect pick off throws really are at slowing down the running game.
 
https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/517001990770286592

that is amazing. why wouldn't runners just be going first move on him every time? Is he that fast to the plate that it doesn't matter?
 
Maybe runners are all caught in the gamblers fallacy that he hasn't picked off in so long that he must be due to do so any pitch now...

 

[William Robertson]

Since the game hasn't started, could someone please give me a quick one-sentence summary of why the cool kids hate the Dodgers?

 

[Pearl Wilson]

Scouts told Olney that Lester has had problems throwing to bases this year. What scouts, I wonder.
 
And how does that even happen? Isn't that like saying a great chef is having problems making oatmeal? 

 

[Laser Show]

Since the game hasn't started, could someone please give me a quick one-sentence summary of why the cool kids hate the Dodgers?

For me, it's mostly Carl Crawford and their Yankee like ignorance of a budget. But I don't hate them much - I have a close friend who is a Dodgers fan who deserves to see a title and Kershaw in the World Series would be wonderful.

 

[Harry Hooper]

Scouts told Olney that Lester has had problems throwing to bases this year. What scouts, I wonder.
 
And how does that even happen? Isn't that like saying a great chef is having problems making oatmeal? 

 
I don't follow you. Lester does indeed have some issues throwing to bases.

 

[TheYaz67]

Since the game hasn't started, could someone please give me a quick one-sentence summary of why the cool kids hate the Dodgers?

 
Because LA, and they have become the West Coast version of the Yankees in payroll terms - do you need more than two reasons?
 
And poor Adam Dunn if the A's lose this game - what if he goes on to play 5 or 6 more years and never again sniffs the playoffs?  Would suck to be stuck with the memory of being on the bench for the one playoff game of your career....

 

[shawnrbu]

EJ, Darling and Cal calling the game for TBS.
 
Would have rather seen the return of DO and Eck.  They were great during the A's/Tigers series last season.

 

[BornToRun]

Since the game hasn't started, could someone please give me a quick one-sentence summary of why the cool kids hate the Dodgers?

Carl Crawford.

 

[DJnVa]

 
I can't tell whether this ranking is just based on your personal preferences, or your assessment of the merits of each team. If it's the latter, man, are you underrating the Orioles.
 
Speaking of the Orioles, when was the last time an AL East Division winner (and by 12 games!) is not even considered a top 2-3 favourite to win it all? They've been underrated all year - I can see them sneaking into the World Series.

 
This isn't your father's AL East.

 

[DJnVa]

KC hit 95 HRs on the season, with 3 players accounting for more than half of those. Crazy.

 

[Laser Show]

 
Because LA, and they have become the West Coast version of the Yankees in payroll terms - do you need more than two reasons?
 
And poor Adam Dunn if the A's lose this game - what if he goes on to play 5 or 6 more years and never again sniffs the playoffs?  Would suck to be stuck with the memory of being on the bench for the one playoff game of your career....

I thought I read that Dunn was retiring after this season? Which of course would make it worse.

 

[bankshot1]

Since the game hasn't started, could someone please give me a quick one-sentence summary of why the cool kids hate the Dodgers?

I think its a Boston-LA thing.

 

[BornToRun]

My level of annoyance at the "Big Game James" monicker grows exponentially every time an announcer utters it.

 

[Luis Taint]

Post season baseball

 

[bankshot1]

who are the cool kids rooting for in this one?

 

[Kilgore A. Trout]

My level of annoyance at the "Big Game James" monicker grows exponentially every time an announcer utters it.

You'll love it next spring.

 

[BornToRun]

Post season baseball

Just go watch some 2013 highlights on YouTube. That's what I do.

 

[DJnVa]

My level of annoyance at the "Big Game James" monicker grows exponentially every time an announcer utters it.

 
Especially since his last 2 starts are: 9.1 IP, 12 H, 11 ER

 

[BornToRun]

 
Especially since his last 2 starts are: 9.1 IP, 12 H, 11 ER

This sums it up. It wouldn't really bother me too much if it was actually earned.

 

[William Robertson]

Thanks for the answers to my query. Now to the game.

 

[DJnVa]

who are the cool kids rooting for in this one?

 
I think they go both ways with a slight KC preference. The Royals are pretty cool, with George Brett and all, and you have Lester going for Oakland, but Oakland/Boston have some postseason history.

 

[Laser Show]

yea Dunn is most likely retiring 
 
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24689627/adam-dunn-likely-to-retire-after-2014-season

 

[MakMan44]

yea Dunn is most likely retiring 
 
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24689627/adam-dunn-likely-to-retire-after-2014-season

I think he walked back from that. 
 
 
https://twitter.com/JohnSheaHey/status/506957166599622656
 
Dunn on retirement: “Obviously, things have changed now. I owe it to myself to put that on the back burner for at least a couple months.”

 

[BornToRun]

Dunn looks like someone shot his dog.

 

[bankshot1]

 
I think they go both ways. The Royals are pretty cool, with George Brett and you have Lester going for Oakland.

I like both teams. The Lester-Sox West element has me pulling for them.

 

[MakMan44]

I find it incredibly strange that Sam Fuld is batting 2nd

 

[DJnVa]

I like both teams. The Lester-Sox West element has me pulling for them.

 
Yeah, but I just have a soft spot for the Royals from the early to mid-80s. Brett, Willie Wilson, Amos Otis, Quisenberry. Outside of the Red Sox, I remember watching them as I was just learning about baseball.

 

[DJnVa]

Well damn, Big Game James.

 

[BornToRun]

Big Game James!

 

[Al Zarilla]

Moss! 

 

[Harry Hooper]

Clean and jerk executed nicely by Moss.

 

[bankshot1]

Big Game

 

[Greg29fan]

Big Lame James strikes again

 

[William Robertson]

That will put a smile on Jon's face.

 

[BoSoxFink]

Since when does James Shields throw 96 MPH?

 

[Harry Hooper]

Tape-measure shot? Let's not go overboard.

 

[scotian1]

Great to see the ex Red Sox with the 2 run homer.

 

[MakMan44]

Since when does James Shields throw 96 MPH?

SINCE STEROIDS!!!!!!!!! /P91

 

[JimBoSox9]

Tape-measure shot? Let's not go overboard.

 
It ain't Yankee Stadium, you've gotta hit it outta there

 

[Al Zarilla]

Remember when Jon hit 96 - 97 in game one vs. the Devil Rays? Let's see tonight. 

 

[DJnVa]

Jesus, with the former Sox---Crisp scores a run, knocked in by Moss, and now Lester pitching and first hitter goes off Lowrie's glove...crazy.

 

[BornToRun]

Remember when Jon hit 96 - 97 in game one vs. the Devil Rays? Let's see tonight. 

That was so awesome to watch. He K'd the first 4 Rays if I remember correctly.